Perhaps that is what keeps doctors, especially those in family practice who have regular contact with their patients, dedicated to living up to the image those patients have of them, no matter the toll on themselves.   But are these same doctors urging their sons and daughters to follow in their footsteps?

Sadly, the days of multigenerational physicians may be coming to an end.  And losing that culture of understanding the life of a doctor and choosing it still will be one that cannot be replaced.

We have long wondered what could be accomplished if doctors really began talking to each other.  Some believe that, as a unified group, doctors could bring about change rather quickly.  Standing alone, fiercely independent, is still just the power of one, regardless of how determined, how brilliant.

There are signs afoot that doctors are turning to one another.  We'd like to be a vehicle, a facilitator of that process.

We are mailing to all of you who we can find in our area of Southside Hampton Roads and Northeastern North Carolina.  We invite you to reach out to each other in our pages and on our web site at DoctorTo DoctorMagazine.com.  Tell us what you want to know.  Send us your thoughts, photos, meetings.

Perhaps your children can follow in your footsteps after all.