Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

I personally am celebrating my family history as a fourth generation Hispanic physician. I was able to learn a lot about the practice of medicine from their example:

• My parents, Drs. Raul and Alicia Lopez-Guerra of Corpus Christi.
• My grandfather Dr. Raul Lopez-Guerra. He was a physician in Fort Worth during the Great Depression, and was well known for helping the less fortunate in his practice.
• And my great-grandfather Francisco Lopez, who was a physician in the Neuvo Leon/Guanajuato area of Mexico.

Roxana Rhodes, MD