Some passions run deep through the generations. Just look at the Sevensmas.

Since the turn of the century-approximately four generations-there has been a Sevensma practicing medicine in the Grand Rapids area. Some have been MDs, optometrists and nurses. Recently, in the last decade or so, there has been a fair share of Sevensma osteopathic physicians-all students at one time or another at MSUCOM.

Since the turn of the century-approximately four generations-there has been a Sevensma practicing medicine in the Grand Rapids area. Some have been MDs, optometrists and nurses. Recently, in the last decade or so, there has been a fair share of Sevensma osteopathic physicians-all students at one time or another at MSUCOM.

Meet Susan Sevensma, DO (Class of 1982), a family practice physician and program director for the Family Practice Residency at Metropolitan Hospital. Her daughter, Karlin Sevensma, DO (Class of 1997), is the chief surgical resident at Metropolitan Hospital. Dr. Karlin Sevensma's cousin, Matthew Sevensma, DO (Class of 1999), is a third year resident in internal medicine at Metropolitan Hospital. His younger brother, Eric Sevensma, is a member of MSUCOM's Class of 2003.

In many cases a high-achieving family in the same profession could be intimidating, but the Sevensmas reveal that there has never been pressure to follow the family tradition. What there has been, they say, is the respect created by quiet example.

"My mother had a tremendous impact on me going into medicine," Dr. Karlin Sevensma says. "But she never pressured me; it was always what she did that was more influential than what she said." Dr. Karlin Sevensma was eight years old when her mother started medical school, and she says her interest in medicine was piqued after playing patient so her mother could practice OMM. Dr. Karlin Sevensma also remembers her grandfather, Eugene Sevensma, MD, using manual medicine.

"My grandfather was an MD, but he was interested in manipulation," Dr. Karlin Sevensma remembers. "I know he touched his patients and was a very hands-on physician."

Dr. Matt Sevensma also traces his interest in medicine back to his family. In addition to the optometry practice of his father, he remembers how he and his little brother Eric were fascinated by living things at an early age. "Eric and I used to spend hours outside, playing with crayfish, snakes, animals the cat had caught-you name it. I think this was the beginning of my interest in biology and then, much later, medicine."

For Eric Sevensma (Class of 2003), his family has shown him the importance of compassionate physician-patient relationships. "I have watched my aunt, my cousin and my brother and have seen the kind of physicians they have become," Mr. Sevensma states proudly. "They take the time to get to know their patients and interact with them as more than just physicians with jobs to do. That's the kind of DO I want to be."