The Quinn family has been caring for their community for two generations. Thomas Quinn Sr., MD, and his twin children, Thomas Quinn Jr., MD, and Kristina Quinn Degesys, MD, are physicians who all practice at Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital.

Dr. Degesys, also a cardiologist, began working at Palos Hospital in 2020; Dr. Quinn Jr., a pulmonologist, began working at Palos Hospital in 2021. They note how much their father’s work has affected the community and feel inspired by that. But they never felt pressure to pursue medicine. Instead, their love of medicine was inevitable.

“We saw how much our dad loved his job and how much he cared for his patients,” says Dr. Degesys. “Seeing his passion for medicine made becoming a physician a natural path.”

Dr. Quinn Jr., changed paths from engineering to medicine in college. “I saw how he got to help people by using what he knew to impact families directly, and that influenced me to become a physician. I wanted to use my skills to help patients, too.”

“The reality is that medicine changes over time, so I don’t think it’s fair to provide preconceived notions to what things are going to be like. Instead, I tried to emphasize the positive and fun aspects,” explains Dr. Quinn Sr. 

The trio is able to provide remarkable care by working in the same hospital, which allows them to share some of the same patients and collaborate with each other. “Even though we’re in different specialties, we do see each other quite often,” says Dr. Quinn Jr. He says a lot of cases involve both pulmonology and cardiology in the ICU, allowing the Quinns to cross paths nearly every day.

“Getting to work next to my dad, shoulder-to-shoulder with him as a mentor, is an incredible opportunity I just couldn’t pass up,” says Dr. Degesys, who says she never hesitates to seek advice from her father. “I find it exceptionally invaluable to have my dad being able to guide me through my first few years as a cardiologist. He is, in essence, not just a great cardiologist, but a teacher. He thrives in that setting.”

Dr. Quinn Sr. feels the same about his children. “I learn as much from them as they learn from me,” he explains. “It’s a very rewarding way to keep your skills up. As a dad, I really enjoy seeing who they’ve become — what kind of people they are and how smart they are. To have them come back to practice in the community we raised our family in is very fulfilling. And it’s fun working together.”