Yolanda Becker: Being a transplant surgeon, I get to help people have a new life. With one operation, I get to change their lives. Helping people find meaning through organ donation is also very rewarding- we can offer comfort so that even in death your loved one can still help someone else! It's a big job, there's a lot to it, and you do have to make choices. Even if I could make different choices, I would still make the same choices- because it is always worth it. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy. It's rare and wonderful to be able to offer respite from misery to people, and I love that.

Yolanda Becker: One of the things I struggle with all the time is balance. Where do I want to be in 25 years? I'm very dedicated to my family and kids, and I constantly want to make sure that I can be there for my family! I worry that it might be easier for my kids if I could be at home all the time but I work because I love what I do. The balance between personal and professional and the expectations I have for myself and the people around me. I hate to feel like I am letting anyone down.

Yolanda Becker: There's always new discoveries and new medications that come on board that help transplants last longer, medications with fewer side effects. Knowledge is really exploding- and being able to share that knowledge globally is amazing.

Yolanda Becker: I grew up in New Orleans, my parents still live there! I went to Tulane for college and I was on the Homecoming Court!

Yolanda Becker: I play the piano, and I used to ride horses!

Yolanda Becker: Never be afraid to buy a good pair of shoes! Shoes are your friend! You never have too many pairs of black shoes. You have to dress the part, look good and feel good! Something that makes you feel amazing and smile! I paint my toenails, and I do nail art on my big toe, because that makes me feel good! There's nothing wrong with enjoying being a girl.

Yolanda Becker: I read about a book a week- recently I've read The Nerd Girls with my daughter and The Name of this Book is Secret with my son, and an Amy Tan novel. The book on my nightstand is The Valley of the Amazement. _I love Gone with the Wind!

Yolanda Becker: People Magazine! I read it every Friday.

Yolanda Becker: "Adversity is a constant, but misery is a choice." _John Tarpley, my mentor. _My mom who is an engineer- and she was one of the only moms growing up who worked. I was always so proud of her and she would tell me- nothing good comes easy, keep going! There were really no barriers in the world, except the ones I put out. And she really taught me that- and gave me a level of confidence that she was always there behind me.