Dr. Adnan comes from a family that values higher education.

"Both of my grandfathers were lawyers. My Dad has a master's in geology and my uncles are doctors," he said. "Many of my grandfather's brothers are doctors and still practicing. I finally decided to choose to become a doctor."

Gastroenterology interested him from the start.

"I love that it's a specialty in which you prevent disease and also manage complex problems," he said. "We address a wide array of diseases from the mouth and stomach to the pancreas, liver, colon and spleen."

Dr. Adnan treats his patients like they are family.

"I call them on the phone when it's needed. I've been told I am a patient listener, so I try to listen to the problems first before jumping up and recommending my plan to the patient," he said. "I try to involve them in their care as much as possible."

Dr. Adnan and his wife have two young children, a son and a daughter, who keep them busy. But in his spare time, he enjoys planning tennis and also loves to barbecue on occasion.

"When I can, I volunteer sometimes at a local free clinic to serve the people who don't have insurance," he said.