When Dr. Vanessa Foster received an opportunity to work at the same hospital where her son was born, she jumped at the chance. "This community is my community," she says. "I'm from the East 95th Street area and grew up on the southeast side of Chicago."

At a very young age, she knew that she wanted to be a doctor, specifically to deliver babies. "I feel like my ancestors were midwives because my desire to do this seemed innate," she says.

Dr. Foster considers it an honor to be at the threshold of life when delivering a new baby into the world. And during appointments with her, the goal is to always make sure patients leave with more knowledge than they had when they came in.

When not in the delivery room, she enjoys writing, cooking and entertaining.