Claire Ducharme Wilson

— 5th — (1978) Jimmy Carter

My four years at Harvard Medical School were stimulating though not as encouraging of creativity as college was. Internship is grueling but also rewarding. My husband Roy, a systems analyst, and I bought a "piece of America" in Reading where we've happily settled down to raise a small garden, a dog and a cat.

— 10th — (1983) Ronald Reagan

Practicing as a pediatrician specializing in adolescents has made my past five years quite challenging. I am presently at Phillips Academy in Andover, working as school doctor and involved with some teaching of the students, also. My favorite person, husband Roy, and I adopted an infant girl from Korea two years ago and are in the process of adopting a second child. Life remains full and happy for us all.

— 15th — (1988) Ronald Reagan

Since 1983, I have made several moves, but now finally feel settled. In 1984, I left my position as medical director at Phillips Academy and joined a group practice of pediatricians. It is the perfect job, allowing me time for family and time to teach at Children's Hospital in Boston, with a wonderful staff, good associates, and nice patients. Roy and I bought a 200-year-old house three years ago and have had fun rehabilitating the house and gardens.

Kristen is seven and Mark, five, came from Korea in May, 1983. They are delightful and energetic. Because of Kris, I am now on the local PTA board and local arts school board. Life has been busy, but blessed and good.

— 25th — (1998) Bill Clinton

I GUESS the past twenty-five years have been pretty straightforward for me. I love being a pediatrician and am blessed with a wonderful practice and group of patients and families. After a year, I am finally settling into being the department chair at Lahey Hitchcock in Burlington, Massachusetts. Playing ball with the big boys has been fun, and having some control of my professional destiny is not all bad! My biggest support and fan is my husband Roy. We like to travel and talk and putter around the house together. We recently downsized from a two-hundred-year old, fourteen-room house to an almost new nine-room abode, with much less yard work to do. Small and new are great!

Kristen is seventeen and going to college in the fall of '98. She is a delight, loves music and life in general, and I'll miss her tremendously. Mark is fifteen and definitely his own person. He has taught me a lot about learning disabilities and being an advocate for a child. These two keep my spare time full. My mother who lived with us for many years developed Alzheimer's disease and went to a nursing facility three years ago. This was probably the worst time of my life and again I learned so much that I did not want to know from that experience. Time to be with friends and relatives is cherished and is the only thing I regret not having more of. Sometimes life is too busy, but I am trying to keep focused on what is nourishing to me and those that mean the most to me. I think of my undergraduate days with fond memories and am happy with how things have turned out for me.

— 35th — (2008) George W. Bush

Each day is a new adventure, though the routine stays the same. My previous employer, Lahey Clinic, decided to close its pediatric department, and we all found a new home at Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, a large group of individual practices in the Boston area. That move was almost four years ago and I am very satisfied and happy doing community pediatrics there. Roy and I moved to Lowell, a rejuvenated city north of Cambridge. We have been remodeling an old Victorian once owned by a mill owner/inventor. There is theater, academics (UMass Lowell), volunteer opportunities, and great neighborhoods.

We remain healthy and spend spare(?) time with family and friends.

— 40th — (2013) Barack Obama

I retired from private group pediatric practice last July. I enjoyed my practice, partners, staff, and patients, but felt I wanted to try other "journeys." I am presently interested in patient and family-centered care and will be starting on a consulting position soon.

I have more time now to visit family and friends, and I try things I only talked about: photography, videography, cooking (gasp), quilting, volunteering, and more. I have found that retirement does need some structure and meaning. No surprise.

Children still keep us busy. Kris is a fabulous nurse, runner, and international volunteer for medical missions. Mark still struggles with his high-functioning autism but is out on his own with support services and good friends. No grandchildren in site, but many great-nieces and nephews keep us content.