CHICAGO (CBS) — Meet a doctor whose resume spans decades. Congress recently recognized Dr. Lily Hussein as the physician who has served the longest at one hospital, and as one of the nation’s longest-serving female physicians.
Hussein is a fifth generation physician, and is celebrating her 87th birthday on Friday. Many people say she’s a legend and then some.
Known affectionately as “Doc,” she’s an oncologist just completing her 55th year at Stroger Hospital of Cook County in Chicago.
What is it about her that makes her keep working at her age?
“What do you mean at my age? You are insulting me now,” she said with a laugh.
Point taken. At 87 years young, “Doc” is still going strong.
“She’s the biggest asset you could have,” said Dr. Claudia Fegan, chief medical officer at Stroger Hospital. “In a field like oncology, where a lot of your patients don’t make it, being able to get up every day and bring a positive light to be able to keep doing it is incredible.”