Anything is Possible
Doctor John Reyes comes not just from a family of doctors, but from a family of six Ob/Gyns.— John, his wife Ingrid, his father, his sister, his brother and sister-in-law, together have delivered over 20,000 babies! The remarkable story of this family begins with one man’s determined dream in Colombia, South America.
John’s father believed in the opportunities of America and came to this country over forty years ago with a “backpack and a dream.” “He didn’t know a word of English, so before he could study, he had to learn the language,” shares John. John’s father was determined to become a doctor practicing in America in order to provide for his children the education and opportunity that he himself had lacked in Colombia. “He gave up living with his family to create a better life for us. My mother worked hard taking care of us until my father was able to bring the whole family to live with him.” After successfully completing residency training in Ob/Gyn and advanced training in Gyn Oncology in New York City, he once again took a chance on opportunity and moved the family to East Texas. He opened his practice as the only Ob/Gyn in town and has been in solo practice ever since, over forty years now. John’s father modeled for his children that everything is possible with hard work and persistence. This was the biggest lesson John learned from his father, “Anything is possible.”
John moved to New York City where his father was in training when he was five years old, not knowing any English. He had to learn both the language and culture quickly once starting school, and was encouraged by his parents to learn the language, do well in school, and always stand up for who he was. “I’m always surprised when people give me praise for my accomplishments, like learning a new language and culture on my own,” he says. “My family came from humble beginnings, and we were taught to work hard and never give up.” John’s mother taught her children that each challenge was a mountain to climb, and overcoming mountains was just part of life.
After the family moved to East Texas, John got the opportunity to see why his father had sacrificed so much. John saw the pride his father had in caring for his patients and being a part of his community and knew that he also wanted to be a doctor. John completed medical school at the University of Nebraska and finished his residency training at St. Louis University. During his residency, he met his wife, Dr. Ingrid Reyes, who was finishing medical school. Ingrid came from a family of similar values where hard work and determination was always encouraged. John and Ingrid had the same philosophy about family values and how to practice medicine. As John says, “We both knew we had something special the first time we met. We complement each other perfectly.”
John and Ingrid opened Modern Obstetrics & Gynecology of North Atlanta in the Emory Johns Creek Physicians Plaza in October 2010, and their patient base has grown quickly. John shares how important it is to their practice to serve the community they are in. “We are always pushing ourselves for how to give the best care possible. Ingrid and I wanted to know how we best serve the women of Johns Creek, North Fulton, and South Forsyth. We seek to provide the best technology and updated medicine, while preserving one-on-one service. The community has embraced our practice, and we are very grateful.” Modern Obstetrics & Gynecology has an “old school medicine” approach to patient relationships, but an advanced approach to surgical techniques. As the only practice based in Johns Creek using the da Vinci® robotic surgical system, the Drs. Reyes are able to provide their patients with groundbreaking alternatives to both traditional open surgery and conventional laparoscopy.
The approach to private practice that John and Ingrid took demonstrates success. When asked how his practice has experienced such growth in difficult economic times, John responds, “We’ve been blessed throughout our professional and personal lives thus far. I don’t compare myself to others. I only compete with myself. I always strive to be the best I can possibly be. I do my best with every situation put in front of me, and it has paid off. None of it could have been possible without my mother’s love and devotion to her family, and my father’s example of determination. I was taught to work hard, do my best, and above all, always do the right thing and everything else will follow. My success does not even scratch the surface of his achievements.”
John’s faith and his family are most important to him. He and Ingrid have a two year old son, Sebastian, and are expecting another son, Ethan, any day. They will teach their children the same values and philosophies they learned from their parents— that motivation, humility, and what is inside of a person is what matters, and with hard work anyone can achieve their dream. “That’s my goal as a father now, that my children will be able to meet all their dreams, but will understand that to be successful it takes hard work and determination.”
