Virginia Dines, M.D., knew from an early age that she wanted to be a doctor. She heard the stories her grandfather would tell and says she knew medicine was a career where she could make a difference — the same idea that inspired her grandfather.

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David Dines, M.D., began to consider a medical career after serving in the Marine Corps. He enlisted at 17 and fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. His two best friends died during their service and, because he made it through without a scratch, Dr. Dines felt compelled to give back.

His father-in-law-to-be — a physician — convinced him that medicine was the way to accomplish that goal. "My father-in-law was one of the greatest men I've ever known," says Dr. Dines.

Perhaps it takes one to know one.

Dr. Dines, a member of the Mayo Clinic emeritus staff, has a legacy of his own. His granddaughter, Virginia Dines, M.D., is a fellow in the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension at Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

She wanted to be a physician from an early age — primarily because of her grandfather.

"From the stories he told throughout my childhood, I knew medicine was a career where I could make a big difference, which became increasingly important to me," she says.

Training at Mayo Clinic was a natural decision for Dr. Virginia Dines.

"Of course, I grew up hearing what a special place it was and, as a visiting medical student, I saw for myself all the things I'd heard about," she says. "Everyone at Mayo cares deeply about making the experience better for the patient. You hear it from every person in every job."

"Of course, I grew up hearing what a special place (Mayo Clinic) was and, as a visiting medical student, I saw for myself all the things I'd heard about. "

Virginia Dines, M.D.

That's not all Dr. Virginia Dines heard about at Mayo Clinic.

"On my first day as an intern at the hospital in the medical ICU, the pulmonologists all knew my grandfather very well — what a nice welcome," she says. "Six years later, people still stop me to say how much they love and appreciate him and what a difference he made in their lives."

That includes people from every subspecialty.

"I hear what an amazing teacher and educator he was," she says. "It has been very special to be educated by people my grandfather taught. It brings things full circle. I feel really proud and grateful that I got to grow up with such a special person.

The elder Dr. Dines also taught her the importance of hard work and having purpose.

"He loves his family very much and has taken amazing care of us," she says. "I learned the importance of family from him, which is critical to me and my husband (Mark Norton, M.D., Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, Wisconsin) and for our two daughters. We're so proud of the life my grandfather built and the legacy he established."

That legacy includes the 2021 Doctors Mayo Society Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes Dr. David Dines' philanthropy to Mayo Clinic, professional accomplishments and personal attributes that reflect Mayo Clinic ideals.

Since he retired in 1990, Dr. David Dines and his wife of 74 years, Bette, have funded the Dr. David E. and Bette H. Dines Professorship of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine currently held by Jay H. Ryu, M.D., Mayo Clinic Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine; Dr. David E. and Bette H. Dines Fund in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Research Honoring Steve G. Peters, M.D.; Dr. David E. and Bette H. Dines Named Visiting Professorship in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine; David and Bette Dines Faculty Education Fund; David and Bette Dines Simulation-Based Education Fund; and Dines Family Mayo Charter House Medical Lectureship Fund.

Dr. David Dines isn't resting on his laurels in retirement. Every Tuesday he participates in conferences with the pulmonary care physicians, and he listens to their lectures on Wednesdays and Fridays.

"Having the Dines name means people are excited to meet me and send along greetings to my grandfather, which is one of the greatest things about being at Mayo. But it also gives me a lot to live up to."

Virginia Dines, M.D.

As proud as he is of his many accomplishments — which include fellow status in the American College of Physicians, American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Cardiology and membership in the Mayo Clinic Teacher of the Year Hall of Fame — he is even more proud of his granddaughter. She's one of four grandchildren but the only one who pursued medicine. (The Dines' daughter Sarah was a registered nurse.)

"I'm so proud that Ginny is at Mayo Clinic," Dr. David Dines says. "At age 8, she said she wanted to be a doctor. She's an outstanding person, a big part of our lives and a big part of my philanthropy. I couldn't be any prouder of her and what she has done with her life."

Dr. Virginia Dines recognizes the size of the shoes she has to fill.

"Every day, I see how many lives he's touched through the many physicians he has taught," she says. "He retired 35 years ago but still knows all the current pulmonary fellows, is involved in their training, and is helping to advance training for future generations through his philanthropy."

In a touching tribute to her grandfather, Dr. Virginia Dines didn't change her name when she got married.

"Keeping my last name was an honor to my grandfather," she says. "Having the Dines name means people are excited to meet me and send along greetings to my grandfather, which is one of the greatest things about being at Mayo. But it also gives me a lot to live up to. His legacy is phenomenal."

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