Two generations of doctors, Dr. Raul Gaona Sr. and his son Raul Jr. sit across from each other at Sip Coffee and Espresso Bar on Houston Street, just a few doors down from Raul Jr’s practice, casually sipping a beverage from white paper cups.The tiny, corner coffee bar is busy, as any downtown coffee establishment might be, but the two men carry a strong, distinguished demeanor and are easily spotted through the large front window. Raul Sr. sits firmly in his coat and tie, his hands clasped and resting on the table. His son is a bit more casual – no tie.
Pursuit of Hapines
For over 40 years, Raul Sr. has practiced internal medicine in San Antonio and over the years somehow managed to keep it to one system – independent. When his son began practicing 14 years ago he followed the same path as his father and it has served equally well.
“If there is one thing I aspire to be, it is to be like my father,” says Raul Jr. “It has never been overwhelming for him.”
Raul Jr. calls independent doctors “dinosaurs in the medical field.” With big medical companies and practices, what these two men do is becoming rare. Both say that it really comes down to one thing – doing what you love.
“Our goal is to do something in life we like, something we love,” says Raul Sr. And that is a perfect way to describe these men. They express waking up each morning doing what they love; and by default, they’re helping people. It is a method that makes them happy. Raul Jr’s practice is located in downtown while his father’s is in southwest San Antonio, the same place he has been for many years. When he first moved his practice to the southwest side of town, the only other medical facility was the hospital. Now, he says, there are ten other practices. While they have two separate practices and work in different parts of town, their methods are virtually the same. What makes their work unique is their attention to personal care and the long-term relationships they work hard to build with their patients.
“We have second and third generations of families still come to see us,” expresses Raul Sr. “When you develop trust, it becomes that way.” “We also follow all of our patients to the hospital,” says Raul Jr.
In today’s constant hustle and bustle, “it’s the continuity of care that has been lost,” his father recognizes.
The Family Thing
Over the years, Raul Sr. has stayed dedicated to his work and his family. After graduating from the first residency class of the University of Texas Medical School in San Antonio, he chose to stay local.
“I am very attached to my roots,” he says. Though all his children grew up into an assortment of professional careers, one thing has been the bond between them all – Charreria.
“Charreria is a Mexican horsemanship,” Raul Sr. said. “It’s completely unique from any form of horsemanship.”
Stemming originally from Spanish horsemanship brought to Mexico, it has evolved into something all its own. Charreria, which is the national sport of Mexico, prides itself on the perseverance of tradition. Everything that they use is handmade. There are absolutely no synthetic materials used, and it is all made the same way for hundreds of years.
The Gaona children, five sons and one daughter, have all been involved in charreria. “All my children became excellent horseman,” Raul Sr. said. “They won the only trophy to be given outside of Mexico.” It was presented to them by Mexican president Jose Lopez Portillo.”
Raul Sr. and his son describe charreria with such pride. It’s an old and distinguished sport dating to Mexican colonial times and is rich in tradition. It is clearly an art form Dr. Gaona and his family take great honor in.
The family has had the largest influence in bringing this sport to San Antonio. “Before it was social and not a sport,” Raul Jr. said. They perform their craft throughout San Antonio and Texas, including Fiesta. No Regrets
As the morning passes, people come in and out of the corner cafe. Some come in for a single cup and file out of the door, while others sit and share a small breakfast with family and friends. In the center of the flurry, Dr. Gaona and his son casually finish the last of their coffee.
Whether it is their families, their practice or their horses they make no apologies for simply living to do what they love; helping people, building relationships and changing lives in the process.
Raul Jr. calls independent doctors “dinosaurs in the medical field.” With big medical companies and practices, what these two men do is becoming rare. Both say that it really comes down to one thing – doing what you love.
“Our goal is to do something in life we like, something we love,” says Raul Sr. And that is a perfect way to describe these men. They express waking up each morning doing what they love; and by default, they’re helping people. It is a method that makes them happy. Raul Jr’s practice is located in downtown while his father’s is in southwest San Antonio, the same place he has been for many years. When he first moved his practice to the southwest side of town, the only other medical facility was the hospital. Now, he says, there are ten other practices. While they have two separate practices and work in different parts of town, their methods are virtually the same. What makes their work unique is their attention to personal care and the long-term relationships they work hard to build with their patients.
“We have second and third generations of families still come to see us,” expresses Raul Sr. “When you develop trust, it becomes that way.” “We also follow all of our patients to the hospital,” says Raul Jr.
In today’s constant hustle and bustle, “it’s the continuity of care that has been lost,” his father recognizes.
The Family Thing
Over the years, Raul Sr. has stayed dedicated to his work and his family. After graduating from the first residency class of the University of Texas Medical School in San Antonio, he chose to stay local.
“I am very attached to my roots,” he says. Though all his children grew up into an assortment of professional careers, one thing has been the bond between them all – Charreria.
“Charreria is a Mexican horsemanship,” Raul Sr. said. “It’s completely unique from any form of horsemanship.”
Stemming originally from Spanish horsemanship brought to Mexico, it has evolved into something all its own. Charreria, which is the national sport of Mexico, prides itself on the perseverance of tradition. Everything that they use is handmade. There are absolutely no synthetic materials used, and it is all made the same way for hundreds of years.
The Gaona children, five sons and one daughter, have all been involved in charreria. “All my children became excellent horseman,” Raul Sr. said. “They won the only trophy to be given outside of Mexico.” It was presented to them by Mexican president Jose Lopez Portillo.”
Raul Sr. and his son describe charreria with such pride. It’s an old and distinguished sport dating to Mexican colonial times and is rich in tradition. It is clearly an art form Dr. Gaona and his family take great honor in.
The family has had the largest influence in bringing this sport to San Antonio. “Before it was social and not a sport,” Raul Jr. said. They perform their craft throughout San Antonio and Texas, including Fiesta. No Regrets
As the morning passes, people come in and out of the corner cafe. Some come in for a single cup and file out of the door, while others sit and share a small breakfast with family and friends. In the center of the flurry, Dr. Gaona and his son casually finish the last of their coffee.
Whether it is their families, their practice or their horses they make no apologies for simply living to do what they love; helping people, building relationships and changing lives in the process.
