The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristics of physicians who chose academic medicine as a career. A questionnaire was sent to all graduates of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine who held full-time positions in academic medical centers (n = 143). Ninety graduates (63%) returned usable questionnaires. Most of the physicians grew up in urban areas. Seventy-seven percent of the graduates entered academic medicine directly from their residency or fellowship programs. The most important factors cited by respondents as influencing a career choice of academic medicine were an interest in teaching and a belief that their personality and skills suited them to an academic environment. An interest in doing research was not a very important factor. Respondents also indicated why they chose their particular specialty. The two most important factors were the content of the specialty and intellectual stimulation. Most of these physicians (64%) were very satisfied with their careers in academic medicine.