You may be surprised to know that I have grandchildren in eastern countries like China, indeed some great and great great and maybe great great great grandchildren!
I am referring to my students, where generations progress every 10-15 years. So, in China, I have been meeting young doctors who have been trained by someone who was trained by someone who was trained by someone who was trained by me!
Lots of smiles and photographs.
The main reward of academics (including academic medicine) is passing on our limited knowledge to later generations, and some guidance about how to advance that knowledge and to keep it flowing. Watching students turn into leaders is gratifying. I have been very lucky.