gonzalez also treated nadine eidman. >> i was never a number. i was never just a patient.human being who had a full life. >> reporter: did she immediately put you at ease? >> she absolutely did. you know, she's really small of stature, but she's feisty. and she said, "we're just going to go after this." and i said, "yeah, you and i are going to get along just fine." and we have. >> reporter: ana met george years earlier when she referred a patient to him. soon after, she invited him to collaborate on a research project. multiple studies followed. they were invited to lecture and travel around the world. after working for george, sandy molina took a job assisting ana. >> i know she was trying to get his career going, writing more grants, and helping him get promoted, and he wasn't the most organized person. >> reporter: so ana really had an impact on george's life? >> yes. >> reporter: was he very grateful for that? >> i think he was. >> reporter: how eager were you to talk to dr. gonzalez? >> very eager. she knew his habits, his schedule, about the timeline that i needed i