All five of the country's richest physicians are self made to some degree, according to Forbes.
Editor's note: Net worth is accurate as of Oct. 24.
Net worth: $31.8 billion
Self-made score: 7, meaning he is largely self-made but got a head start from wealthy parents.
Dr. Frist co-founded HCA Healthcare alongside his father in 1968.
Net worth: $6.5 billion
Self-made score: 9, meaning he came from a working-class background and rose from little to nothing.
Dr. Soon-Shiong developed pancreatic cancer drug Abraxane and later sold his companies — Abraxis in 2010 and American Pharmaceutical in 2008, for a total of $9.1 billion.
Net worth: $3.3 billion
Self-made score: 8, meaning he's a self-made entrepreneur who came from a middle-class or upper middle-class background.
Dr. Schleifer is the co-founder and CEO of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, a biotechnology company he helped establish in 1988.
Net worth: $2.7 billion
Self-made score: None listed, but noted as self-made
Dr. Troendle is the president, CEO and founder of clinical research company Medpace and owns about 24% of the stock.
Net worth: $2 billion
Self-made score: None listed, but noted as self-made
Dr. Yancopoulos is the co-founder, president and chief scientific officer of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.