Each year it is the duty as well as the privilege of the retiring president to present a final summary of his stewardship and some commentary on the events of the Academy year which has just been completed. Such a presentation concerns accomplishments and not simply aspirations; it presents a somewhat philosophic look at our activities in addition to a recital of events. It is both a valedictory for those of us who are finishing our Academy tasks and a challenge to those who are assuming these responsibilities for the year ahead.
Before going further, I should like to pay tribute to members of the Executive Board for their valuable help, vision, counsel and support, and to the Chapter and Section Chairmen and to all Committeemen for their diligent service and achievements. I also should like to commend all those in the Central Office for the many tasks they do for us and especially for their fine judgment, devotion, loyalty, and plain hard work. May I commend to you most particularly our new Executive Director. We could not have chosen better.
And there is one other, Rhoda, my wife. Without her assistance and understanding, the work of the past 2 years would not have been possible.
The term, "delivery of health care," is still new to many of us. In past years it was said that physicians "went into practice." They did indeed deliver care, but it was then called "the care of patients"-a professional and compassionate service to the sick.
