Like the dawn of a new day, developments over the past academic year in the Department of Neurology show a shaft of light here, a sparkle there and a little overall glow. From my view, the faculty, residents and staff have increasingly crystallized as functioning units and blended as needed in the quest to carry our mission further.

For example, the faculty elected to change our Friday-Saturday retreat format to half-day meetings every six months. The first retreat in February focused on improving the residency program. Residents are now more involved in our Neurology Grand Rounds, giving presentations and leading discussions each quarter and providing a session devoted to the history of neurology annually. The retreat also paved the way for initiating performance-based assessments this fall. Dr. Ling Xu, a former trainee and clinical neurophysiology fellow from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, joined our neuromuscular service. (See "Making the Rounds" ) Her cheerful manner and high standards bring the total number of faculty to 22.

The Department also received a generous gift of $200,000 to investigate neural processes in thought and intuition. With his strong interests in co- registering the spatial aspects of neuroimaging to neurophysiological parameters, Dr. Edward Hogan now leads the thought and intuition project or TIP as it has come to be called. Exciting progress was also made in our basic science laboratories. (See "Making the Rounds" on page .) An expansion of clinical services is reflected in the 11-percent increase in charges for the year, an accomplishment that was all the more remarkable because it occurred without any increase in fees.

Resident recruitment in the last academic year was very satisfying as it has been in recent years. The character, personality and academic talent in our residents should maintain the outstanding assessment scores and board examination successes of past years. The neurology in-service scores averaged at the 64th percentile for the third straight year, and the five-year average, first-time pass rate at Saint Louis University for the Part I board examination was 86.6 percent and 76.9 percent for Part II versus 69.5 percent and 66.4 percent nationally.

We are also fortunate to be supported by a delightful administrative and clinic staff. They are typified by the affable John Oberkramer who mans our reception desk. (See "At Your Service" ) We are all grateful to Julie Goewert, who came to us last fall. She has capably served as Departmental administrator.

So together, we are indeed moving forward with spirit and accomplishment to fulfill the goals of the Department of Neurology.

John B. Selhorst, M.D.
Souers Professor and Chairman