This is an anniversary edition of The Neurotransmitter—the tenth year for this Departmental newsletter. The 1999-2000 academic year provided another marker, my 15th as chairman of the Department of Neurology. In reflection, administrative progress often seems erratic, two steps forward, one step backward and not always in that order. But look at this year, and you be the judge.

In July 1999, the director of the Souers Stroke Institute, Dr. Daryl Thompson accepted an offer to return to his home city and become head of neurology at the University of Missouri—Kansas City. Then in October 1999, after an admirable 20-year career with us, Dr. Suresh Kotagal, director of the child neurology, accepted a post in the sleep disorders laboratory at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. With a practiced eye for talent, officials there subsequently named Suresh chief of the division of child neurology and director of the child neurology residency program. We are proud of our colleagues' recognition and wish them the best in their new responsibilities. We were also fortunate to have two very capable faculty step into their shoes. Dr. Salvador Cruz-Flores became the acting director of the Souers Stroke Institute, and Dr. Thomas Geller, the acting director of child neurology. Subsequently, Salvador helped recruit Dr. Enrique Leira to complement the clinical stroke program and Dr. Yi Pan to initiate an experimental laboratory for cerebrovascular research. Additionally, Tom has welcomed Dr. Ruthmary Deuel to the child neurology service, bringing the Department to 20 full-time faculty members, more than double the number 15 years ago.

Dr. John Selhorst, chairman, admires statue of physician given him by his mentor in neuro-ophthalmology, Dr. William Hoyt.

In November 1999, our three residency training programs (adult and child neurology and clinical neurophysiology) were reviewed and re-accredited for four years. No doubt, the over 90 percent first-time pass rate of our residents in adult neurology on both their written and oral boards in the previous five years contributed to this successful review. This news was later buoyed by a repeat of the residents' average of 64 percentile on their in-service examination the previous year. Faculty efforts in research brought worthy news of several intriguing developments and 17 peer-reviewed publications. The year also saw a remarkable growth of neurological services at Forest Park Hospital under the leadership of Dr. Laurence Kinsella. Laurence's presence enabled transfer of the neurorehabilitation unit there when Bethesda General Hospital closed in March. Nationally, the Department of Neurology was ranked one place higher than the previous year, 23rd among 6,247 hospitals throughout the United States by U.S. News and World Report in its 11th annual July listing.

Ahead lies the adventure of a new millennium in neurology, and we are eager to continue exploring the frontiers of nervous system and its disorders.

John B. Selhorst, M.D.

Souers Professor and Chairman