WHILE HILE I cannot claim to be an expert in any aspect of dermatology, I can offer as part of my credentials a lively interest fostered by my father. Many of you knew him and will recall his deep respect for the field, his affection for his professional colleagues, and his dedication to scholarship in dermatology. As a young man I accepted these tenets as articles of faith and as I grew older I found no reason to change my attitude toward my father's specialty. I have continued to view dermatology as a lively and important specialty. I was fortunate enough to know well and to respect many of my father's colleagues and I continue to admire a scholarly approach to medicine whether it be in practice or in the research laboratory.
For these reasons I was grateful to receive an invitation to speak to you today but gratitude was