The curriculum that evolved into the ideas for this series was inspired by two talented and forthright students, Philbert Yau and Chuck Rosipal, who have graduated from medical school. It has been a continued pleasure to work with Dr. Pedro Mancias, one of the brightest clinicians and most talented educators I have encountered anywhere in the world, and Dr. Erin Stimming, an excellent physician, teacher, and inspiration. I have been impressed our newest team member, Dr. Doris Kung, who has a broad knowledge, empathy and communication skills, and expertise in medical education. I am greatly indebted to my editor, Bob Boehringer, whose exuberance, experience, and vision helped to shape this series. Likewise, Christina Thomas and Lior Raz-Farley have been both very talented people with whom to collaborate. I appreciate McGraw Hill's believing in the concept of teaching through clinical cases. My "family" at McGraw Hill has been most gracious. I appreciate the support from my encouraging Chair, Dr. Sean Blackwell, and my now retired educational Vice Dean, Dr. Patricia Butler as well as my new Vice Dean of Education, Dr. Mark Hormann. I continue to be amazed with my daughter Allison, who is truly a magnificent wizard of medical editing and writing, transforming neural musings into digital and liquid ink on website and paper. Most of all, I appreciate my ever-loving wife Terri and wonderful children, Andy and his wife Anna, Michael and his wife Nadine, Allison and her husband Josh, and Christina and her husband Andy, for their patience, encouragement, understanding, and "sharing their father" with my students and writing.