Challenges to academic surgery. Life cycles in chairmanship: the first decade

A chair is a coordinator who is responsible for channeling the talents, dedication, and enthusiasm of the faculty and residents to strengthen the department. I believe that I have started down this path and realize the importance of the support of the faculty, residents, and other members in the institution. I have been fortunate to work in a department of surgery with superb faculty, residents, and students. The next decade will consist of the challenges of changes, chaos, and significant adverse external pressures. These challenges must be met with a commitment to our core values of patient care, teaching, and research, and allow the mission of the program to grow and change with the times.