A view from the center. A former division chief's perspective on being a megadepartmental chairman

Upon completing his sixth year as chairman of a large department of surgery in a major United States medical school, the author, a neurosurgical chief for 32 years, reflects upon the goals of departmental stewardship. The charges and challenges to any chairman of a multispecialty department are sampled from the perspective of personal experience. The general message could be interpreted as a call to service and a job description.