THE ELECTIONS of two African Americans, Alexander J. Walt, MD, of Wayne State University, Detroit, Mich, and LaSalle D. Leffall, Jr, MD, of Howard University, Washington, DC, as president and president-elect, respectively, of the American College of Surgeons are significant events in the history of that organization. Drs Walt and Leffall have been major contributors to the American College of Surgeons for over 30 years. Their active participation in regional, national, and specialty societies and service to the college in leadership roles, along with their disciplinary contributions to surgery, make their elections eminently mediagenic. These actions have brought pride to surgeons in the Greenvilles of America, whether in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, or Kentucky. Initiative, hard work, dedication, and intelligence do matter. These accomplishments have had no dilutional effect on surgical excellence, standards have not been compromised, and scientific progress has not been downsized.
The election of Margaret Longo, MD,