I was pleased to receive the invitation to write this prefactory chapter. In doing so, I join a number of physiologists whose work and writings I have often admired. There are two aspects of my experience in physiology that I discuss here. The first concerns my own research accomplishments. The second is my role in developing three departments of physiology and fostering the careers of others. While I take pleasure in the former, the overall contribution of the latter was undoubtedly greater.