Introduction Like many American institutions, professional associations tend to think short-term, be it solving the crisis of the day, achieving an annual budget, or forgetting the past when governing for the future. And associations also often fail to remember and recognize their heroes—the people who got them to where they are today. That’s why this book, and the herculean effort that preceded it, are so important. The ACFAS story is a classic American tale. A story of modest beginnings, a hardfought evolution, and a bright future—however contentious things may have gotten along the way. It’s a story that needs to be told and remembered as the organization—and the profession—continues to evolve. It’s a story every podiatric medical student, member, and future leader should read and remember. And like many tales in the ACFAS story, this project would not have been possible without one person’s passion and commitment. Long-time ACFAS volunteer leader Jerome S. Noll, DPM, FACFAS first expressed an interest in archiving the College’s past as the 70th anniversary approached. Oral histories of past presidents were recorded in 2007-2014. Meanwhile Dr. Noll started compiling and assembling 70-plus years of documents.Then, as the 75th anniversary approached in 2017, we felt a professional historian should write the College’s story to ensure objectivity and credibility. Thanks to Dr. Noll’s research, author Kenneth Durr, PhD has done just that. The citations of virtually every event and statement tell the story accurately and candidly. Mahatma Gandhi said, “A small body of determined spirits, fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission, can alter the course of history.” The College’s five key founders (average age 31) certainly showed their faith, as have 10,000 members over the past 75 years. Together you have changed—and ARE changing—the course of American medical history. J.C. (Chris) Mahaffey, MS, CAE, FASAE Executive Director November 2016 Chicago, Illinois
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