A Message from the Vice-Chairman The creation of the Office of External Affairs underscores the increasing emphasis that the Department of Surgery is placing on outreach, communications and relationship building with its many constituencies. Today, External Affairs focuses its efforts on marketing, outreach, development, alumni relations, and public and community relations. Broadly, our mission is to promote increased awareness of the Department of Surgery and our capabilities and accomplishments in patient care, teaching and research. Our aim is to reach our local hospital and university community; patients past, present and future; physicians throughout the greater metropolitan area; and professional organizations and health agencies, nationally and internationally. Although the Office of External Affairs has existed only since 1991, already it is clear that our efforts are producing marked gains in both our physician referral base and our clinical volume. Kenneth A. Forde, MD Vice-Chairman, External Affairs E-mail address: kaf2@columbia.edu Page maintained by Dept. of Surgery, External Affairs E-mail: kazelu@phadm1.cpmc.columbia.edu Last Updated: 7/98