Abstract
This editorial is about a friend who I met years ago when I had to debate him at an American College of Cardiology (ACC) meeting, and we have known and respected each other ever since. As always, he was a gentleman in that debate, and he has remained so for as long as I have known him. Education of his colleagues, teaching of medical students, residents, and fellows-in-training has been J. Willis Hurst's lifelong passion, and he will continue to do that until January 1st, 2009, when he retires from Emory University.