This past year marks my 19th year as Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Boston Children’s Hospital. It seemed to me that this was an appropriate time to step down as chairman, in order to facilitate a smooth transition to new leadership for our department. Over the past 8 years, as Surgeon-in-Chief at Children’s, I have presided over or have been involved in the transitions of all of our surgical department chiefs. Requesting that an independent search committee be formed to replace me as orthopaedic department chair was the final recruitment necessary to ensure strong surgical services for the coming decade at Children’s.

For those of you who know Peter Waters (Figure 1) who has served as the Associate Chief of the department over the past 6 years, it was no surprise that he was chosen by the Search Committee as our next chairman. His appointment resulted from a national search in which many capable candidates came through the department. Peter’s clinical acumen, research record and administrative skills have led to his choice as our new department chairman. Teaching will continue to be an emphasis at the fellow, resident, and medical student level. In addition to this, on-going continuing education courses and orthopaedic graduate medical education at a national and international level will continue.