From the day Southwestern Medical College opened in some abandoned army barracks in 1943 to the day Daniel K. Podolsky, M.D., became president of the sprawling, high-tech medical complex in September 2008, UT Southwestern Medical Center has grown into an institution known as much for its exceptional students, residents and fellows as for its ever-expanding research and clinical endeavors. A collective sense of pride as well as an aspiration for UT Southwestern to become outstanding in every way, distinctively serving the needs of the Dallas-Fort Worth region, state and beyond, permeates all areas of the medical center. Dr. Podolsky has identified seven priorities required for UT Southwestern achieve that vision. Building upon past successes, the aim is to maintain the quality and vitality of the basic research endeavors while moving UT Southwestern toward becoming an institution at the forefront of every dimension of what it means to be an academic medical center. The goal is to make a unique contribution to the metroplex and Texas by providing care that is distinct, of value, and aligned to the institution's dual missions of research and education. Dr. Podolsky discusses the challenges in moving forward, from providing a rich opportunity for research that is unique, groundbreaking and has a broad impact to developing patient care and service that is beyond parallel.