A personal research odyssey.

The Journal of Family Practice is pleased to publish the acceptance speech of Dr Jack Medalie, the 1998 recipient of the Maurice Wood Award for Lifetime Contribution to Primary Care Research. This address was delivered on November 6, 1998, at the 26th Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) in Montreal. This prestigious annual award honors the person who has, throughout his or her career, made the greatest contribution to primary care research and related fields. Researchers from all nations, working in all professional and scientific disciplines are eligible to receive the award. The award is named in honor of Dr Maurice Wood, an early pioneer and leader in primary care research in North America and founder of NAPCRG. The Wood Award is supported by donations from friends of primary care research across North America and around the world. For more information, contact NAPCRG at: PO Box 8729, Kansas City, Missouri 64114; 1-800-274-2237; E-mail: napcrg@stfm.org.