Dear members and partners, I have the privilege of kicking off AcademyHealth’s new blog feature. Here you will find occasional updates and conversation starters about timely developments in the field of health services research, AcademyHealth priorities and programs, and health policy and other activities that advance research, policy and practice. This first edition is focused on YOU, our lifeblood! As I begin this exciting journey as your new President and CEO, I want to hear from you! My first communication in the December issue of AcademyHealth reports (if you didn’t see it – here you go www.academyhealth.org/lsimpsonqa) summarized my initial priorities for AcademyHealth and my deep sense of commitment to the field. However, we are a membership organization and as such, our direction, our future, also depends on you. As a member or partner, you play a critical role in informing and shaping our strategy. You are the customer for our programs and services and we want to make these even better. As I learned from a colleague, we don’t want to just satisfy your needs, we want to delight you! We want to hear from you! Let’s use this new platform to have ongoing and open conversations about our field’s future, its challenges and its opportunities. What can AcademyHealth do for you? Or (to paraphrase a famous quote…) what can you do for the field? Are you engaged? Are we meeting your needs? Do you have ideas for additional programs or services you think AcademyHealth should provide? Let us know! Post your thoughts and suggestions in the comments. I and my staff will be listening. We are a professional and social network, I hope you’ll join in using this online tool to make it even more vibrant and give voice to our collective expertise and insights. Lisa

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