title: Quest for excellence: inspiration from the ileum.
abstract: The occasion of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 33rd Presidential Address was used to glean wisdom and inspiration from the ileum. Not only is this intestinal segment so central to the chief organ involved in specialized nutrition support, but it is a complex, yet elegant system that: (1) is interdisciplinary with actions coordinated to achieve a common goal; (2) looks to the future by mentoring the next generation of leaders; (3) constantly seeks evidence of its effectiveness and accordingly adjusts its practice; and (4) strategically forges synergistic partnerships with other habitants within its environment. As relevant within many other realms, it remains true that much can be learned from looking within.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA. tappende@illinois.edu
authors.forename: Kelly A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Tappenden
mesh_terms: D007082:Ileum / Q000502:physiology; D019365:Metaphor; D044623:Nutrition Therapy; D052756:Nutritional Sciences; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012952:Societies; D014481:United States