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The development of this book has been a team effort, with the participation of many colleagues at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina, and Baylor Scott & White Health in Dallas, Texas. We thank both institutions for their support and encouragement, as well as The University of Texas System, which served as the home institution for this collaboration.
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We are grateful to the McGraw-Hill Education team who encouraged the preparation of this book and helped in all facets of its production. Particular thanks go to Harriet Lebowitz, the project development editor; Christine Diedrich and her successor, Sarah Henry, the associate editors of the Medical Publishing Division; and Jim Shanahan, the associate publisher of the Professional Group.
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Deep gratitude is due to Dena Gregory at the Medical University of South Carolina and Trisha Meloncon at The University of Texas System for their patience and skill in preparing the manuscripts and serving as the glue to hold the entire project together.
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Finally, and most important, we thank our families and loved ones for their support and encouragement, even when writing tasks stole precious time away from them. We hope that they find the final product justified their personal sacrifices to make it possible.
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Raymond S. Greenberg, MD, PhD
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