The ASCI, the spring meetings, and growing up in academic medicine: a personal perspective.

For many young physician-scientists, the American Society for Clinical Investigation spring meetings are the backdrop to their initiation into academic medicine. Membership in the ASCI is a high honor and represents one's maturation and accomplishment in clinical research. The ASCI continues to provide this meeting forum for young investigators who aspire to emulate their idols and mentors just as I did in 1969 when I attended the spring meetings in Atlantic City for the first time.