Dr. James W. Fleshman and Dr. Warren E. Lichliter

Dr. James W. Fleshman is the Helen Buchanan and Stanley Joseph Seeger Endowed Professor and Chairman—Department of Surgery, Baylor University Medical Center, and Chief of Surgery at Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas. James was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and received an MD degree from Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. His general surgery training, which included a year of research, was conducted at The Jewish Hospital of St. Louis, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. He then performed a fellowship in Colon and Rectal Surgery at the University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. In 1987, he joined the colorectal staff at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, and eventually became professor and section head of the division of colon and rectal surgery. In 2012, he moved to Dallas, TX, to assume his current position.

Dr. Fleshman is a major force in colorectal research. In addition to being honored with the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeon's Young Researcher's Award in 1992, he served as the President of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Research Foundation. He has been involved in most of the major multicenter colorectal trials including the COST (Clinical Outcomes of Surgical Therapy) trial and remains an active researcher.

Dr. Fleshman is a member of and held leadership positions in multiple national surgical and colorectal societies. He has served as the president of the ASCRS (American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons) and the American Board of Colorectal Surgery, and is a senior member of the American Board of Surgery.

Dr. Fleshman has served on the Editorial Board of Diseases of the Colon and Rectum and Annals of Surgery as well as eight other journals. He has had a long interest in cancer and has published over 161 peer-reviewed articles, 34 non–peer-reviewed articles, and 60 book chapters on this and other colorectal subjects. He has edited four textbooks, including the first edition of the ASCRS Textbook of Colon and Rectal Surgery.

Dr. Fleshman maintains a very busy clinical practice in which the management of rectal cancer plays a major role. He educates medical students and surgical and colorectal residents on a daily basis.

James and his wife, Linda, live in Dallas, Texas. When not working, Jim enjoys golf, reading, and spending time with his family, especially his four grandchildren.

In summary, Dr. Fleshman is one of the major leaders and academic surgeons in colorectal surgery. It is an honor to know him and consider him a friend.

Dr. Warren E. Lichliter is the Chief of the Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery and Colorectal Surgery Residency Director at Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas. Warren was born in Murphysbort, Illinois and did his undergraduate training at the University of Tennessee. He attended medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. His general surgery residency and colorectal surgery training was performed at Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas. Following his colorectal surgery training, Dr. Lichliter joined the staff at the Baylor University and progressed to the positions listed above.

Dr. Lichliter educates medical students and general surgery and colorectal residents on a daily basis and mentors trainees and junior faculty as well as conducting research. His publications include nine peer reviewed articles and he has made multiple presentations at regional and national forums.

Dr. Lichliter is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS). He has served on several important committees and as President of the North Texas Chapter of the American College of Surgeons. He is also Board Certified in General Surgery and Colon and Rectal Surgery and is listed in Best Doctors in America Warren has four children and lives with his wife in Dallas, Texas.

On behalf of the readers and staff of Clinics of Colon and Rectal Surgery, I thank Dr. Fleshman and Lichliter for serving as Guest Editors and for providing us with a comprehensive update and state-of-the-art review of rectal cancer management.