My appreciation for the moral support of Virginia Commonwealth University's Department of Health Administration during the long enterprise of editing this book knows no bounds. I am also indebted to the many colleagues who worked with us to produce their respective chapters. Our interactions were numerous and always led to new ideas and approaches. I learned a great deal from them. Also, deep thanks go to the late Andy Pasternack, the editor for the this and previous volumes on health care organization theory that my colleagues and I have written. His passing has been a real blow to everyone who has worked with him at Jossey-Bass, and he will be sorely missed. I thank Seth Schwartz, also from Jossey-Bass, for his patience and encouragement during the writing of this book. Thanks too to reviewers Sandra K. Collins, Colleen L. Croxall, Christopher E. Johnson, and Lawrence Johnson, who provided careful readings of the entire manuscript and many helpful suggestions. Finally, I thank my wife, Karen, for exemplifying what hard work is; her will to get things done whatever they might be was and is an inspiration.

Stephen S. Farnsworth Mick

I owe many thanks to my coeditor, Stephen Mick, for his encouragement, direction, and guidance; I am grateful for having had the rewarding opportunity to work with him on this book. My appreciation also extends to the faculty and staff of the Department of Health Administration at Virginia Commonwealth University for their support and contagious passion for furthering our understanding of health care organizations. Finally, and above all, I am continually thankful for Aubree and Elliot. Without my family's ceaseless support, love, and encouragement, my contributions to this book would not have been possible.

Patrick D. Shay