This first in a series of six interviews deals with the background of Dr. John Beljan at the University of California at Davis, his nomination and appointment as founding Dean of the Wright State University School of Medicine, and the challenges in building a school of medicine that he faced on his arrival at Wright State.

Dr. Beljan also gives his views on the interview process, the concept of a community-based school of medicine, and the political problems that he encountered in the development of the Wright State University School of Medicine.