Dave Law joined the faculty in early 1969 as Chief of Medicine at the VA Medical Center, and vice-chairman of the UNM Department of Medicine with Ralph Williams. From a recruiting perspective, this was the beginning of developing a first-class Department of Medicine with full-time faculty representing every specialty in Internal Medicine between the VA and the UNM Medical Center. As a gastroenterologist, Dave participated clinically at both institutions, but his major impact upon me was his leadership in excellence in academic medicine.

Dave had humor and a hearty greeting for everyone, and worked to see that department dynamics were committed to excellence in patient care, teaching, and research. He and his wife Cindy loved to entertain the faculty and housestaff in their home, and their annual Christmas Party was one of the most enjoyable times that the faculty enjoyed throughout the year. Dave really was a dominant influence on the program of student, resident, and fellow training at the School of Medicine for decades.

He and Ralph held a Medicine faculty retreat every year in the Fall, and as I recall, Dave led the early morning horseback ride in the lovely Fall colors through the mountains of northern New Mexico. I was usually about six horses behind him, and enjoyed his laughter and enthusiasm for the fellowship to the fullest. His broad smile was his badge of friendship that was always available to add to the pleasure of serving as a colleague.

Dave was the face of Internal Medicine at the VA during his years, and the institution owes him a great debt of gratitude for his leadership.