The first Frank M. Norfleet Forum for the Advancement of Health was convened December 1-3, 1980 at The University of Tennessee Center for the Health Sciences, Memphis. It is an annual invitational forum created to focus on the improve- ment of health status in the community, state, nation and world through effective health policies and organizations. As issues of health care become more complex, the Norfleet Forum is expected to serve as a vehicle for discussion and dissemina- tion of information needed by policymakers and administrators in selecting intricate solutions to health care problems. It is administered by a five member board of trustees, including two members from the Memphis-Plough Community Foundation's board of governors and three representatives of The University of Ten- nessee Center for the Health Sciences. This Forum is made possible by the generous gift of Dunbar Abston, Sr., and is named in honor of his adopted stepson, Frank M. Norfleet. Mr. Abston enjoys a business career associated with Parts Industries Corporation of Memphis, one of the largest auto- motive ~arts supply and equipment distributors in the nation.