In this 2005 convention issue of the Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, we could not more starkly present to readers "where we have been and where we are going." As a kick-off of the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR), Dr. Philip Wilson, the first president of AACVPR, presents the culmination of the AACVPR Historical Project in a historical review entitled "AACVPR: The First 20 Years." He details the birth of an idea, the inception of a scientific journal, the planning of a first annual meeting, and finally, the development of a mature national professional organization that has a major impact on the national scene as the primary voice for cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services.

At the other end of the spectrum, Dr. Randall Thomas presents us with a view of the future in his Featured Review on the topic of Cardiac Rehabilitation as Quality Indicator. With cardiac rehabilitation services so firmly based upon a scientific foundation, he makes a strong case for its inclusion alongside other established therapies as a quality indicator for patients after myocardial infarction or coronary artery bypass grafting. Thus, cardiac rehabilitation would stand alongside aspirin, beta-blocking medications, and lipid-lowering medications as Medicare and other payers establish in their "report cards" whether highest quality care is being delivered to their patients.

Also included in this issue are scientific articles on cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation and abstracts from the American and Canadian National meetings. We thank our Associate Editors, Drs. Williams, Ries, and Froelicher for their ongoing efforts in maintaining the excellence of the Journal. We look forward to a future where cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation are so entrenched as standard of care that our primary ongoing goals will be to maximize participation and fine-tune the intervention.

Philip A. Ades, MD, Editor-in-Chief

Gary J. Balady, MD, Editor