December 16, 1986
Dear Ed:
I've always considered you a teacher of teachers and a most gentle gentleman.  I remember fondly your lecturing my students at Tulane (and your listening to a cassette I happened to have on my desk of one of your earlier talks).  You'll never know how many times I refer to you and your profound influence on World Medicine.  I guess there'll be no Nobel Awards, because you followed a different drummer: not DNA, rather saving millions of peoples' lives.  The pharmaceutical industry ought to erect a platinum statue for you.  They won't.  And you don't need that.  You are too modest and humble a person for statues and awards.  But I bet you get some great REM sleep at night, realizing that your life has meant so much.  You gave direction to a major therapeutic void.
And now, this 63 year old teacher has developed hypertension too.  Because of your pioneer work, I am not anxious, but reassured.  I know where I can get help if my regimen fails.
God bless,
F. Gilbert McMahon, M. D.