In its early stage, this loss of short-term memory is frightening to those with Alzheimer's disease-they're aware that who they are is disappearing. People with the illness may clearly remember what happened decades ago but not what happened a few minutes ago. The Alzheimer's Association estimates that more than five million people in the United States are living with memory loss as a result of dementia. And for many people, that system will, at some point, start to falter. Memory is an intricate, elusive, and awe-inspiring system involving many areas of the brain. But the brain functions that allow us to revisit the glorious, frightening, and embarrassing moments of our past are far from simple. On the surface, memory is straightforward: information is taken in and it's either stored or forgotten. Susan Green is senior writer for Dartmouth Medicine. Honoring Wennberg and supporting future pioneers.Geisel students provide care for those in need at the Good Neighbor Health Clinic in White River Junction, Vt. In this excerpt from his book The Truth in Small Doses, journalist Clifton Leaf discusses how the research of Geisel professor Michael Sporn changed his view of how best to battle cancer. Our memories are integral to our personal identity, but we cannot take for granted that they will always be with us. It's a skill-one that the Medical School is working to ensure every graduate has. Leadership is not something people are born with, says Dean Chip Souba. In an increasingly informal age, what does it mean to wear a white medical coat? Voices of Geisel: Greetings from Stockholm.Overheard: Robert Foote and Gautham Suresh quotes.

Shorts: Establishing a model of surgical care.

Geisel receives an eight-year accreditation from the LCME.

Memories shape who we are quotes