Since 1983, American Paraplegia Society has invited noted experts in spinal cord medicine and research to present the Donald Munro Memorial Lecture (1). These invited lecturers enrich our knowledge while honoring the pioneer in spinal cord medicine known as the ‘father of paraplegia’ (2-5). Munro was born in Boston in 1889 to a prominent family. His father was a well known surgeon and his mother was the daughter of Dr. E.R. Squibb, founder of the pharmaceutical company. Of Scottish descent, Munro claimed an ancestor who was captured by Cromwell at the Battle of Worcester in 1652 and deported to America. In 1695, the Munroes established a tavern in Lexington, Massachusetts, which remains standing as historical landmark of the American Revolution. Munroe Tavern was used by Lord Hugh Percy as the British headquarters and infirmary during the Battle of Lexington in 1775 (6,7). A graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Medical School, Munro studied medicine and surgery in Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia, and served as a surgeon in the Army Medical Corps in France during World War I. After the war, he joined the surgical staff of Boston City Hospital where he specialized in neurosurgery in a career that would span 36 years at the hospital. When the neurosurgery service began caring for individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI), which at the time carried a mortality rate of 80%, Munro developed a special interest in their comprehensive care. His 10-bed unit, established in 1936, showed that with thoughtful and attentive care, patients lived longer and better lives (2,3). Munro achieved noteworthy outcomes by incorporating physical rehabilitation including bowel and bladder management and physical and occupational therapy, and by addressing patients' complex socioeconomic needs (2,3,8). His small unit became the model for SCI care in the United States. Munro's work influenced the Veterans Administration to establish SCI Centers around the US to care for wounded soldiers. His practices formed the basis for multidisciplinary, holistic care for people with SCI and inspired other dedicated pioneers such as Ernest Bors, Estin Comarr, John Young and Erich Krueger (9-11). His many published articles and books broke new ground in every aspect of the management of people living with the consequences of SCI (5). It has been said that Munro is “best remembered as a pioneer in optimism” for people with a condition long considered hopeless (11). Over the past 16 years, the Donald Munro Memorial Lectureship has traced the advancements in our field from basic care of SCI complications to research applications involving neuroscience and the latest technologies—evidence that Munro's legacy of optimism continues to offer hope to individuals with SCI and inspire professionals in spinal cord medicine.medicine. Donald Munro, MD, 1889–1973.