 The beginning was at the end. Johnny Heward grew up in the province of Quebec, Canada, in the small village of Gaspeze, which means the end of the land, where the St. Lawrence River empties into the North Atlantic. His first love was Canada's national sport, yet the boy with the wise eyes and curious mind would distinguish himself through science, not slap shots. Though his love of the game and its code of tenacity and teamwork inspire his scientific discovery today. But the underpinning of all science is loyalty to truth, and that came from his adoring parents who instilled the essential elements of character and integrity. And Johnny Heward honored their love with a continuing series of scientific achievements that distinguished his entire family. He was the first Heward to ever go to college, and he's been a first mover ever since. The esteemed leaders in science and medicine who mentored him early in his career knew this, and they knew their student would surpass them. That was validated in 2004, when Dr. Heward received the esteemed Capedelta Young Investigator Award for his discovery of muscle-derived stem cells. Pioneering achievements followed in gene therapy, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. As greatness begets greatness, Dr. Heward selflessly shares his knowledge through a rare blend of personal compassion and professional collaboration. No wonder he is respected as a thought leader and thoughtful leader. Attributes honored when he recently received his second Capedelta award, an unprecedented achievement, this time for outstanding orthopedic research. Tonight we celebrate greatness and humility, success, and relentless pursuit. Tonight we pay tribute to the boy from the little village who became the man changing the world.