Another Step Forward Summary and Analysis

Ben is watching a surgical procedure being performed by one of his instructors. The surgeon is having difficulty finding the "foramen ovale" (the hole at the base of the skull). Ben develops a way to mark the spot with metal tabs and locating the exact location of the hole with an x-ray beam. He ultimately shares this procedure with his instructors who are amazed and duly impressed. During his rotation as a medical student, Ben discovers that his talent and abilities could best be used as a neurosurgeon. Although he is perfectly content staying at the University of Michigan during his entire medical school education, he overhears something that sends him in another direction.

An instructor is discussing the fact that there was going to be a change in the chairmanship of the Neurosurgery Department. Ben, feeling...