Thank You
Authors: C. Craig Tisher
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2001)

Toward the end of an editor’s term, it is not uncommon and indeed has become customary for the editor to provide a brief report that summarizes the progress of the Journal during their tenure. Because I am inclined to follow such a tradition, I have put pen to paper on a glorious fall afternoon in Florida to begin this task. I could start by telling you that the Journal was completely redesigned to make it more distinctive and reader-friendly. This involved changes in the design and color of the cover, the organization of the Table of Contents and the page layout, and the inclusion of fax numbers and e-mail addresses of lead authors of each published manuscript. The latter feature was intended to facilitate dialogue between authors and interested readers. I could point out that the Journal enjoyed tremendous growth in the past five years, during which time the number of manuscript submissions increased from 516 in 1996 to 873 in the 2000. In fact, a total of 3815 original manuscripts were actually processed by our editorial team. Furthermore, I could describe the content of the 60 issues of the Journal that were published from January 1997 through December 2001. In addition to the regular articles and brief communications, these issues included 42 reviews, 6 special articles, 4 symposia, 24 editorials, 12 Science Watch articles, and 60 each of the “Milestones in Nephrology” and “Disease of the Month” features. Also, the 60 regular issues were accompanied by 8 supplements. As the editor, I could talk about the fact that the Journal went fully online in February of 2000 and that links were developed between the Journal and UpToDate to permit readers to access additional relevant clinical information. But most of these facts are probably already known to you or quite possibly hold little interest. Therefore, the real purpose of this editorial is to thank everyone who had a hand in insuring the continued success of the Journal, including its ranking of first for impact among 45 journals in the nephrology and urology category for nine straight years according to Journal Citation Reports. The process of editing a successful journal begins with the receipt of high-quality manuscripts. Fortunately, there was a steady increase in both the number and quality of the manuscripts we received to undergo peer review. The editorial team accepted the challenge of identifying the most interesting, novel, and scientifically rigorous manuscripts to be published from the large number that were submitted while attempting to maintain a balanced content in each issue to satisfy the needs of the majority of our subscribers. Thus, the first “thank you” is extended to authors of both solicited and unsolicited manuscripts, who responded with their best efforts to the queries and suggestions of the referees and the editors when asked to revise their articles and who patiently accepted delays that were often far too long in the eventual publication of their work. To ensure the publication of the best manuscripts that are available to the editor, there is the need to obtain unbiased, knowledgeable, and timely reviews. These reviews were provided by the 76 members of the editorial board and on average an additional 700 referees selected each year from all over the world on the basis of their expertise and their willingness to meet timelines. Because of the dedication of these individuals, the average time required to reach an initial decision after receipt of the manuscript in the editorial office was just 35 days during the entire 5-year tenure of the editor. Thus, the second “thank you” is extended to everyone who participated in the peer-review process for the Journal. The editor must rely heavily on his or her editorial team, and in this case two deputy editors and seven associate editors, to produce a journal month after month that is highly regarded by the readers for its scientific content and for its usefulness in everyday practice. Each member of the team was selected because of a special interest and expertise in one or more areas of nephrology or a related discipline and for their ability to meet deadlines even when extremely busy with other responsibilities. Each individual played a vital role in the identification of suitable referees, in the evaluation of manuscripts, in formulating journal policy, and in developing innovative features that gave the Journal its identity. During our 5 years together, their evaluation of manuscripts was consistently thorough, knowledgeable, and without bias. Rarely did the editor feel it necessary to override a recommendation from a member of the editorial team when deciding the fate of a particular manuscript, which attests to the quality of their efforts time and time again. It seems only fitting that I comment briefly on the various experiences we enjoyed together. Corrine Antignac was appointed an associate editor in 1999. Although joining a team that was already well established, she quickly gained the respect of her colleagues and the staff with her considerable knowledge of genetics and pediatric nephrology as well as her fluid ground strokes that were displayed on the tennis court at our yearly journal retreats. Alfred Cheung served a full 5-year term as an associate editor. The breadth and depth of his knowledge in the field of dialysis is truly extraordinary, as is his appetite for work. Alfred handled more manuscripts than any of the other associate editors, thus attesting to the support received by the Journal from the dialysis community. Mark Knepper brought his expertise in renal physiology and cellular and molecular transport to the team. As a highly respected and demanding scientist, he was the obvious choice to serve as the feature editor of the “Milestones in Nephrology” series. He performed this difficult task admirably, for which I am most grateful. Our western outpost was manned by Alan Krensky, another very serious and accomplished scientist, who covered the immunology and transplant disciplines for the Journal. Fortunately, his serious side was frequently punctuated by outbursts of light-hearted humor and good-natured ribbing that kept all of us from becoming too serious at our journal retreats. Bill Mitch was the first individual to accept my invitation to join the editorial team as an associate editor. His expertise in clinical nephrology, pathophysiology of renal disease, nutrition, and management of chronic renal failure resulted in a steady stream of manuscripts flowing from Gainesville to Atlanta. In stark contrast to Corinne Antignac, Bill’s tennis strokes were not a thing of beauty, but his tenacity on the court often put him and his partner in the winner’s circle. Giuseppe “Bepe” Remuzzi proved to be an indefatigable worker who consistently carried a very large workload because of his extensive knowledge of immunology and the pathophysiology of clinical and experimental renal disease. Although later listed as a consulting editor, his workload never diminished and neither did the detailed critiques and recommendations he transmitted to the editorial office. Because of the significant increase in the number of manuscripts submitted from Europe and especially Germany, many of which dealt with topics in clinical nephrology and hypertension, it was only logical to invite Eberhard Ritz to join our editorial team after his very successful stint as editor of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation. I quickly learned that in addition to his enormous appetite for work and his extensive knowledge in experimental and clinical nephrology he was a true scholar with a great sense of humor. In Gainesville, I was extremely fortunate to have two very fine individuals, Kirsten Madsen and Tyler Miller, who accepted appointments as deputy editors. While each functioned as associate editors, Dr. Miller focusing on manuscripts involving growth factors, cell signaling, hormones, and receptors and Dr. Madsen on cell biology and renal anatomy, they also accepted additional responsibilities. Dr. Miller assisted in the selection of referees to review manuscripts and frequently provided detailed critiques of manuscripts when the review process had fallen behind. These activities plus his good humor and the “red hots” he often brought to our weekly editorial meetings were sorely missed when he departed from the University of Florida to accept an opportunity at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine earlier this year. It is quite fitting that I single out the extraordinary contributions of Kirsten Madsen to the success of the Journal. After the initial year of editorial office operations in Gainesville, she accepted responsibility for selection of the lion’s share of referees to review manuscripts. She was largely responsible for organizing the content of each monthly issue and maintaining the quality control of all illustrations. She assisted the editor in the design of the cover for each monthly issue and for the periodic supplements. Finally, she performed the final review of the monthly page proofs before the final press run for each issue. To Dr. Madsen and Dr. Miller and to the entire group of associate editors, I express my gratitude and extend a huge “thank you” for your tireless efforts and for the extraordinary level of dedication and performance you demonstrated throughout your tenure with the Journal. A journal cannot be produced without a dedicated and reliable managing editor, and each editor of JASN has been fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Bonnie O’Brien, who has served tirelessly in that role since the inception of the journal in 1990. Her experience in the publication of a scientific periodical, her knowledge of and familiarity with referees and their staff, and her commitment to excellence allows her to provide the level of support that is critical to the success of any editor. Also choosing Bonnie as a partner in mixed doubles usually guarantees victory on the tennis court. So to Bonnie and her able assistant, Marci Comer, this editor extends a well-deserved “thank you.” Finally the entire editorial team extends a “thank you” to the staff at Lippincott Williams & Wilkins for their dedicated service and support that made it possible to publish a high-impact, peer-reviewed journal month after month throughout our 5-year association. We especially wish to acknowledge the valuable contributions and professionalism of Mr. Paul Cook, account manager, and Mr. Jim Mulligan, publisher. The privilege of editing the Society’s journal is afforded to only a few and represented the opportunity of a lifetime in my professional career. However, there is a considerable personal sacrifice due to enormous and continual demands on time that one must accept, and the sacrifice extends well beyond the editor. Thus to my family and especially to my wife, Audrae, I express my most sincere “thank you” for their support, their understanding, and their tolerance. At the close of day on Monday, December 31, 2001, all activities in the editorial office on the medical campus of the University of Florida will cease. As we turn off the fax machine and computers, switch off the lights, and close the door for the very last time, it will be with the full realization that each of you has played a role in the success of the Journal. I hope you will take pride in what has been accomplished. And to each of you we extend our most sincere “thank you.”