Journal introduction

Abstract

With this issue of the Journal of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (JCCT), the 39th of my tenure as editor in chief, I bid the role of editor in chief a fond farewell. The past 7 years have been remarkable. The Journal was launched in 2007 with the vision of the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) Board of Directors, and in particular Dr. Daniel Berman who correctly and clearly foresaw the need for a written voice, a journal solely dedicated to cardiovascular CT. Along with David Dionne of Elsevier, together they launched the Journal and to both much credit is owed. Among my other unsung heroes are the founding associate editors, who include a “who's who” of cardiovascular CT and to whom I am indebted for their tireless dedication of time and talent. Special thanks to them, including Suhny Abbara, Stephan Achenbach, Dan Berman, Jeff Carr, Ricardo Cury, Sandra Halliburton, James Min, Gil Raff, Michael Shapiro, and Leslee Shaw. Others have joined along the way, including Dan Entrikin, and our latest group of associate editors, including Andrew Einstein, Fabian Bamberg, Jonathon Leipsic, Jörg Hausleiter, Maros Ferencik, Mouaz Al-Mallah, Paul Schoenhagen, Richard George, Ron Blankstein, Sachio Kuribayashi, Szilard Voros, and Todd Villines. It is a deeply talented group for whom I express warm regard for their generous contributions and for ushering the Journal ahead. Beginning a journal is a slow, steady process. We appreciate the many authors who have entrusted their work to us. JCCT has steadily achieved its objectives of Medline indexing and ultimately last year its first impact factor, and the first phase of the JCCT's life now turns a page. The future should see continued growth and evolution, including enhancement of the digital journal environment. Finally, a special thanks to Ms. Anna Leong, managing editor of the Journal since its inception. Anna has been a steady force at SCCT and JCCT, working for the love of the effort and quiet, behind the scenes acclaim. She deserves our heartfelt thanks and credit for a job truly well done! The Journal stands strong and will remain the voice for the clinical, technical, and scientific developments in cardiovascular CT. I have appreciated the opportunity to serve in the role as editor and wish my dear friend Stephan Achenbach all the best: the Journal rests in the surest of hands.