Movin' On Up

Abstract

That all things are changed, and that nothing really perishes, and that the sum of matter remains exactly the same, is sufficiently certain. Upon opening this issue of the Journal, you may have noticed that the editorial page reflects that I have moved from Duke University Medical Center to the University of Wisconsin-Madison Medical Center, assuming the role of Head of the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism in the Department of Medicine. After spending almost thirty years in Durham, North Carolina, and feeling certain that this was my home forevermore, a wonderful professional opportunity lured me to a new academic environment and challenged me to re-establish a home base. In considering such a move, many factors required balancing, not the least of which is my role as Editor-in-Chief of the JBMR. Of course, my overwhelming concern in this regard was that I could continue my role with the Journal without compromising sustained progress. I am deeply grateful to the ASBMR Council for supporting me and deciding that there would be no problem for me to continue providing leadership and forging continued excellence for the JBMR. I too feel that any changes occasioned by this move will certainly not alter the progress of the Journal. However, I feel compelled to explain to you, the readership and contributing scientists, the means by which we will negate the effects of change. As many of you may remember, approximately one year ago, with the agreement of the Council, a permanent Editorial Office for the Journal was established. Such a move provided stability to Journal operations, negating the personnel changes that would have to occur every five years with appointment of a new Editor-in-Chief. Such stability has already paid dividends as the editorial office staff has created the pathway to self-publication of the JBMR beginning in January of this year. Moreover, the staff is actively pursuing efforts to computerize manuscript review, tracking and submission, all of which will contribute to a more efficient and responsive Journal operation. Indeed, the first benefit of such activity is a twenty percent reduction of the turnaround time to initial decision for newly submitted manuscripts. In any case, the concept of a permanent Editorial Office introduced the necessity for the Journal to operate in future years with an Editor-in-Chief geographically distant from the office. My decision to move, therefore, has only accelerated the provisions to accommodate the geographical separation. To this end, we have worked over the past two months to refine the communication systems necessary to effect a seamless change from local management of the Editorial Office to electronic management. I am pleased to report that these efforts have succeeded in all respects. Using the cutting edge techniques of electronic mail, internet and computer data bases, as well as the more traditional fax, overnight mail and phone communication, we have developed methods to oversee manuscript handling, review and processing that are equal to or better than before. This will permit me the additional requisite time to develop new strategies for the Journal and to maintain the success that we have already achieved. Of course none of this would be possible without the dedication of the office staff, Adrienne Lea, Heather Price, Ben Swain and Amber Williams, as well as my administrative assistant at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Carolyn Libby. In this light, I feel certain that I can assure the Journal readership and contributing scientists that we will see only improvement in JBMR operations over the ensuing months and years. Indeed, I am committed to continued introduction of novel advances and publication of the highest quality scientific manuscripts. The success of the journal depends on the dedication of the readership and contributing scientists. Thus, I look forward to continue hearing the constructive criticisms that you have voiced heretofore and to receiving excellent work from you such as that you have sent to the Journal previously. In line with current procedures, all correspondence regarding manuscripts should be sent to the permanent editorial office of the Journal, from where it is forwarded to me. (Some of you still continue to send manuscripts to Duke University Medical Center, although the editorial office has not been located there for two years. Please use the address below.) The Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 3209 Guess Road, Suite 201, Durham, North Carolina, 27705, USA, Phone 919 620 0681; fax 919 620 8465; e-mail [email protected] Regardless, from my new vantage point I am absolutely certain that you will see no change in Journal operation other than continued improvement. Thus, I feel comfortable inviting you to a continued and exciting ride to further Journal excellence. Come along and join with me.