The year is drawing to a close, and I have not been forced to release a statement that I am leaving The Rheumatologist “to spend more time with my family.” Once again, improbably, I have made it to the finish line. Given that, now seems to be a good time to reflect, and to give thanks.
I have previously thanked Paul Monach, MD, PhD, for having served ably in the role of associate editor for The Rheumatologist, but I wish to thank him again, this time above the fold. Paul was instrumental in keeping the ship from capsizing when I took the helm two years ago, and I am certain that you will continue to feel his influence through these pages. I am less certain—but hopeful!—that his work will continue to appear on these pages, but on a schedule dictated by him, not by us.
I am equally thankful that Ethan Craig, MD, MHS, has stepped so ably into Paul’s old position. I am also grateful that Vicky Ruffing, RN-BC, has elected to stay on as associate editor. Paul commented to me that when I appointed associate editors, I failed to specify an end date. That failure was by design; I am—again—more hopeful than certain, that the next few years will fly by, and Ethan, Vicky and I will be able to walk out the door hand in hand.
We will do this knowing that we leave The Rheumatologist in supremely capable hands, led by Keri Losavio, who I feel obligated to point out is the actual editor of The Rheumatologist. If I dropped off the face of the planet, the next edition of The Rheumatologist would still appear to clog your mailbox, roughly on schedule. The converse would not be true. Keri is responsible for ensuring that, once a month, you have something to read on flights and in the bathroom, and ensures the details are addressed appropriately, even when my own attention wanes.
Over the past year, that attention to detail has become even more important. Regular columns from the Committee on Ethics and the Fellows-in-Training Subcommittee have been joined by a regular feature on musculoskeletal ultrasound, reflecting the increasing importance of this modality to our field. Next year, this will be joined by a regular column from the Pediatric Rheumatology Committee to ensure we are addressing the needs of more of our readers.
None of this would exist without your involvement. Our pages depend on ACR members who are willing to take time out of their busy days to write case reports, review articles & other forms of reflection.
I am also proud of our other new columns. Rheumatology Lost and Found features a discussion of classic articles, including what makes them classic and why they are relevant today. The Master Clinician series features discussions with senior rheumatologists, the lessons they have learned and the lessons they want to pass along. Both series have gotten off to stuttering starts, but I look forward to watching each develop and grow.
I feel obligated to point out the obvious: None of this would exist without your involvement. Our pages depend on ACR members who are willing to take time out of their busy days to write case reports, review articles and other forms of reflection, and we are all grateful for the authors’ generous donation of their time and expertise.
In the same way, the ACR as we know it would not exist if it were not for the active participation of its members, who populate its committees, subcommittees, and task forces. As a former member of the Committee on Training and Workforce, the Annual Meeting Planning Committee and the In-Training Examination Taskforce—and a current member of the Abstract Selection Subcommittee and the development team for the ACR/Vasculitis Foundation vasculitis guidelines—I want to assure you that the ACR wants to hear your voice, as well. That said, the ACR can’t respond to your voice if you don’t speak up. There are numerous opportunities for you to become more active in the College, and I hope the next time the call for volunteers comes around, you will consider raising your hand when nominations open in March.