Time For Us to Bid Adieu

John P. Bilezikian, M.D.

College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032

Five years ago, I first wrote to you about the new leadership of JCEM; about how we were going to make the journal even better than it had become under the leadership of Maria New; how we were going to introduce new features of interest to our readers; how we were going to increase our visibility, our impact, and our commitment to you. We were going to establish the JCEM as required monthly reading for all endocrinologists throughout the world and make it a pleasurable anticipatory event month, after month, after month. As the Journal moves on to new leadership, it is timely to reflect upon those goals and our 5 years of stewardship. In short, how have we done? It is, of course, you, the readers of the JCEM, who make that judgment, but permit me to comment upon my view of the past 5 years.

The number of papers submitted to JCEM over the past 5 years has increased by 27% to a level approaching 2500 for the year 2004. The number of pages published in JCEM has increased concomitantly, by 26%, to a level that is now slightly greater than 6000 text pages for 2004. This translates into approximately 500 pages of original, peer-reviewed endocrinological research every month. The JCEM, as a result, has become a large, if not obese, journal! But, to maintain our acceptance rate at 35–38%, figures that seem reasonable, an increase in size was inevitable, considering the increase in submission volume.

Is the JCEM being read? The answer to this question can be found by referring to our most recent Citation Index rating of 5.87. This impact factor rating is higher than those for the other Endocrine Society journals publishing peer-reviewed, original research. It is also, to my knowledge, a higher rating than we have ever had.

Financial points in terms of income to The Endocrine Society from subscriptions, advertisements, and reprints have been driven by JCEM over the past 5 years. The Endocrine Society Journals, thus, are not only a repository of the highest level of scholarship in our field but also a source of important income to The Society. I have enjoyed working with Lenne Miller (Senior Director, Publications) and Joe Janela (Senior Director, Business Operations), who have been ever mindful of the economic issues facing The Society and its Journals.

JCEM has maintained its status as an international journal. As it was in the beginning of our term, when approximately 70% of papers submitted were not from the United States, it is also the case at the end of our term, as this figure continues to hold rather constant. In addition, we have regularly attracted papers from approximately 50 countries around the world. In an effort to recognize the international status of JCEM, the composition of the Editorial Board has increasingly represented the international endocrine community. The international composition of the Editorial Board of the JCEM is now close to 25%.

Special features have been special to us. Recognizing the fast moving pace of our field and the need to provide expert, regular commentary about important issues, we have endeavored to provide you with a variety of special features. We have published over 150 editorials in the past 5 years, commenting on original, peer-reviewed papers and published simultaneously in the issue in which the original paper appears. We have published an average of one Clinical Review per month on a timely topic. A list of other Special Features includes the following, also regularly seen in the JCEM: Hot Topics, Clinical Controversies, Perspectives, Position and Consensus Conference Statements, Genetics of Endocrine Disease, Extensive Personal Experience, Commentaries, Workshop Summaries, Problem Solving, Mechanisms of Endocrine Disease, and Images in Endocrinology. In addition, Letters to the Editor have appeared at the rate of approximately three per issue. The section entitled "Endocrine Care" has enabled practicing endocrinologists to see, at a glance, what is of particular relevance to their clinical concerns. Recognizing the importance of clinical trials, and the increased number of these studies submitted to JCEM, we are now publishing approximately five clinical trials per month.

Have we completed our task well? Again, this is for you, the readers, to judge. But in my travels nationally and internationally, I have been impressed with the number of times endocrinologists have commented to me on how they look forward eagerly to seeing what is in the JCEM every month. In fact, one endocrinologist said to me that if he does not receive the JCEM within a few days of its expected arrival, he begins to obsess about why it hasn’t arrived yet! If endocrinologists throughout the world feel they have to know what is in our journal, every month, then we have met one of our major goals.

The JCEM is a big, administrative operation. The JCEM does not appear, as it does, without much hard work. Patricia Meravy, our Managing Editor for the past 5 years, is largely responsible for the successful way in which JCEM has handled the large flux of manuscripts that have come relentlessly our way. She has worked tirelessly for the Journal, spending countless evening and weekend hours to ensure that the complex operations of the journal are handled smoothly and successfully and that deadlines are met. She has helped to implement our transition to an electronic format, a welcome development that has expedited the whole process of submission and peer review. She has been aided by a staff that has been responsive and most helpful. I also want to acknowledge the Publications Committee of The Endocrine Society. The Publications Committee unfailingly provided wise counsel. Bill Rosner and Agi Schonbrunn, the two heads of the Publications Committee during my tenure, were particularly helpful.

What can I say about the Associate Editors? That they have been with me, literally every day, for the past 5 years? That all who started with me 5 years ago are still with me? That they have displayed dedication, conscientiousness, and total commitment to our task? That their commitment to JCEM is unprecedented? That they should get all the credit for the quality and current standing of JCEM? Yes, I can make all these statements and more. Bravissimo to Andy Arnold, Beverly Biller, John Challis, David Cooper, Jeff Flier, Barry Goldstein, Bob Kreisberg, Janet Hall, Paul Ladenson, Sharon Oberfield (Deputy Editor), and Elizabeth Shane. You’re the greatest!

I also want to acknowledge the members of the Editorial Board of the JCEM who have provided unmatched service to the peer-review process. In addition, we have many other reviewers who have helped enormously in the review of papers. Finally, I want to salute you, the readers and the authors. Without you, our task becomes rather trivial. With you, our journal has become first rate and our task became even more inspired with challenges and responsibilities.

As the current leadership of JCEM takes its leave, the new leadership takes over. Paul Ladenson, the new Editor-in-Chief, will use his experience as an Associate Editor of JCEM, along with his broad and deep knowledge of the field, to advance further the JCEM. We leave you in hands that will undoubtedly further improve the JCEM and continue to make it shine as the beacon of clinical knowledge in our field.

It has been my honor and privilege to serve you and The Endocrine Society over the past 5 years.



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FIG. 1. John P. Bilezikian

 




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