The final message of the year typically allows an editor to express thanks to all who have contributed to the success of the journal that he or she oversees. Because the Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy (JGPT) would not be the wonderful resource that it has become without the support and effort of many colleagues, I enthusiastically embrace this tradition.

First, heartfelt thanks to the associate editors who have been vital to the daily work of the Journal and without whom this Editor would surely flounder.

Marybeth Brown, PT, PhD, FAPTA, has shared her expertise on muscle function, functional assessment, and research design providing constructive feedback to authors in words that provide direction without harshness.

Bernadette-Williams York, PT, DSc, GCS, has recently joined the editorial team, shepherding case reports and special interest papers through the review process, graciously and effectively, as did her predecessor, Dale Avers, PT, DPT, PhD.

Kevin K. Chui, PT, DPT, PhD, GCS, OCS, provides an incredible resource on research design, statistical analysis, and geriatric orthopedics for the entire editorial team as well as for the authors whose work he reviews.

A special thanks to Rita A. Wong, PT, EdD, FAPTA, whose friendship and mentorship have been invaluable to me, for her insight and commitment to the translation of "best evidence" into effective clinical practice. Because Dr Wong has recently been offered a wonderful professional opportunity, she will be will "retiring" from the role of associate editor, but will continue her contributions to JGPT as a member of the editorial board and as a reviewer. Please join me in wishing her well in her new endeavors!

I am happy to welcome Robert Wellmon, PT, PhD, NCS, to the editorial team. Dr Wellmon has been a particularly reflective and effective reviewer, JGPT author, and participant in the 2012 strategic planning process; he will be a wonderful addition to the editorial team.

The members of the editorial board of the JGPT researchers and educators with expertise in basic sciences, physical therapy, gerontology, and geriatric medicine are from the United States, Canada, Israel, Australia, and the United Kingdom. These individuals are always responsive to request from the Editor, providing insight, suggestions, and guidance for JGPT policies and procedures, and serving as expert manuscript reviewers. I hope that each has been as delighted as I have been with the growth in number and improvement in quality of submitted manuscripts, the improvement in responsiveness to authors, and the addition of indexing in SciSearch, journal citation reports, and current contents this year! Kudos to the JGPT Editorial Board: Dale Avers, PT, DPT, PhD; Bill Andrews, PT, EdD, NCS; John O. Barr, PT, PhD; Michael Bemben, PhD; Richard W. Bohannon, PT, EdD, NCS, FAPTA, FAHA; Zeevi Dvir, PhD, LLB; Richard Fortinsky, PhD; Timothy Kauffman, PT, PhD; Sara Lamb, PT, PhD; Cathie Sherrington, PT, PhD; and Anthony Vandervoort, PhD.

Our publishers at Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins work "behind the scenes" to insure the Journal operates effectively and that accepted manuscripts become available as quickly as possible as e-pubs (searchable in Medline, CINAHL, Embase, AMED, SciSearch, journal citation reports, and current contents) and in the print version of the JGPT. The folks at editorial manager allow authors, editors, and reviewers to remain organized (and sane) during the process of submission, review, and revision.

Natasha Dougherty, senior production editor, efficiently translates raw manuscripts, tables, and figures into page proofs and finished pages and insures that each issue is effectively filled (and not too far over page allotments) and is patient with this editor who is often a bit late with the editor's message.

Paul Gee has been an incredibly forward-thinking and innovative resource as publisher, exploring ways to make JGPT much more visible in the "e-world," patiently exposing this e-challenged editor to possibilities for international collaboration, and quickly solving any and all challenges that I have brought to his doorstep. Paul has recently accepted an opportunity from the Journal of the American Medical Association to develop their e-presence; the JGPT editorial team wishes him much success in the exciting challenges that come with his new position.

Special thanks also to Section on Geriatrics President Bill Staples, PT, DPT, DHSc, GCS, and to JGPT's board liaison Mary Thompson, PT, PhD, GCS, as well as the entire board of directors for their incredible support of this Journal and its editor. Many thanks are also due to Karen Curran, executive director of the section, whose skillful organization and communication are essential for all of us! It is my hope that the JGPT, as a resource for members and as a scholarly product, well represents the mission of the Section on Geriatrics.

Finally, no journal can be effective without its cadre of reviewers who evaluate the quality and scientific rigor of studies described in the manuscripts we receive. These individuals volunteer their time and effort to provide constructive criticism and insightful comments to JGPT authors. Because of their work, the JGPT enjoys a growing positive reputation as a journal with high standards, which is also "author friendly" in the quality and scope of feedback we provide. The names of those participated in peer review during 2012 are listed on the next page.

The search for the next JGPT editor is ongoing as I write this message. I will take this opportunity to thank all with whom I have interacted during my term as editor. I have been professionally challenged, learned a great deal about scientific writing, and have truly appreciated the opportunities that I have enjoyed in my role as editor in chief. I look forward to the continued growth of the Journal, in ways beyond those I have imagined, in the years ahead!

Michelle M. Lusardi

The JGPT Peer Review Team 2012

Alia Alghwiri, PhD

Natalie Allen, PhD

Leslie K Allison, PhD

Ann Ashburn

Keith Alvin, PT, PhD

Jennifer Baird, PT, MS

Ronald De Vera Barredo, DPT, EdD, GCS

Katherine Beissner, PT, PhD

Debra Bemben, PhD

Michael Bemben, PhD

Mark Bishop, PT, PhD

Salome Brooks, PT, EdD, MBA, MA

Suzanne Brown, PT, PhD

Monica Busse, PT, PhD

Kathleen Cegels, PT, EdD

Steven Chesbro, PT, DPT, EdD, GCS

Julia Chevan, PT, PhD

Cory Christiansen, PT, PhD

Robert Clark, PT, DPT

Tracy Collins, PT, PhD, MBA, GCS

Amy Darragh, OTR/L, PhD

Henry Deiters, MPT

Tammy Dziadek, PT, DPT, GCS

Jennifer M. Fabre, PhD

Richard Fortinsky, PhD

Stacy L. Fritz, PT, PhD

George Fulk, PT, PhD

Patricia Gillette, PT, PhD

Joshua Gmitter, MPT, DPT

Laura Gras, PT, DPT, DSc, GCS

Tamara Gravano, PT, DPT, GCS

Timothy Hanke, PT, PhD

Anne Harrison, PT, PhD

Janine Hatch, PT, DPT, GCS

Dawn M. Hayes, PT, PhD, GCS

Ellen Hillegass, PT, PhD

Tiffany Hilton, PT, PhD

Kent E. Irwin, PT, MS, GCS

Maura Iverson, PT, DPT, SD, MPH

Mimi Jacobs, PT, MPT, GCS, OCS

Eric Johnson, DSc

Murat Karabulut, PhD

Michal Katz-Leurer, PhD

Justin Keogh, PhD

Dennis Klima, PT, PhD, GCS, NCS

Patricia Kluding, PT, PhD

David Lake, PT, PhD

Sandra Levi, PT, PhD

Kelly Lindenberg, PhD, MSPT

Hao Liu, PT, PhD, MD

Mark Loftin, PhD

Corrie Mancinelli, PT, PhD

Carol Maritz, EdD

Bella May, PT, EdD, PhD

Ann Medley, PT, PhD

Carol Ann Miller, PT, PhD, GCS

Ellen W. Miller, PT, PhD

Kenneth L. Miller, PT, DPT

Matthew Moran, PhD

Ruth Mulvaney, PT, DPT, MS

Theresa Nemmers, PT, PhD

Kevin Meville, PT, MS, CCS

David Pariser, PT, PhD

Gina Lynne Pariser, PT, PhD

Melissa L. Peterson, PT, PhD

Enrique Pineda, DPT, PhD, OCS, GCS

Patricia Pohl, PT, PhD

Myla Quiben, PT, DPT, PhD, GCS, NCS

Juie Ries, PT, PhD

Lori Schrodt, PT, PhD

Katherine Schvener, MS

Cathy Sherrington, PT, PhD, MPH

Veronica Southard, PT, DHSci, GCS

Brock Symons, PhD

Anthony Vandervoort, PhD

Harvey W. Wallman, PT, DSc, SCS, ATC

Sheila Thomas Watts, PT, DPT, GCS

Fran Wedge, PT, DSc, GCS

Nancy Wofford, PT, DPT, OCS

Sheng-Che Yen, PhD