You Always Need an Organization

As an editor, I've always understood that readers aren't interested in reading reports about the editor's personal life (unless it's absolutely sensational) and his or her problems. The readers have enough problems of their own. I try to avoid cluttering up the copy with chatty personal tidbits. But these comments are about a group of wonderful people who took over and produced the October 2013 issue, 23:1, of Quality Management in Health Care when I became incapacitated by pneumonia with complications in mid-September just as deadline approached.

Unwisely, I tried to tough it out at home for a couple of weeks but finally gave into reality. I was admitted to our local hospital, where I remained for a little over a week at precisely the worst time if you're publishing a periodical-about 2 weeks before deadline. I couldn't have chosen a worse time. Our neighborhood hospital happens to be the home base of one of the country's major medical teaching centers. Despite the excellent care I received, my return to a normal working pace at home was slow. Throughout this difficult period, all of my Lippincott colleagues gave me invaluable help. I want them to know that I'm eternally grateful. In particular, I wish to thank Sandra Kasko, our group publisher, and Donna Tarman, production editor; who took over and got the issue into print.

-Jean Gayton Carroll, PhD

Editor

Chicago, Illinois