As incoming editor-in-chief of the Journal for Healthcare Quality (JHQ), the official publication of the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ), it is my pleasure to write this first editorial. That my editorship of JHQ begins in 2016 concurrent with NAHQ's 40th anniversary offers an opportunity to learn from the past and shape the future. JHQ's rich history provides a sound foundation to propel the journal into a new era. This editorial highlights the journal's history and presents a roadmap for the future.

First published in 1977 as View and Review, the official newsletter of NAHQ's precursor organization, the National Association of Quality Assurance Professionals (NAQAP), JHQ has indeed come a long way. In 1979, the newsletter evolved into the Journal of Quality Assurance and in 1991, when the association changed its name to NAHQ, it became JHQ. Thanks to the efforts of many early NAHQ leaders and a series of rotating volunteer journal editors; in 1998, JHQ adopted a new business model appointing the journal's first paid editor-in-chief, Luc Pelletier. From 1998 to 2007, Pelletier shepherded JHQ's unprecedented growth and its reputation as an award winning journal. Followed by Maulik Joshi's editorial leadership from 2009 to 2015, JHQ today continues as a highly respected scholarly journal garnering prestigious industry awards and achieving in 2015 its first ever impact factor of 1.4. Targeting an audience of healthcare quality management professionals responsible for promoting and monitoring safe, cost-effective high-quality healthcare, JHQ articles address multiple aspects of quality in healthcare delivery across the care continuum and in diverse settings. Staying abreast of industry trends and in alignment with NAHQ's trademarked Q Essentials, JHQ continues to inform professionals of all disciplines with special issues targeting emerging care delivery models, transitions in care, and population health. Every issue offers one continuing education article promoting continuing competence in the field and providing credit toward recertification as a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ).

That JHQ is positioned well for the future is an understatement. With the vast resources of our publishers since 2015, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a division of Wolters Kluwer Health, our strong associate editor team, and robust editorial board, we are working toward new milestones. Innovatively shaping the future involves valuing our history and leveraging our strengths. Guiding principles that will inform the work of JHQ moving forward will be development in five key areas, which include:

* Providing high quality, timely, and relevant content that enhances competence of the future healthcare quality professional.

* Maintaining scholarly rigor of the journal while simultaneously translating research findings into practice, addressing the learning needs of our readers, and strengthening our alignment with NAHQ for maximum knowledge dissemination.

* Recognizing and cultivating outstanding journal authors and reviewers for their current and sustainable contributions to the journal.

* Building leadership capacity for continuing our unyielding commitment to healthcare quality and safety emphasizing the Q Essentials.

* Broadening our interprofessional collaborative base to enhance our partnerships, influence, visibility, and impact beyond existing circles.

Please join me in celebrating our rich history. We toast to our bright future as we begin JHQ's next 40 years.

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