As we enter a new year, oftentimes, we try and reflect on the past year to get our bearings. Reflection can be tough, and frequently our mind wanders to seemingly random thoughts. If we are lucky, sometimes, these random thoughts coalesce.
Recently, I was honored to join the Women's Health Student Special Interest Group (SSIG) during their monthly e-board conference call. Following their business meeting, these interested students reserve a portion of this call to discussing a research article they have read related to Women's Health. What a pleasure it was to engage in this thought-provoking conversation about research with students. I was so very impressed by their commitment, especially when you consider that they are volunteering their time in addition to the demands of PT school. Their enthusiasm was inspiring. My thanks to Julie Jenner, Kayley Mikolajczyk, Valerie Adams, and all of the other SSIG members for the invitation and reminding me that knowledge is best shared.
At the journal, Associate Editors and I have been looking for ways to help our reviewers. We understand the importance of the role reviewers play in improving the quality of our scientific discourse, contributing to the profession and the time commitment it takes to complete a review. We are adding a tab to the Journal of Women's Health Physical Therapy Web page with information assisting reviewers, old and new, with this process. We'd also like to make it easier for new reviewers to apply and learn "the ropes." I am proud of the work the Associate Editors and reviewers are doing, dedicating volunteer time to enhance our journal.
This year we have a record number of posters and platforms encompassing a variety of topics all under the umbrella of the Section on Women's Health. As you peruse through the abstracts, you are aware of the tremendous research effort it took to produce this work. Many of these individuals worked tirelessly in addition to full-time jobs and family commitments because they were driven to do more, to understand more, and give back to the profession by providing new insights.
What motivates someone to add to his or her crowded workload to join a Special Interest Group, become a journal reviewer, or stretch his or her resources through the hours needed to complete a research project? I was struck by the common theme-a passion for your work and the desire to simply be better. I think we all would like to be better at our jobs, with our families and friends, but we don't always have the will to put this desire into action. In the words of Elizabeth Andrew, a 20th-century labor organizer in Wales, "Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart." In this new year, I hope that you will have the heart to be better.
I am honored to announce that Mary Dockter, PT, PhD is joining our JWHPT editorial team as Senior Editor. She epitomizes our shared dedication to scholarship and service. Mary is currently the Chair of the Physical Therapy Department at the University of Mary, School of Health Sciences in Bismarck, ND. As an author of many peer-reviewed articles and as a manuscript reviewer for several journals, Mary brings considerable research acumen. She is a distinguished SOWH member, well-known for her tremendous contributions, including Director of Education, work on the ABSPT Standard Setting Committee for Women's Health Specialist Certification, entry-level standards for women's health curriculum, and residencies. We are excited to welcome Mary and look forward to collaborating in an effort to make the journal better.
-Cynthia M. Chiarello, PT, PhD
Editor-in-Chief