It is an honor to be promoted to co-editors-in-chief of Advances in Skin and Wound Care. We believe that interprofessional skin and wound care teams can optimize education, research, and patient outcomes. These principles are reflected in our new joint role as Advances continues to bring the latest research and information to skin and wound care professionals. As we consider the journal's evolution,1-7 our remarks are divided into three areas: the past, present, and future.
PAST
The late Dr Roberta Abruzzese, the founding editor of Advances in Skin and Wound Care (previously Decubitus), believed in the importance of education as well as the interprofessional team to prevent and treat wounds.1,2 She designed the journal to be the primary resource for busy healthcare professionals; the idea was to have all the evidence in one place to answer clinical queries.1,2 Roberta was a mentor to many in our specialty, including Dr Elizabeth Ayello and our editor emeritus, Dr Richard "Sal" Salcido. She taught us to believe in the importance of certification and competency for healthcare professionals. As Sal has said, "Certified wound care professionals will find themselves in the expanded role of mentor and teacher of paraprofessionals who will put into practice the hands-on skills they've been taught."5 We would like to honor those who came before us as editors-in-chief:
* Roberta Abruzzese, EdD, RN, 1988-1995
* JoAnn Maklebust, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, FAAN, 1995-1997
* David J. Margolis, MD, PhD, 1995-1997
* Richard "Sal" Salcido, MD, EdD, 1999-2018
PRESENT
In June, we had the opportunity to celebrate Sal and his two decades of leadership as editor-in-chief of the journal (Figure 1). Congratulations to him on his well-deserved title as editor emeritus. We are so pleased we can continue working with Sal in his new role.
As we mentioned, quality wound care depends on an interprofessional team that works together toward a common goal. Last August, we said goodbye to long-time senior managing editor Kathleen Greeves as she retired. Now, we would like to introduce the other members of the team who also will be working diligently to bring you the latest knowledge and evidence that today's clinician needs (Figure 2). They include Daniella Thoren, publisher; Jennifer Kuhn, editorial director, who is new to Advances but not new to publishing; Chloe Falivene, managing editor; and Andrei Greska, publishing and analytics associate (not photographed).
Along with the entire team at Wolters Kluwer, we are working to develop a plan that will underpin the quality, rigor, and educational offerings of the journal for the coming years. Importantly, Advances continues to be the official journal of the American Professional Wound Care Association. Further, the international, interprofessional editorial board and peer reviewer panel have been increased and diversified. The newest members of the editorial board include
* Dan Berlowitz, MD, MPH;
* Ernest Chiu, MD, FACS;
* Andy Chu, MS, RD, CDN, CNSC, FAND;
* Amit Gefen, PhD;
* Subhas Gupta, MD, CM, PhD, FRCSC, FACS;
* Jeffrey Levine, MD, AGSF, CWS-P;
* Steven Kavros, DPM, FACCWS, CWS, MAPWCA;
* Laurie Parsons, MD, FRCP(C), IIWCC-CAN;
* Barbara Pieper, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, CWOCN, FAAN; and
* Arthur Stone, DPM.
We have also updated and enhanced the author guidelines and peer reviewer instructions. Peer review is such an important part of the publishing process, so we have developed clearer directions differentiating educational and scientific submissions to facilitate prompt, constructive feedback. As always, we are seeking high-quality CE/CME and evidence-based articles, including quantitative and qualitative studies, and hope you will submit your latest research to Advances online via Editorial Manager (http://www.editorialmanager.com/lwwesubmissions).
FUTURE
Both skin and wound care practice and the world have changed since the journal began. Our mission is to be "The International Journal for Prevention and Healing," providing clinicians with the knowledge they need to translate the latest evidence into their everyday practice.
So how do we plan to accomplish this? As you might recall, in 1994, Advances announced that each issue of the journal would include a self-study article in which professionals could earn contact hours after successfully completing the accompanying test.2 Dr Sibbald, an expert with a Master's Degree in Education, has planned a 3-year cycle of topics for our continuing education articles. This curricular format will help ensure that our readers have the most current information compiled in one place. The cycle will include sections on
* local wound care: wound bed preparation, debridement, infection/inflammation, moisture management, and advanced therapies;
* leg ulcers: venous, arterial, lymphatic, and others (inflammatory, malignant, and infectious ulcers);
* foot ulcers: diabetic neurotropic/neuroischemic ulcers with complications and other causes of neuropathy;
* pressure injuries: prevention and treatment considerations, along with related changes at the end of life;
* malignant, nonhealable, and maintenance wounds;
* postsurgical, burn, and trauma skin care;
* skin: dermatology, skin tears, moisture-associated skin damage, and ostomy care;
* healthcare systems: optimizing cost-effective care;
* research methods: to improve the wound care evidence base; and
* patient-centered concerns, including pain and high-risk screening.
Beginning with the first issue, Advances has had a long history of addressing "hot topics."1 We plan to continue this tradition. We also will be soliciting your opinion on controversial topics as we forge into the new information age. We look forward to your active participation-welcome aboard!
In conclusion, the editors-in-chief before us envisioned a scholarly source for busy professionals in skin and wound care. We hope Roberta, JoAnn, David, and Sal will continue to be proud of the journal; we are proud of their leadership. Dag Hammarskjold, former United Nations secretary general (often quoted by Roberta), succinctly summarizes our feelings as we begin our time as the interprofessional co-editors-in-chief: "For all that has been, thanks. For all that will be, yes."
Elizabeth A. Ayello, PhD, RN, CWON, ETN, MAPWCA, FAAN
R. Gary Sibbald, MD, DSc (Hons), MEd, BSc, FRCPC (Med Derm), FAAD, MAPWCA, JM
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