This issue marks a transition in the Editorial Office of the journal. Some familiar names will move into new positions, new colleagues will join the Editorial Board, and others will move on to top leadership roles in the Society. These changes occur in the context of a journal that is relevant; accessible to clinicians, educators and researchers; and (most important of all) acts as an advocate for WOCN members and all clinicians interested in wound, ostomy, and continence practice.
As with all good things, stability and service do not happen by chance. Each issue represents the culmination of a great deal of hard work by authors, peer reviewers, section editors, the managing editor, and the editor-in-chief. Every manuscript you read has been prepared by authors who poured their knowledge, passion, and insight into a written document to represent some aspect of their practice. The manuscript is then reviewed by 2 peers, a section or feature editor, and the journal editor. After substantive issues are managed, it moves to the desk of our managing editor, who reviews the article word for word and citation for citation to ensure technical accuracy and maintain a consistent style. After all of these steps, it moves to the publisher, where it is poured into a manuscript format for the printed issue and for posting as a pdf file electronically available to readers throughout the world.
From 2000 to 2005, Katherine Moore has served as Editor-in-Chief, most recently with Paula Smith as Managing Editor. Their hard work is reflected in every issue of the journal you received during their tenure, culminating in accomplishments that may not be readily apparent to readers, even though their hard work profoundly affected the quality and standing of the journal in the medical/healthcare literature. One example of this is Dr Moore's work with the International Academy of Nursing Editors to ensure that the Journal of Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing, along with other nursing journals, is recognized by Thompson Scientific and should ultimately be given an impact factor. The term impact factor is derived from the number of times a journal is cited in other professional literature as a reference. There are numerous reasons why this matters: (1) it increases our prestige and admits us to the inner circle of top medical journals, (2) it attracts the attention of authors worldwide who seek to publish the latest research or clinical insights in a journal with higher impact factors in their field, (3) it is the gold standard that healthcare libraries use to select which journals they provide for their readers, and (4) it establishes a benchmark for the growth of the JWOCN as the journal for wound, ostomy, and continence practice.
This issue marks the appointment of a new Editor-in-Chief, a new Managing Editor, new Section Editors for Ostomy and Continence, and new Feature Editors for Spotlight on Research and Evidence-Based Report Card. Each of these individuals was selected for his or her proven track records as editors, authors, peer reviewers, and volunteer workers.
Gary Mawyer, Managing Editor. The managing editor runs the day-to day business of the journal, and few persons in the country are as qualified as Gary Mawyer. Gary holds a Master of Fine Arts degree with a focus on creative writing. He has served as Editor for the Virginia Transportation Research Council, as technical editor for the Journal of Urology (Investigative Urology Section) for 14 years, and the US Research Section of the World Journal of Urology for 3 years. In addition, Gary served as Executive Secretary for the WOCN Center for Clinical Investigation for 5 years, providing him with an extended experience with our Society and the challenges we face related to strengthening the evidence base for practice.
Barbara Hocevar, Ostomy Section Editor. From its historic roots at the birth of WOC practice to its current position at the center of practice and research, the Cleveland Clinic and its WOCNEP program remain integral parts of our identities as WOC nurses. As a member of the faculty and WOC nurse, Barbara Hocevar has published in the journal, served as a peer reviewer for this and other journals, and contributed to the careers of countless WOC clinicians and patients. Barbara is a grounded clinician, expert and clinical investigator and will make an effective section editor.
Katherine Moore, Continence Section Editor. Katherine has been involved with the journal for more than 15 years as author, peer reviewer, and most recently, Editor-in-Chief. It is no exaggeration to describe her as a globally known continence nurse; she serves on the prestigious Cochrane Collaboration and has attracted scores of valuable articles to the journal that we would otherwise not have been able to publish. Under her leadership, the continence section will continue to thrive and reflect the global influence of the JWOCN.
Donna Bliss, Research Spotlight and Director, WOCN Center for Clinical Investigation. Donna Bliss is a Professor and the Horace T. Morse/Alumni Association Distinguished Teacher at the University of Minnesota. She is also one of the world's top researchers into fecal incontinence, an issue at the heart of WOC practice. Donna has long served as a resource for the WOCN and more recently as a member of the Board for our Center. On October 1, 2005, Dr Bliss became the Director of the Center for Clinical Investigation. As part of this role, Donna will serve as Feature Editor for the Research Spotlight. This is a logical position for Dr Bliss, allowing her a regular forum for helping all of us make the transition from clinicians to clinical investigators.
JoAnne Whitney, Evidence-Based Report Card. Already established and well known in the field of wound care, Dr Whitney's career has taken off since we first met several years ago. Dr Whitney is now Professor of Nursing at the University of Washington in Seattle and was inducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing in 2004. Joie moves from the Research Spotlight to take on the Evidence-Based Report Cards. Under her leadership, you will notice some changes in this regular feature of the journal, including a growth in the number of persons authoring the Evidence-Based Report Card and the variety of topics covered.
Dorothy Doughty, Wound Section Editor. Little needs to be said about Dorothy. She is the WOCNEP director for Emory University, educator, clinician, clinical investigator, mentor, and past president of the WOCN. To me, Dorothy is the living embodiment of full-scope practice, and I will continue to rely on her advice and insight not only as wound care expert but also as one who truly sees WOC practice as it was, as it is, and as it can be.
Janet Ramundo, Clinical Challenges. This section of the journal has long been a favorite of many readers, including me. It serves as a more informal way of communicating issues facing us in daily practice, and it ensures an exploration of multiple solutions to a single case or clinical scenario. In addition, it provides an unsurpassed opportunity for the novice author to publish a first manuscript. Yet despite all of its popularity, editing this section remains one of the most difficult positions on the Board. Janet is an excellent mentor and editor and you should look forward to further evolution of this essential component of our journal.
Some things familiar, some things new. Much of my role as Editor will be as steward and advocate rather than "captain." What you can expect from me is ongoing support of the authors, peer reviewers, and editorial staff as they continue to produce the high-quality product you see every other month. Among the newer things you will see phased in over the next several issues include a fast-track manuscript system, allowing key contributions and "hot topics" to move from submission to publication in as little as 4 months, far quicker than the average peer-reviewed journal. You can also expect that I will meticulously maintain an editorial process that works with authors to create a publishable article, including integrated and supportive assistance with revisions when indicated. In addition, you can look forward to a journal that continues to balance research and clinically based articles designed for WOC nurses and clinicians first and foremost. You can also expect to see a continuation of CE articles in every issue and supplements that provide a more detailed look at a relevant clinical issue or disorder.
I, in turn, need your help. First and foremost, I need you to contribute to the journal as author and peer reviewer. If you have never published and feel intimidated, start with a Clinical Challenges or "View from Here" piece. If you are a more experienced author or have an idea for a review article, case study, case series or systematic review of evidence, contact us or go online at http://www.wocn.org to learn more. Finally, you may expect to find an unsolicited request to serve as an author, peer reviewer, or manuscript reviewer for the journal via e-mail. If you do, follow up and get involved!! Ultimately, this is our journal and reflects the best ongoing record of our practice. I may be acting as temporary steward but we as the WOCN Society are its permanent stewards, and I need your active involvement to create the type of evidence base for practice that reflects our essential role in healthcare.