The Science of Diabetes Self-Management and Care2023, Vol. 49(1) 9 –10© The Author(s) 2023Article reuse guidelines:sagepub.com/journals-permissionsDOI: 10.1177/26350106221146456journals.sagepub.com/home/tde
When I was in high school, I had the wonderful opportunity to serve as Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper. Part of that responsibility included not only writing, editing, and making sure my fellow students met their deadlines but also actually going to the printer to “paste up” each issue. Paste up is a method of creating or laying out publication pages that predates the use of the now-standard computerized page design. As a cost-saving measure, we went to the printing office after business hours, working into the night to meet our deadlines. As much as I enjoyed the process, I have visceral memory of the deadline pressure.
I have always loved words, grammar, storytelling, and reading. My family would tease that if I were stranded on a desert island, it would have to be an island with a library. I briefly considered a career in journalism, but I really loathed the deadlines. Instead, I was led to my passion and career as a diabetes clinical nurse specialist. Soon enough, I was back in the world of deadlines as I realized that I could broaden my reach beyond the patients I cared for through writing for the diabetes lay and professional communities. In 1985, I began my tenure with The Diabetes Educator journal in various editorial roles.
It has been an extraordinary privilege to serve as editor of this journal. My greatest delight has been supporting first-time authors in the often-intimidating process of publishing in a scholarly journal, and it still pains me to reject an author’s work. After serving for 15 years as Associate Editor, I informed Jim Fain, Editor-in-Chief of The Science of Diabetes Self-Management and Care (formerly The Diabetes Educator), and the Board of the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES) of my intention to step down.
I have often felt that Jim and I have team-functioned as stewards of this journal, which requires making leadership changes in times of progress and positive momentum. The Science of Diabetes Self-Management and Care has achieved its highest impact factor, a type of journal ranking used in academic circles in the evaluation of a journal’s impact and quality. Positive developments include publishing articles that reflect and advance the vision of the Association to expand the specialty beyond diabetes education. In addition, with the support of ADCES and journal publisher SAGE, the journal moved to a digital format for Association members, allowing for mobile access to content and promoting internet searches.
2023 marks the 50th Anniversary of ADCES. Both the Association and the journal, weathering challenges and opportunities, have evolved in tandem. Therefore, to close my tenure with the journal, I would like to thank those who have supported our journal and me.
It is imperative to acknowledge the ADCES staff and volunteer leadership, both past and present, for supporting a research-focused journal with a mission to advance the specialty. A journal could not function without the following groups of people to whom I offer my deep gratitude: our readers, who are passionate and deeply committed to the people they serve; worldwide contributors; extremely generous expert peer reviewers; and volunteer Editorial Board members.
It is a gift to work with Jim Fain as Editor-in Chief. He has encouraged, trusted, and stood ready to protect and defend. Our publisher, SAGE, has provided us with an international team of experts, outstanding leadership, and a production team that stood with me when we simultaneously copublished with 6 other journals! My husband Peter gives support a new meaning as he has picked up the pieces when deadlines loomed and is clearing the dinner table as I write this. I cannot forget to thank my teachers, mentors, and diabetes colleagues who have inspired and challenged me and continue to do so.
In preparing for an issue intended to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ADCES, I reviewed past issues of the journal. I was struck at how far we have come, how significant research and advancements propelled us, and how diabetes care and education specialists persevered.
The leadership of this journal remains committed to core priorities: publication ethics, sound research principles, and the importance of advancing the research supporting the specialty. With dreams for The Science of Diabetes Self-Management and Care’s future and plans for a smooth transition, I am pleased to share that Susan Sullivan- Bolyai, DNSc, RN, CNS Professor Emeritus, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, will serve as the next Associate Editor.
The members of ADCES represent different professional disciplines and are as diverse as the people we serve. This journal represents the best of us: testing embedded theories, advancing science, promoting care and education.
My work with this journal has been behind the scenes. Thank you for allowing this personal reflection. It’s time, as my mentor Jim Pichert once told me, to stop editing and continue my own research and writing. I know, more deadlines. But you can be sure that I will continue reading, especially this journal.
Virginia Peragallo-Dittko, RN, BC-ADM, CDCESProfessor of MedicineProfessor Foundations in MedicineNYU-LI School of Medicine