Abstract
Our journal, Veterinary Pathology, represents a pivotal vehicle for the American College of Veterinary Pathologists in meeting the educational and informational needs of our members. Additionally, the journal serves to project the broader impact of our discipline into the scientific community. In reviewing editions of the journal over the past several years, one can recognize a high quality product reflecting the excellence in operational detail by the Editor-in-Chief Emeritus, Dr. Eva Sartin, and the editorial staff. I wish to thank Dr. Sartin and her editorial staff for their contributions over the past four years as well as for managing a smooth transition of the Journal Office. In accepting the challenge of leading our journal in the future, I would like to discuss the editorial direction and process.
A critical question addresses the niche for our journal. I would see our journal as the premier forum for presentation of leading edge pathobiology research and technology, including the best mechanistic research and methods of diagnosis using molecular, cellular, and integrative approaches involving animals. Our constituency should include every basic or applied researcher using animal or cell based test systems. Furthermore, our constituency should include the professionals in veterinary diagnostics and those involved in training or teaching of veterinary students and veterinary pathologists. We should strive to be a newsworthy journal that shapes veterinary pathobiology knowledge and opinion: that informs, interprets, criticizes and stimulates.
We need to ask, “what are the reasons for reading Veterinary Pathology?” I think we can recognize the many areas of strength. But a few important focus areas exist for our members that are not currently significantly addressed. I believe, in order to expand the impact of our journal, we need to expand the breadth of topics that we publish. Publishing articles on specific topics begets more submissions of similar articles. So the future challenge will be to gain leading papers on the appropriate subject matter that are now published elsewhere. I believe that we need to enlist every member to commit to submit a manuscript to our journal.
A key tactic to broaden our focus will be in creating sections modeled along the specialty interest groups within the College. All sections have Section Editors who are recognized thought leaders in their technical area. The sections include: Experimental Disease subdivided by disease mechanism, Natural Disease (including Diagnostic Pathology) subdivided by species, Animal Models of Human Disease, Pharmaceutical Pathobiology, and Environmental Pathobiology.
In consideration of the editorial process, I think the most critical concept embodies collective leadership. We hope to build a sense of contact and cooperation, of belonging to the larger whole in the creation of a shared value framework for our journal. We want the editorial management of the journal to be a widely shared enterprise with a large cast of stakeholders.
Operationally, I believe that we must maintain the high standards in quality currently self evident. I believe that the journal staff must continually work to improve cycle times. I believe that the editorial staff must adapt to changes in information technology and operate with creativity, flexibility and innovation.
Veterinary pathologists have a large impact on the health and well being of animals and humans. Veterinary pathologists are also involved in many of the contemporary societal issues of the day, such as global warming and bioterrorism. Our journal should reflect the dimensions of our member's activities. I foresee that with our collective efforts, Veterinary Pathology will continue to grow and reflect that impact.
Carl L. Alden, DVM
Editor-in-Chief, Veterinary Pathology