Our heritage ~ your future

Dermatology Nursing, Feb, 2008 by Marcia J. Hill

Twenty years of Dermatology Nursing, I can hardly believe it. I remember vividly the meeting to select the editor and how overcome, as well as humbled, I was to be asked to take this position. It was a frantic beginning. With a vision, skills, and resources Jannetti Publications was determined to launch this award-winning journal. All the new editorial board and I had to do was to come up with the first edition within about 4 months. Being extremely naive to the publishing world, and somewhat overzealous, I thought "no problem." Of course I had no clue about what I was agreeing to do.

Obviously the journal launched successfully. I received a "new baby" bouquet from Publisher Tony Jannetti congratulating me on giving birth to a journal. It was the shortest pregnancy I have ever had, but maybe just as painful. Due to excellent editorial guidance from Ken Thomas and great marketing from Michael Cunningham, the journal has come into its own. The many individuals who, over the last 20 years, have selflessly reviewed manuscripts have been the backbone of this success. Not to mention those individuals who took the challenge and submitted manuscripts which have provided valuable information to our dedicated readers.

A Continuing Commitment

The style of the journal, based on the feedback from the DNA membership, has evolved. Columns have been added based on the interests of the membership and other readers. New and informative manuscripts have been sought, CNE offerings have been added, and our colleagues from the Association of Dermatology Administrators/Managers now contribute a regular column, which gives us insight into dermatology office management. We also tried to make it easier to read by classifying the offerings by subject matter; we hope this has enhanced the journal for you.

Dermatology is a dynamic field; to meet your needs we must continue to listen and adapt. Thank you for giving feedback during our recent readership survey. More than 81% of you said that Dermatology Nursing is the 4#1 benefit of DNA membership. Since the organization was built out of a desire for education, this is a major compliment.

Jannetti Publications, the editorial board, all the reviewers, and I are committed to meeting your needs. We appreciate your input via the survey, but encourage you to contact us anytime with your thoughts and ideas. Our goal is to provide quality education in the most effective manner and I can honestly state that the journal has, and will, continue to do so.

Involved and Evolving

A great deal of thanks must go to Tony Jannetti for having the understanding of this very visual specialty and taking the financial risk to print an all-color journal. Thanks to our advertisers who have supported us all these years; without them we couldn't produce this journal.

Is the journal still evolving? Definitely, and it should always be evolving as the DNA membership and the specialty evolves. My pledge to you is to continue to meet your educational needs and continue to publish a high-quality, award-winning journal.

Marcia J. Hill, MSN, RN

Editor