It is an honor and privilege to assume the role of editor in chief of JAMA Otolaryngology鈥揌ead & Neck Surgery. As an editorial board member for the past 18 years, I have had the opportunity to work with and observe the dedication to the journal of the previous 2 editors in chief鈥擬ichael Johns, MD (1992-2005), and Paul Levine, MD (2005-2015). Dr Levine directed several recent initiatives, including the journal name change from Archives of Otolaryngology鈥揌ead & Neck Surgery to JAMA Otolaryngology鈥揌ead & Neck Surgery and publishing all content online first. These initiatives improved the journal and positioned it for much success in the future. I invite you to visit the JAMA Otolaryngology鈥�Head & Neck Surgery website, where you can watch a welcome Video.
JAMA Otolaryngology鈥�Head & Neck Surgery is part of the 糖心vlog, a family of journals that includes JAMA and 11 specialty journals. This association links JAMA Otolaryngology鈥�Head & Neck Surgery with tremendous resources, extensive physician reach, exposure to colleagues in diverse fields, and cutting-edge electronic platforms. Our print and online presence is enhanced by a constantly growing social media and multimedia presence, and a media relations program that promotes findings to print and broadcast reporters around the world. Readers and contributors will continue to benefit from the outstanding editing and world-class graphics support that also differentiates JAMA Otolaryngology鈥�Head & Neck Surgery from other journals in our field.
The mission of JAMA Otolaryngology鈥�Head & Neck Surgery is to publish the highest-quality original research, timely reviews, and informative opinion to advance the science and practice of otolaryngology鈥揾ead and neck surgery. We aim to be the definitive journal for clinical investigators, clinicians, and trainees in our field worldwide. The content area and scope of JAMA Otolaryngology鈥�Head & Neck Surgery is broad. We will publish original investigations, clinically relevant reviews, and lively opinion pieces that address the issues of greatest concern to clinicians, clinical and translational researchers, patients, and policy makers. Given the diversity of structure and function of the head and neck, JAMA Otolaryngology鈥�Head & Neck Surgery will publish clinical, translational, and population health research from an array of disciplines. Based on the classification of translational research from basic discovery to population health, a greater emphasis will be placed on publishing research focused on the translation of basic findings to clinical practice, translation of clinical insights into daily practice, and moving practice from the individual to the population level then to reinform basic science discovery research. In particular, research employing methods from clinical and public health epidemiology and health services research and research that focuses on issues of patient safety, quality, and cost-effectiveness are encouraged. As the Coursemaster for the clinical epidemiology and evidence-based medicine classes at Washington University for the past 20 years, I can assure the readership that I will place a high priority on correct study methodology and analytical approaches that accurately identify etiologies, evaluate diagnostic strategies, refine prognostic estimates, and distinguish among treatment options and outcomes. I will work with the journal鈥檚 editors, members of the editorial board, reviewers, and authors to ensure publication of the highest-quality research.
The focus of the journal will continue to include all aspects of our specialty. Traditionally, the journal has had a strong representation of research related to cancers of the head and neck. This relationship will continue as will our association with the American Head and Neck Society; this association is of great importance to the journal. In addition, research related to pediatric otolaryngology and otology has found a home in JAMA Otolaryngology鈥�Head & Neck Surgery and both will continue to be strongly represented. In the future, the readership can expect to see more articles and a greater focus on laryngology, rhinology, and sleep medicine than in the past. In addition, greater focus will be on publishing well-conducted and methodologically sound systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
The journal鈥檚 Editorial Board members and senior editors include academic otolaryngologists who are all internationally recognized as experts in their respective subspecialty areas. Neal D. Futran, MD, DMD, will serve as deputy editor for head and neck; Sukgi Choi, MD, will serve as deputy editor for pediatrics; Timothy E. Hullar, MD, will serve as associate editor for otology; and Timothy L. Smith, MD, MPH, will continue to serve as associate editor for general otolaryngology. Also continuing are Albert L Merrati, MD, for endoscopy and laryngology; Edward B. Stelow, MD, for pathology; Rebecca S. Cornelius, MD, for radiology; and Douglas E. Mattox, MD, for continuing medical education. These outstanding otolaryngologists will assist me with the review process and identification of important topics to include in the journal. Michael Johns III, MD, has agreed to serve as the new web editor and to continue to grow the journal鈥檚 internet and social media presence. Dorina Kallogjeri, MD, MPH, will serve as statistical editor for the journal. Dr Kallogjeri is the research statistician in the Department of Otolaryngology鈥揌ead and Neck Surgery at Washington University in St Louis and has a broad and sophisticated understanding of the various methodological and analytical challenges involved in clinical, translational, and population health research within otolaryngology. I also wish to introduce Karen Dodson, MBA, as the new editorial manager for the journal. Ms Dodson is manager of Professional Development and Academic Publishing Services at Washington University School of Medicine and has more than 25 years of professional experience in journalism, public affairs, and biomedical publishing. In addition, Karen and I have taught the Scientific Writing and Publishing class for the Masters in Clinical Investigation degree program at Washington University School of Medicine for the past 7 years. To better help the journal reach a global audience and to attract the best contributions from outside the United States, an international advisory editorial board will be created. This international advisory board will be comprised of leaders in the various subspecialties to better reflect the growing importance of research conducted outside of the United States.
I wish to thank the outgoing associate editors D. Gregory Farwell, MD, George H. Zalzal, MD, and Craig A. Buchman, MD, as well as the many other editors and editorial board members for their hard work, dedication, and contributions to the journal.
I look forward to leading the journal during this exciting and challenging time. I especially look forward to working with Howard Bauchner, MD, editor in chief of JAMA and the 糖心vlog. I thank Howard for entrusting me with this great responsibility. I also look forward to continuing my long-term professional relationship and friendship with Phil B. Fontanarosa, MD, MBA, executive editor of JAMA. I have much to learn from both of these wonderful leaders and appreciate all their support.
Corresponding Author: Jay F. Piccirillo, MD, Department of Otolaryngology鈥揌ead and Neck Surgery, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, 660 S Euclid Ave, PO Box 8115, Clinical Outcomes Research Offices, St Louis, MO 63110 (piccirilloj@ent.wustl.edu).
Published Online: January 7, 2016. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2015.3471.
Conflict of Interest Disclosures: None reported.