The End of a Term: Looking Back with Gratitude

Frances Neagley, BA, CNMT, FSNMTS, RT(N)(R) Editor, JNMT

It has been 5 years—from 2007 through 2011—and 20 issues of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology and, of course, 20 editorials. Somehow it still seems new to me, and I still look at it all with a sense of awe and trepidation. It is no secret really that I hate to write and how I appreciate those who write well; but this editorial is important to me. It is my last chance to officially and publically thank all those who made the last 5 years so productive and so special for me.

My associate editors are very special people and were always supportive and helpful. Kathy Thomas and Jennifer Prekeges were my general nuclear medicine and molecular imaging advisors. Paul Christian was my computers and instrumentation consultant. Danny Basso covered cardiology issues, and Martha Pickett responded to everything about education and advanced practice. Robert Schleipman had research and investigative experience, and Michelle Beauvais is a radiopharmacist. Elpida Crawford was tireless as the continuing education associate editor. Ann Steves was the reference editor for the first 6 months of my term, as she had been for so many editors before me. I always knew that I could call or email any one of them and they would be there for me, whether it was a simple question or a submission I could not quite resolve.

The physicians and scientists who made up my consulting editors were equally supportive. Randy Hawkins, at UCSF, was nearby and a quick reference for all my questions. Mark Tulchinsky, James Carey, Fred Fahey, and Robert Callahan became friends and supporters. Mike Graham, even with all his extra duties as president of the SNM, always came to my rescue whenever I needed it.

I had such great support in the SNM communications department also. Susan Alexander was there for me every day (and a lot of nights) whenever I had a question, a problem, or just wanted to vent. First Ann Coleman and then Susan Nadolny did their best to keep me on track with my editorials and the selection of the cover images. Steve Klein helped me with the JNMT cover design before I started my official term and then went on to achieve outstanding success getting advertisers into the JNMT. Rebecca Maxey kept all of us organized and working together.

And then there were the reviewers. I don't know how many technologists, scientists, physicians, or radiopharmacists I asked to review every submission, just to get 2 or 3 who would agree to the task. Sometimes it was only 10, but often it was 20 or 30. I got better over time at sorting my requests, and certainly, there were reviewers who always agreed and who did an outstanding job every time; but I really tried to avoid asking anyone (with some special exceptions) to review more than 1 submission a year. I was heartened to see more technologists register as reviewers during my term. Peer review is such a special part of the journal process, and the work of reviewers is much appreciated. I only hope more technologists will continue to sign up as reviewers.

I guess that is enough about the last 5 years; now we need to look at this December issue. We did not get a true continuing education article this time; but there is a practice guideline, on somatostatin receptor scintigraphy, that has continuing education questions and credits. There are a number of imaging articles, along with a radiopharmacy article, a brief communication, and a case report. Hopefully, there is something for everyone.

So, even if this is my last issue, I won't be far away. I will continue to be the NCOR representative from the Northern California chapter for a while, and I will be chairing the SNMTS grants and awards committee for the next year. I hope to see some of you at the mid-winter and annual meetings in Florida next year. And, as always, you can reach me at fneagley{at}pacbell.net.