The Oncologist, Vol. 5, No. 1, 0,
February 2000
© 2000 AlphaMed Press
Thanks Val! And Welcome Raphael!
John E. Niederhuber, M.D., Surgical Oncology Editor, The Oncologist
Valerie W. Rusch, M.D., internationally recognized for her expertise in the surgical treatment of cancers of the lung and thorax, will be relinquishing her role as editor for The Oncologist with this issue. Dr. Rusch holds the prestigious Alfred P. Sloan Chair at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and is Professor of Surgery at Cornell University Medical College in New York City. Dr. Rusch has recently accepted the position as Executive Officer of the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG). Splitting her time between Memorial Sloan-Kettering and the ACOSOG headquarters in Chicago, she recently led the ACOSOG cooperative clinical trials group through a successful renewal of the group's NCI core support. ACOSOG is the newest NCI supported effort in the national cooperative group clinical trials arena and focuses on surgeon-oriented clinical trial questions. As a result, Dr. Rusch has asked for a change in her responsibilities as an editor for The Oncologist.
To provide ongoing leadership in the field of cancer surgery, Raphael E. Pollock, M.D., Ph.D. will be joining the board. We welcome Dr. Pollock who is Professor and Chairman, Department of Surgical Oncology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. Dr. Pollock is well known to all as a leader in the field of cancer surgery with major interests and activities in the programs of the American College of Surgeons Cancer Department and in the Society of Surgical Oncology. Dr. Pollock is recognized for his research into the genetic alterations leading to the development of soft tissue sarcoma and the translation of these findings into novel therapies. In addition to his outstanding academic accomplishments, Dr. Pollock is just as well know for his wonderful enthusiasm, his boundless energy, and the infectious nature of his love for teaching. Having personally worked with Raphael on many occasions, it is truly a pleasure for me to welcome him as a new editor for The Oncologist. I am confident he will enjoy working to ensure the successful future of this journal as much as I and my colleagues do.
Dr. Rusch, an extremely busy cancer surgeon and an experienced clinical trialist, has given freely of her time and has provided leadership which has been vital to the rapid early success of this journal. It has not been many years (May 1995) since a small group of us met to explore a vision for a new publication that would strive to bring the rapidly advancing knowledge of the biology, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer to cancer physicians around the world. The repeatedly stated goal has been "to improve the care of the cancer patient through shared knowledge." Without question, the rapid success and worldwide acceptance of our venture has been both humbling and extremely gratifying. It was recognized from the beginning that accomplishing the "vision" would depend heavily on our ability to network among many friends and colleagues—experts and teachers in their respective fields—convincing them of the worthiness of giving of their precious time to share their knowledge with others through the laborious process of written communication.
Dr. Rusch has been there from the beginning and her knowledge of cancer surgery and her position of respect in the professional community as the "Thoracic Surgeon Professor" at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center has been vital to the success of The Oncologist. We, the founding editors, extend a hearty "thank you, Valerie." We do so with great respect and admiration for a wonderful colleague. We recognize that these simple words of thanks are much too inadequate to express our true feelings of appreciation. Perhaps the real gratitude comes over time with a recognition that a project such as this has made a real difference. We hope Dr. Rusch knows that through her important contributions during the journal's formative years, she will always share in whatever success The Oncologist enjoys in the years to come. While she will be dearly missed at the regular planning meeting of the Editors, Dr. Rusch will continue to serve on the journal's editorial review board and, I am sure, realizes all too well that we know how to find her.
Thanks Val! And welcome Raphael!
