RECOGNITION
This is editorial letter number 14, which I submit to you as your Editor-in-Chief of International Surgery, the flagship Journal of the International College of Surgeons. International Surgery has had ten Editors-in-Chief since establishment of the Journal and I am the 11th Editor-in-Chief.
In my recent editorial letters, I have reported that we have made major strides, major progress, in all aspects of publishing International Surgery. We are receiving a significantly increasing number of high quality manuscripts for peer review by the members of our Editorial Review Board. As a result, we are publishing in 2014 on a bimonthly basis. The impact factor for International Surgery has increased by more than 100 percent.
In this 99.2 issue of International Surgery, I am honoring those members of the Editorial Review Board who have faithfully served me and the overall Journal team since I have become the Editor-in-Chief. These peer reviewers give their valuable time on short notice to review submitted scientific/medical manuscripts. They apply their knowledge and experience in making suggestions for improvements in manuscripts, with the goal to enhance the reporting of new scientific/medical findings to the world at large, all the while benefiting human kind. These reviewers conscientiously respond quickly, on the average, within 15 days, and thereby enable the publishing of International Surgery on a timely basis. They provide tremendous value to the scientific/medical world and do so without fanfare and publicity – a mark of integrity, in that they endeavor to do the right thing without anyone necessarily knowing. What they do is truly remarkable.
There are many truths in life. One is that it is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who receives the credit. As Editor-in-Chief, I do care that these peer reviewers receive shared credit for the major strides, major progress, that I reference earlier in this letter. This is the reason for the International Surgery Reviewer Recognition, November 2012–2013, program. I am greatly appreciative and wish all to know so. I sincerely thank those peer reviewers whose names appear in this 99.2 issue in conjunction with the Reviewer Recognition program.
I close this letter by inviting persons who have an interest in being a member of the International Surgery Editorial Review Board to personally write me a note and I promise you that you will be considered. My goal is to attract the best experts, delegate authority, and publish findings that demonstrate advances in surgical knowledge for the benefit of all worldwide.
Sincerely,
Professor Christopher Chen
Editor-in-Chief
International Surgery