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Sylvia J. Peterson, An Acclaimed Executive Editor
CREST
editorials
Sylvia J. Peterson, An Acclaimed Executive Editor Peterson has chosen to retire at a time in her Sylvia life when she and her husband, John, are vigor-
ous and eager to experience new adventures together. A uniquely talented professional, she has shared her publishing skills with three Chief Editors of Chest . J. Arthur Myers , MD , Professor of Medicine, University of Minnesota, served as the Editor of Chest until 1967, followed by my term in office. The current Editor-in-Chief, Dr . A. Jay Block, assumed office on July 1, 1993. Throughout these years, Mrs. Peterson was a pillar of strength providing prompt, courteous service to our readership. Beginning as editorial assistant, Mrs. Peterson was promoted to the position of Executive Editor in 1972 and then was named Director of ACCP Publications in 1984. She received the degree, Bachelor of Philosophy, from Northwestern University during the early years of her service to this College. Sylvia entered ACCP employment (then located at 112 East Chestnut Street in Chicago) when there were only eight employees in the headquarters of our society . At that time, the journal, known as Diseases of the Chest, had approximately 75 pages of editorial material each month with only a few advertisements. Approximately 300 manuscripts were sent to the editorial offices from throughout the world each year. Her office was witness to a remarkable historical and phenomenal growth. Current issues of Chest contain 400 pages of which 328 are scientific editorial communications. Each year more than 2,200 manuscripts are sent to the editorial offices of our society. Throughout these years of almost unbelievable progress and growth, Sylvia supervised an office which provided affable and swift assistance to all authors. Currently, the Division of Publications includes two copy editors in-house, two copy editors out of office, three secretaries, an advertising production manager, a subscription manager and assistant, and a "desk top " publishing assistant. Sylvia supervises all phases of publication, including editing, proofreading and layout and is responsible also for providing a budget for the Executive Director. The tasks cited above comprise only a portion of the many tasks that Sylvia has performed so brilliantly. Publication programs of ACCP ha ve included the printing of a number of distinguished textbooks in cardiopulmonary medicine and surgery including
two editions of Clinical Cardiopulmonary Physiology . She has shepherded all of these texts from the manuscript phase through ultimate successful publication and distribution. She faced new challenges when the College published quarterly journals and bulletins including Pulmonary Critical Care Update , Cardiopulmonary News and Interoieuis, Chest Soundings and a number of other fraternal and scientific publications. One of the most difficult tasks for any publication office is to meet the challenge of special issues in addition to the usual monthly society journal. These supplemental special issues require enormous flexibility and skill if they are to serve as positive additions to the 12 issues of the society periodical. Many societies have found it impossible to publish special issues because of these difficulties, even though it is recognized that peer-reviewed special issues offer unique educational contributions to the clinician . A striking example of Sylvia Peterson's skills is attested to by the fact that in recent years she has assisted the Editorin-Chief in publishing as many as 14 special issues within a single year in addition to the 12 regular issues of Chest . During the transition period in July 1993 and the months thereafter, when a new editor assumed office for Chest , Mrs. Peterson provided a remarkably effective and smooth transition. Our Editor-in-Chief, A. Jay Block, MD, FCCP, joins me in praising the dedication, the devotion, and the skill of our Executive Editor. In addition to these unique gifts, Sylvia Peterson in her demeanor represents the warmth and friendship which characterizes the membership of the College and the staff . Sylvia has been present at nearly all annual scientific assemblies and international congresses and has made a host of friends throughout the world , as well as in the United States. As the time of her retirement neared, I asked her how she will remember the American College of Chest Physicians and she said , " I recall above all that I have been privileged to meet and work with some very special people during my years at the College." We , as members of this College and staff , have been privileged to work with a very special person, Mrs. Sylvia Peterson. Alfred Soffer, MD, Master, ACCP Glenview, Illinois
CHEST /105/6/ JUNE. 1994
1633
editorials
Sylvia J. Peterson, An Acclaimed Executive Editor Peterson has chosen to retire at a time in her Sylvia life when she and her husband, John, are vigor-
ous and eager to experience new adventures together. A uniquely talented professional, she has shared her publishing skills with three Chief Editors of Chest . J. Arthur Myers , MD , Professor of Medicine, University of Minnesota, served as the Editor of Chest until 1967, followed by my term in office. The current Editor-in-Chief, Dr . A. Jay Block, assumed office on July 1, 1993. Throughout these years, Mrs. Peterson was a pillar of strength providing prompt, courteous service to our readership. Beginning as editorial assistant, Mrs. Peterson was promoted to the position of Executive Editor in 1972 and then was named Director of ACCP Publications in 1984. She received the degree, Bachelor of Philosophy, from Northwestern University during the early years of her service to this College. Sylvia entered ACCP employment (then located at 112 East Chestnut Street in Chicago) when there were only eight employees in the headquarters of our society . At that time, the journal, known as Diseases of the Chest, had approximately 75 pages of editorial material each month with only a few advertisements. Approximately 300 manuscripts were sent to the editorial offices from throughout the world each year. Her office was witness to a remarkable historical and phenomenal growth. Current issues of Chest contain 400 pages of which 328 are scientific editorial communications. Each year more than 2,200 manuscripts are sent to the editorial offices of our society. Throughout these years of almost unbelievable progress and growth, Sylvia supervised an office which provided affable and swift assistance to all authors. Currently, the Division of Publications includes two copy editors in-house, two copy editors out of office, three secretaries, an advertising production manager, a subscription manager and assistant, and a "desk top " publishing assistant. Sylvia supervises all phases of publication, including editing, proofreading and layout and is responsible also for providing a budget for the Executive Director. The tasks cited above comprise only a portion of the many tasks that Sylvia has performed so brilliantly. Publication programs of ACCP ha ve included the printing of a number of distinguished textbooks in cardiopulmonary medicine and surgery including
two editions of Clinical Cardiopulmonary Physiology . She has shepherded all of these texts from the manuscript phase through ultimate successful publication and distribution. She faced new challenges when the College published quarterly journals and bulletins including Pulmonary Critical Care Update , Cardiopulmonary News and Interoieuis, Chest Soundings and a number of other fraternal and scientific publications. One of the most difficult tasks for any publication office is to meet the challenge of special issues in addition to the usual monthly society journal. These supplemental special issues require enormous flexibility and skill if they are to serve as positive additions to the 12 issues of the society periodical. Many societies have found it impossible to publish special issues because of these difficulties, even though it is recognized that peer-reviewed special issues offer unique educational contributions to the clinician . A striking example of Sylvia Peterson's skills is attested to by the fact that in recent years she has assisted the Editorin-Chief in publishing as many as 14 special issues within a single year in addition to the 12 regular issues of Chest . During the transition period in July 1993 and the months thereafter, when a new editor assumed office for Chest , Mrs. Peterson provided a remarkably effective and smooth transition. Our Editor-in-Chief, A. Jay Block, MD, FCCP, joins me in praising the dedication, the devotion, and the skill of our Executive Editor. In addition to these unique gifts, Sylvia Peterson in her demeanor represents the warmth and friendship which characterizes the membership of the College and the staff . Sylvia has been present at nearly all annual scientific assemblies and international congresses and has made a host of friends throughout the world , as well as in the United States. As the time of her retirement neared, I asked her how she will remember the American College of Chest Physicians and she said , " I recall above all that I have been privileged to meet and work with some very special people during my years at the College." We , as members of this College and staff , have been privileged to work with a very special person, Mrs. Sylvia Peterson. Alfred Soffer, MD, Master, ACCP Glenview, Illinois
CHEST /105/6/ JUNE. 1994
1633