- Email: [email protected]
A Tribute to Ruth Young, Founding Editor
editorial Without a special occasion or designation, this issue of JOGN is special, for several reasons. The most obvious of these is a change in the type faces used throughout the Journal. This change was necessitated by the conversion to a more modern and efficient typesetting process by the typesetter/printer. We welcome changes made in the name of efficiency and think that the Journal has also gained some distinction with this change. We hope the readers share this opinion. We also feel that this issue offers articles of exceptional quality, utility, and interest. We are particularly pleased to present in “thoughts and comment” an article about the problems faced by involved new fathers. The author has been encouraged to submit the article to a widercirculation magazine, and we wish him luck, because his experiences and insights could obviously inform and inspire a more general
audience than JOGN’s. Your attention is also called to the general interest article on taking objective tests; we urge you to share it with your colleagues who d o not generally see JOGN. Notwithstanding the fact that a new Editor is listed on the masthead, a special occasion at least in the new Editor’s view, most of the credit for the strength of this issue belongs to, in addition to the authors, the former Editor, Ms. Pam Saroff. Just as her dedication and talents have gone into making JOGN a quality publication since the pilot issue was in the planning stages, the Journal will benefit for some time to come by the work done by Ms. Saroff. Ms. Saroff came to the staff of JOGN as Assistant Editor to Mrs. Ruth Young, who served as Editor during the planning stages and for three years following. W e are pleased to present the following tribute to Mrs. Young, by a member of the Editorial Board.-MH
A Tribute to Ruth Young, Founding Editor As a member of the original Editorial Board of JOGN Nursing, I requested the privilege of composing a tribute to Mrs. Ruth Young, RN, the first editor of JOGN. I made this request for four reasons: 1) I have known Ruth Young since 1950 when she was a strident in the School of Nursing at Evanston Hospital. I had begun my private practice there in May of that year.
2) Ruth served as Instructor of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Evanston Hospital School of Nursing from November 1967 to October 1971, and I was appointed Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in September 1965. Obviously, she and I had a close professional relationship during that time. 3) When Rtith was being considered for the position of Executive Secretary of NAACOG, the distinguished former Director of ACOG, Michael Newton, MD, solicited my opinion on her qualifications. I performed my greatest disservice to 12
the hospital with which I had then been associated for 19 years: I insisted there could be no superior candidate for this fascinating new challenge. Furthermore, I demonstrated some of the qualities which have been referred to as “greater love hath no man,” etc., for my support of Ruth for her new position: I lost my substitute and vacation nurse, who taught me much of what I know about office obstetrics and gynecology. 4) I have served on the Executive Committee of NAACOG for over two years, am about to complete a three-year term on the Executive Board of NAACOG, and will conclude a four-year assignment on the Editorial Board of JOGN at the end of 1975. I have missed only one meeting of these three groups and have watched Ruth Young, in her dual assignment as NAACOG Executive Secretary and JOGN Editor, participate in and conduct her portions of these gatherings with professional savoir faire. I really believe that I am a n authority regarding JOGN’s founding editor. September/October 1975 JOGN Nursing
My additional reference soiirces for this tribute are: a) The personnel records of Evanston Hospital relating to Ruth Young. These records include many complimentary remarks, only one of which I will quote (last sentence, last page, from the Director of the Evanston Hospital): “would ,, rehire-at any time.
b) Multiple conversations with Michael Newton, MD. Michael felt that Ruth functioned superbly in her dual assignment. H e and I served simriltaneorisly on the Executive Board and the Executive Committee of NAACOG and the Editorial Board of JOGN, and we reviewed Ruth’s analyses and presentations on many occasions. I cannot believe that he would have altered any of my comments had I afforded him that opportunity. c) Marciis T. Young, husband of Ruth Young. H e must be regarded as a covert coauthor, for his assistance was surreptitiously obtained. When this tribute is published, I will send Ruth the three-page documentary which he promptly and meticulously prepared. He tells of his wife’s strong, early, basic religious training; her graduation at the top of her high school class, and her determination to obtain a BS degree in Nursing from Northwestern University. H e writes of his intense pleasure in attending her graduation.
d ) Pam Saroff, another past editor of JOGN and distinguished coauthor. In precis form, I am going to present certain of Pam’s data, prepared at my reqi 1es t :
Mrs. Young became Executive Secretary of NAACOG on November 1, 1971, and on November 19, 1971, a bomb fell when she was given the additional assignment of Editor of JOGN. This distingriished three-year editorship ended Dcccmber 31, 1974, when Ruth relinquished this position due to the added responsibilities incurred by the Association’s growth. Ruth’s resignation was accepted by the Executive Committee of NAACOG with enormous regret. [And the resignation was softened only by the Committee’s complete confidence in the abilities of her s~iccessor.] During Mrs. Yoring’s tenure as Executive Secretary, the Association has: -Increased membership from 4,664 members (as of December 1971) to 12,564 members (as of July 1975).
-Added
the category of Associate Member of NAACOG.
Septernber/October 1975 JOGN Nursing
-Developed the first NAACOG postgraduate courses, which were first given at the 1973 District Conferences. -Held the first National Meeting of NAACOG, April 27-May 2, 1974, in Las Vegas, Nevada. ---Prepared and published the manual, Obstetric,
Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing Functions and S tandurds. -Developed an Oficer’s Manual of guidelines on Association business and a Conference Manual of guidelines on programs. -Established the annual Davis and Geck Awards for excellence in articles published in JOGN
Nursing .
-Established the Purdue Frederick Fellowships, which help regular and associate members of NAACOG finance their continuing education in OGN nursing. In a concluding vein, I wish to speak of Ruth Young as an editor. To begin a new journal while simdtaneoiisly serving as Executive Secretary of NAACOG and without a journalism background has to be some sort of a first in the annals of nursing. An editorship entails contracts with the publisher, finding money, approving advertisements, soliciting articles, finding prospective authors, encouraging inexperienced authors, proofreading, composition, et cetera, et cetera. JOGN today is a beautiful creation, as handsome and erudite a nursing journal as is currently offered to the nursing profession. This accomplishment is Ruth Yoring’s, though the Journal has improved tinder both editors and will, I predict, continue to improve and gain in circulation.
I was there when JOCN was born, and I helieve that we selected a jewel as our first editor. And although I can speak with certainty only for myself, I believe I speak for other members of the Editorial Board (and with the permission of my incomparable wife) when I conclride by stating that this tribute is written personally to Ruth Yoring with respect, with gratitude, and with love- and with every good wish for her futrire. W. MCELIN,MD, MS, FACOG, FACS THOMAS Member, Editorial Board ‘3
audience than JOGN’s. Your attention is also called to the general interest article on taking objective tests; we urge you to share it with your colleagues who d o not generally see JOGN. Notwithstanding the fact that a new Editor is listed on the masthead, a special occasion at least in the new Editor’s view, most of the credit for the strength of this issue belongs to, in addition to the authors, the former Editor, Ms. Pam Saroff. Just as her dedication and talents have gone into making JOGN a quality publication since the pilot issue was in the planning stages, the Journal will benefit for some time to come by the work done by Ms. Saroff. Ms. Saroff came to the staff of JOGN as Assistant Editor to Mrs. Ruth Young, who served as Editor during the planning stages and for three years following. W e are pleased to present the following tribute to Mrs. Young, by a member of the Editorial Board.-MH
A Tribute to Ruth Young, Founding Editor As a member of the original Editorial Board of JOGN Nursing, I requested the privilege of composing a tribute to Mrs. Ruth Young, RN, the first editor of JOGN. I made this request for four reasons: 1) I have known Ruth Young since 1950 when she was a strident in the School of Nursing at Evanston Hospital. I had begun my private practice there in May of that year.
2) Ruth served as Instructor of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Evanston Hospital School of Nursing from November 1967 to October 1971, and I was appointed Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in September 1965. Obviously, she and I had a close professional relationship during that time. 3) When Rtith was being considered for the position of Executive Secretary of NAACOG, the distinguished former Director of ACOG, Michael Newton, MD, solicited my opinion on her qualifications. I performed my greatest disservice to 12
the hospital with which I had then been associated for 19 years: I insisted there could be no superior candidate for this fascinating new challenge. Furthermore, I demonstrated some of the qualities which have been referred to as “greater love hath no man,” etc., for my support of Ruth for her new position: I lost my substitute and vacation nurse, who taught me much of what I know about office obstetrics and gynecology. 4) I have served on the Executive Committee of NAACOG for over two years, am about to complete a three-year term on the Executive Board of NAACOG, and will conclude a four-year assignment on the Editorial Board of JOGN at the end of 1975. I have missed only one meeting of these three groups and have watched Ruth Young, in her dual assignment as NAACOG Executive Secretary and JOGN Editor, participate in and conduct her portions of these gatherings with professional savoir faire. I really believe that I am a n authority regarding JOGN’s founding editor. September/October 1975 JOGN Nursing
My additional reference soiirces for this tribute are: a) The personnel records of Evanston Hospital relating to Ruth Young. These records include many complimentary remarks, only one of which I will quote (last sentence, last page, from the Director of the Evanston Hospital): “would ,, rehire-at any time.
b) Multiple conversations with Michael Newton, MD. Michael felt that Ruth functioned superbly in her dual assignment. H e and I served simriltaneorisly on the Executive Board and the Executive Committee of NAACOG and the Editorial Board of JOGN, and we reviewed Ruth’s analyses and presentations on many occasions. I cannot believe that he would have altered any of my comments had I afforded him that opportunity. c) Marciis T. Young, husband of Ruth Young. H e must be regarded as a covert coauthor, for his assistance was surreptitiously obtained. When this tribute is published, I will send Ruth the three-page documentary which he promptly and meticulously prepared. He tells of his wife’s strong, early, basic religious training; her graduation at the top of her high school class, and her determination to obtain a BS degree in Nursing from Northwestern University. H e writes of his intense pleasure in attending her graduation.
d ) Pam Saroff, another past editor of JOGN and distinguished coauthor. In precis form, I am going to present certain of Pam’s data, prepared at my reqi 1es t :
Mrs. Young became Executive Secretary of NAACOG on November 1, 1971, and on November 19, 1971, a bomb fell when she was given the additional assignment of Editor of JOGN. This distingriished three-year editorship ended Dcccmber 31, 1974, when Ruth relinquished this position due to the added responsibilities incurred by the Association’s growth. Ruth’s resignation was accepted by the Executive Committee of NAACOG with enormous regret. [And the resignation was softened only by the Committee’s complete confidence in the abilities of her s~iccessor.] During Mrs. Yoring’s tenure as Executive Secretary, the Association has: -Increased membership from 4,664 members (as of December 1971) to 12,564 members (as of July 1975).
-Added
the category of Associate Member of NAACOG.
Septernber/October 1975 JOGN Nursing
-Developed the first NAACOG postgraduate courses, which were first given at the 1973 District Conferences. -Held the first National Meeting of NAACOG, April 27-May 2, 1974, in Las Vegas, Nevada. ---Prepared and published the manual, Obstetric,
Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing Functions and S tandurds. -Developed an Oficer’s Manual of guidelines on Association business and a Conference Manual of guidelines on programs. -Established the annual Davis and Geck Awards for excellence in articles published in JOGN
Nursing .
-Established the Purdue Frederick Fellowships, which help regular and associate members of NAACOG finance their continuing education in OGN nursing. In a concluding vein, I wish to speak of Ruth Young as an editor. To begin a new journal while simdtaneoiisly serving as Executive Secretary of NAACOG and without a journalism background has to be some sort of a first in the annals of nursing. An editorship entails contracts with the publisher, finding money, approving advertisements, soliciting articles, finding prospective authors, encouraging inexperienced authors, proofreading, composition, et cetera, et cetera. JOGN today is a beautiful creation, as handsome and erudite a nursing journal as is currently offered to the nursing profession. This accomplishment is Ruth Yoring’s, though the Journal has improved tinder both editors and will, I predict, continue to improve and gain in circulation.
I was there when JOCN was born, and I helieve that we selected a jewel as our first editor. And although I can speak with certainty only for myself, I believe I speak for other members of the Editorial Board (and with the permission of my incomparable wife) when I conclride by stating that this tribute is written personally to Ruth Yoring with respect, with gratitude, and with love- and with every good wish for her futrire. W. MCELIN,MD, MS, FACOG, FACS THOMAS Member, Editorial Board ‘3