Expectations Exceeded

The Hospitalist. 2011 November;2011(11):

November 2, 2011 | The Hospitalist

The success, Dr. Wachter says, shows Dr. Williams was the right choice to lead JHM from birth through toddlerhood.

More importantly, Dr. Williams embraced the vision of HM leaders who believed the journal needed to be a big tent in order to succeed. “We wanted to try to somehow hit the sweet spot of being relevant and interesting to folks who practice hospital medicine in a wide array of circumstances,” Dr. Wachter says, “while also being a go-to place for researchers to submit their research. That was ambitious, and that could have failed in all sorts of directions. It could have been quite relevant to clinicians, but not rigorous enough for researchers. It could have been perfect for researchers, but the clinicians could have felt it wasn’t relative to their day-to-day life. I think the journal has done a masterful job negotiating that tight wire.”

Mark Leiser is a freelance writer based in New Jersey.

JHM Reflections

“Under Mark’s steady hand ... JHM hit the ground running and never looked back, and his successor, while undoubtedly facing a new set of challenges, inherits an enterprise that is infinitely more stable and certainly more tangible than the one Mark had the vision and courage to take the helm of. I consider it one of the great privileges of my professional life to have had the opportunity to serve with and under Mark since 2005, and he has my eternal respect and gratitude for the job he’s done as EIC.”

—James C. Pile, MD, SFHM, Case Western Reserve University at MetroHealth Medical Center, JHM deputy editor

“JHM’s integrity has been unquestioned; this is a direct reflection upon your character.”

—Jack Percelay, MD, MPH, FAAP, SFHM, E.L.M.O. Pediatrics, SHM board member, JHM associate editor

“For the past five years, Mark has helped open doors, advise me in my own career, and been a phenomenal friend, resource, and role model. It’s been a singular honor to be part of his team. ... Mark has shown a combination of operational capabilities, organizational skills, and servant leadership that is really inspirational. He sets the strategic vision and empowers his team to execute. He is always open, and he encourages ideas. He’s a facilitator, which is what a great leader is.”

—Brian J. Harte, MD, SFHM, Cleveland Clinic, JHM deputy editor

“Mark has this remarkable ability to give controlled and constructive feedback. After a string of very slow (or non-) responses from reviewers of several manuscripts, I decided to “ramp up” the number of reviewers on a manuscript that I thought was pretty decent. Being the week before the Christmas/New Year holidays, I sent the manuscript out to eight reviewers. Mark’s comment: Not a “Hey, dumbo, 8 is absurd” or a “you’re decimating our reviewer pool,” but a calm, calculated, four-word email: “Wow. 8 reviewers. Seriously.”

—Danielle Bowen Scheurer, MD, MSc, SFHM, Medical University of South Carolina, JHM associate editor

“Starting only with a vision, you’ve created an indelible mark on the field of Hospital Medicine, and have inspired others through your uncanny mix of modesty, undying praise for others’ work, enthusiasm, and high standards.

—Daniel Brotman, MD, FACP, FHM, Johns Hopkins Hospital, JHM deputy editor

“Congratulations, Mark. Your tenure as an editor is another tribute to your determination, commitment, enthusiasm, and your commitment to patients and colleagues. The evolving field is indebted to you.”

—Kelley M. Skeff, MD, PhD, MACP, Stanford University School of Medicine, JHM editorial board

“Thanks for all your hard work getting the journal off the ground. It’s been great to see it take off under your leadership, from a fledgling idea to a well-cited resource. Your passion for the organization definitely comes through.”

—Vineet Arora, MD, FHM, University of Chicago School of Medicine, JHM assistant editor