JDD: Celebrating 10 Years of Publishing Excellence

June 2012 | Volume 11 | Issue 6 | Editorials | 691 | Copyright © June 2012


C. William Hanke MD MPH FACP

Abstract
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C. William Hanke MD has served as President of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), the American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS), and the International Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ISDS). He is the only dermatologist to have achieved this distinction and to have received the highest award from each organization: the Gold Medal (AAD), the Samuel J. Stegman Award (ASDS), the Frederic E. Mohs Award (ACMS), and the President's Gold Medal (ISDS). Dr. Hanke was Professor of Dermatology, Pathology, and Otolaryngology at Indiana University School of Medicine prior to founding The Laser & Skin Surgery Center of Indiana in 1998. The center is a regional referral center for skin cancer, laser, and cosmetic surgery. It houses medical and surgical dermatology clinics, a clinical research center, a dermatopathology laboratory, and an accredited office-based surgical facility. Dr. Hanke is Senior Editor for JDD.
JDD: What do you think of the concept of JDD to the realm of dermatologic literature — does it fill a gap?
Dr. Hanke: Yes, the JDD does fill a gap. The gap was identified by Dr. Perry Robins who has initiated many successful projects in dermatology including Dermatologic Surgery (formerly the Journal of Dermatologic Surgery and Oncology), the Skin Cancer Foundation, the International Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and Dermatology-in-Review, to name a few.
JDD: What has been your favorite aspect of JDD? What do you like best?
Dr. Hanke: The content of the Journal provides a great mix of medical dermatology, dermatologic oncology, dermatologic surgery, and cosmetic medicine/cosmetic surgery. I am interested in all these subject areas, so I tend to at least scan all the articles. Manuscripts from Europe and other parts of the world provide a different perspective. The many articles on clinical trials and new drugs and devices are especially appreciated.
JDD: How have you seen JDD grow over the past decade? Do you feel that the articles in the Journal have improved? Have you seen an increase in the quality of articles over the years?
Dr. Hanke: The Journal has grown in terms of both quantity and quality of manuscripts. I am certain that some authors submit to the JDD because of the relatively short publication time compared to other dermatology journals. All of us who perform reviews for other dermatology journals know that many good manuscripts are commonly rejected even thus they may be of a publishable quality. The names of many well-respected leaders in dermatology can be found as authors and coauthors on JDD articles.
JDD: What is your favorite feature of JDD?
Dr. Hanke: The special issues of JDD provide comprehensive coverage of various subjects. The guest editors of the special issues are leaders in their respective fields, and they take their assignments seriously.
JDD: Do you think the distribution of the journal to residents is a good initiative?
Dr. Hanke: The distribution of e-JDD to 23,000 dermatologists around the world enhances the reputation of the Journal in many ways. The e-subscription allows dermatologists in less-developed countries to participate in advances in dermatology at minimal cost. JDD has been a fully indexed medical journal from the onset so that published manuscripts are searchable in the medical literature.
JDD: What would you like to see more of in the Journal?
Dr. Hanke: A good deal of thought by the editorial staff and editors goes into the organization and planning of the Journal. I especially like seeing the early results of clinical trials often long before drugs are approved in the US. Hopefully early publication of the results of trials will lead to more new drugs in dermatology.
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