Thanks to, and for, Primary Care Providers

They say that feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. So allow me to share what I’m thankful for as the managing editor of this journal:

• For my talented Consultant and Consultant360.com colleagues, including my graphic design and production teammates who make our print publication, website, and e-newsletters so attractive and engaging; my sales teammates who seek out and foster the relationships with the advertisers whose support allows us to publish; and my editorial teammates who share my passion for serving our readers. As a primary care provider, you understand the importance of the team approach in medicine, and so too it goes in publishing.
• For the advertising partners who share information about their products and services in Consultant. By supporting us, they also support you and your colleagues by allowing us to offer the journal and website to you at no cost.
• For the many, many authors who further the goal of lifelong learning by contributing our clinical content. In order to edify colleagues about conditions from Alzheimer disease to zoster, these altruistic physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants—most in full-time practice—somehow find the time to take photographs, compose a narrative case report, and research and write about the diagnosis and management of a condition. Then they entrust the results to us by submitting the results of their hard work to the publication process, something for which I offer my unending gratitude. (If you are considering submitting an article, photo, or case report, I welcome you to do so.)
• For the long list of volunteer clinicians who participate in the Consultant peer-review process. Their unsung efforts behind the scenes are critical for maintaining the integrity, practicality, validity, accuracy, and appropriateness of each of the clinical articles that we publish. (If you are interested in becoming a peer-review panelist, please accept this invitation.)
• For the brilliant, diverse, and selfless clinicians who serve on the Consultant editorial board. We rely heavily on their skillful guidance to navigate the information needs of the primary care health care community we serve.
• Most of all, I am grateful for you and all health care providers. Given what a typical day in clinical practice can be like, I especially thank you for taking time from your hectic professional and personal life to read Consultant and to participate online at Consultant360.com. You are the reason that Consultant has remained a top-ranking independent clinical journal among primary care providers. I am privileged to serve you.

These are just a few of the things I count among my professional blessings. I invite you to share what you are grateful for as a primary care provider. Contact me at editor@consultant360.com.

Happy holidays.

Michael Gerchufsky, ELS, CMPP
Managing Editor, Consultant