Alfred H. Stammers, MSA, CCP
Editor
Journal of Extra-Corporeal Technology
It is indeed an honor to serve the Society in the role of Editor of the Journal of Extra-Corporeal Technology. The year 2000 has heralded in a profusion of technological and scientific advances that will undoubtedly alter our perceptions and expectations: the direction of which remains unclear. At the same time the use of extracorporeal circulation has undergone an intense scrutinization to find its ‘true’ role in facilitating the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Regardless, it would be shameless to discount the contributions to healthcare that the heart-lung machine, and those practicing the science of extracorporeal circulation, has made. The contributions that made blood flow outside of the body safe and reproducible had their origin from numerous sources that included mathematical modeling of physical and life sciences, laboratory studies of physiological and biochemical responses to extracorporeal flow, and finally clinical application and refinement. As diverse as these areas seem they all shared a common feature that continues today. Their distribution was only made possible following critical peer review and dissemination in published format. For many perfusionists and individuals studying the field of extracorporeal circulation the source for such information has been the Journal of Extra-Corporeal Technology. During the past decade Phyllis Palmer Stark, whom in June of this year stepped down from her leadership role, has expertly managed the editorial responsibilities of the Journal.
The accomplishments of Phyllis are many and those of us who have served under her have had the pleasure of learning from a dedicated individual committed to the expansion of perfusion science. Her tenure as the longest serving editor of the Journal is marked by accomplishment. She has overseen the publication of more than 350 scientific papers on every aspect of cardiovascular perfusion. She has increased the staff from 12 to 27 individuals, and expanded the editorial board outside of the geographical boundaries of North America. She has overseen the revision of the Instructions for Authors, which resulted in a streamlining of the review process. Her greatest achievements, however, can not be counted merely by reviewing the Journal productivity. They lie instead, in her unbridled willingness to assist authors in seeing their work published, many of whom were making their first foray into the field of scientific publication, and lacked the formal skills normally obtained through post-graduate education and scientific mentoring. Most other editors would simply have rejected many of these papers on stylistic or methodological grounds. However, Phyllis’ philosophy was always to assist all authors in seeing their work through to fruition. Such devotion greatly aided the struggling author, and demonstrated a kindness and compassion for those just beginning the authorship process.
As Phyllis takes time to enjoy the fruits of her years of hard work both in the clinic and in at the editorial office, we wish her best in all that she does. Weather she is participating in a research project on birding in Australia, or traveling with her family, we feel confident that her contributions to the field of perfusion will serve as a legacy worthy of emulation