As I began to think about the transition period for ACT, it occurred to me that 2003 is the perfect year to retire. It is an appropriate decade marker. In 1953 I started writing news releases as information officer for the Pacific Northwest region of our ski patrol organization. In 1963 I got my first paid job as an editor with the Colonial Williamsburg News. (I had been editing newsletters for nonprofit organizations while also working in radio and television news.) In 1973 I began my brief stint as a copywriter for an advertising agency where, among other tasks, I wrote “articles”—thinly disguised promotional material—for trade journals. In 1983 I finally completed my B.A. in journalism, one year ahead of my eldest son.

After nine years in editorial positions with four other magazines published by this company, 1993 marked the beginning of my decade as editor of ACT. An interesting and exciting decade this one.

In the clinical trials community, changes take place so often—and are so often dramatic—that I have never been bored for even one day. New regulations, guidelines, and business models come along at a rapid pace. Technology continues to offer an abundance of new tools, methods, and procedures to help clinical trials professionals face their long-standing pressures to complete studies with adequate evaluable data and to do so ever more quickly—and at the lowest possible cost.

The signature line on this page identifies me as the editor-in-chief, because this farewell column is being written before I take up my new position as editor emeritus. Before I hand the reins to the new driver of this vehicle, I want to thank our readers for their questions, suggestions, and ideas. Thanks also to the advertisers that make your free subscriptions possible.

And my deepest heartfelt thanks to past and current members of the Editorial Advisory Board. As we point out at the bottom of page 10, “The expertise of Editorial Advisory Board members is essential to the credibility and integrity of Applied Clinical Trials. These clinical trials experts share with the editors the wisdom gained through their experience in many areas of drug development.” I cannot imagine editing this magazine without their generous volunteer work.

Next month, this space will be occupied by ACT’s new editor-in-chief, who joins the company in our Iselin, New Jersey, office on Monday, 30 June 2003.

I’ll leave the formal introduction to her, but I will tell you that after my first conversation with Toby I felt confident that I’ll leave the magazine in good hands. It also became clear to me that boredom will no more arise during the transition period than it has during my tenure here. It’s going to be fun to work with her.

Jane Ganter Editor-in-Chief
fax: (541) 984-5250
email: jganter@advanstar.com