As this is written, the last issue of volume 6 of the Journal has just been published and approximately one half of volume 7 has already been assembled and organized. During the American Heart Association meetings in Atlanta, Georgia, this past November, ASNC held its ever-expanding, behind-the-scenes series of committee and board meetings. It was at this time that initial discussions ensued about selection of the next editor of the Journal. I participated in these interchanges with the understanding that my term was to conclude in July 200 1. However, after much discussion with members of the ASNC Board, the Chair of the Publications Committee, and valued colleagues, the Editorial Office will remain in New Haven, Connecticut, for an additional 2 years, continuing through July 2003. This will result in a total of 10 years of editorship, a number I consider an unequivocal maximum. I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who personally supported this decision and urged me to continue. Positive input from colleagues and friends is a person's best validation.
In retrospect, I confess to having experienced a fair degree of unrecognized ambivalence about ending the editorship in 2001. This ambivalence had developed despite having already planned a new series of post-editorship projects for the ensuing years. It seems to me that the key issue involved in continuing in any position is not merely security, inertia, or the desire to remain in place but a strong sense and comfort in the fact that a substantial amount of growth is still possible. In any position it is very easy to fall victim to self-deception. I have asked myself on many occasions that if I were to continue, could the Journal continue to become better? At this time, I feel convinced that the answer to that question is positive. It is therefore with a new sense of excitement that I approach these 2 additional years.
At the present time I believe all of us in the field can take pride in the fact that the Journal is now well-established.