Diana Mason at a farewell lunch in AJN’s offices, Tuesday, May 28.
Today is my last day as editor-in-chief of AJN. When I arrived in 1999 I had a vision for repositioning the journal and along with a superb editorial team have worked hard to realize that vision. In April AJN was selected by the BioMedical and Life Sciences Division of the Special Libraries Association as one of the 100 most influential journals of the century in biology and medicine (the only nursing journal to make the list). That single accomplishment speaks volumes about the commitment to excellence that we’ve embraced, as had my predecessors at the journal. Look for my Editorial in the July issue, where I’ll say more about this.
The challenges facing publishing demand new visions and renewed energies. I’ll continue as editor-in-chief emeritus during a transitional period; I’ll help to search for a replacement, complete work on some projects, and post to the blog and write for the journal as needed. The journal is in the capable hands of Maureen Shawn Kennedy, AJN’s editorial director, and the remaining staff, some of whom have worked at the journal as long as or longer than I have.
In September I’ll hold an endowed chair at the Hunter–Bellevue School of Nursing, at the City University of New York. There I’ll be implementing a new vision: I’ll be starting a center for health media and policy with my radio buddy and nurse colleague Barbara Glickstein. We’ve been developing the concept for such a center for years, and I’m delighted that we’ll now be able to work to bring it to fruition with the full support of Hunter College.
To work for this historic journal for the past decade has been a privilege; look for new postings to this blog from me in the coming weeks. My thanks to all of you, AJN’s loyal readers, for 10 years of support, commitment, and encouragement.
—Diana J. Mason, PhD, RN, FAAN, AJN editor-in-chief
Diana:
Your superb vision and leadership at AJN has indeed inspired all of us. I will miss your monthly editorials— each with important lessons and some with explicit directions.
We are proud of the many successes achieved during your tenure at AJN and welcome to the Hunter Bellevue School of Nursing Community.
Donna Nickitas, Old Greenwich Ct.
Diana—it was great to have you in Denver. Wow–will you be missed. You have greatly influenced the nursing profession. Thanks for the quality work that you always seem to produce.
Colleen Goode
Diana,
Congratulations on all you have achieved as Editor of AJN over the past 10 years. I’ve enjoyed the vision you provided for AJN and nursing. Your direction helped fellow editors, like me, to see the importance of the vision and influence we can have with our own publications.
I applaud your creation of a center for health media and policy. Health care and nursing need a champion like you to lead us in that sphere of influence. Best wishes to you in your new endeavor!
Jane Hokanson Hawks, Underwood, IA
Congratulations! In taking your new position Ms. Mason could you be a voice for nurses there as you have been at AJN. I am referencing the need to make ALL healthcare facilities LATEX FREE. There is no reason for hospitals / healthcare facilities to use latex gloves. There are alternatives. I speak to nurses everyday that have left their most loved profession due to this allergy. Offering latex free gloves for nurses to use is not enough. The potential for a reaction is still there with co-workers using latex gloves. By not removing all latex gloves from use we continue to put non-allergic people at risk for developing the allergy. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Sylvia Williams
Destin Florida
What you did for AJN and nursing was nothing short of a miracle! I have benn reading AJN since I entered nursing school at Bellevue Hospital School of Nursing in 1961. During that 48 year period there was only one period of time when I looked forward to every issue and read it – that was during your tenure as editor. Your contributions to our profession are extraordinary and apprecited. Best wishes in yor new endeavors at Hunter-Bellevue. Peter Ungvarski, New York City
Diana, I want to echo comments from fellow Texan Mary Anne Hanley & other bloggers that you’ve played a seminal role in raising our collective consciousness about nurses engaging in the policy process. As a nurse ethicist, I’ve also appreciated your ongoing dialogue over the years about nurses acting as moral agents and challengers of the status quo. Keep your voice, visibility, and good humor at the new Center for Policy and Media at Hunter! Cheyenne Martin, Galveston
Diana, Life speeds by so slowly. Your leadership and amazing accomplishments in the media have enhanced and illuminated the professional image of nursing around the world! May your new adventures in academia bring you joy and enough challenges to spice your day!
Mary Anne
Diana,
Your leadership, vision and passion transformed the AJN and brought it to new standards of clarity and quality as the voice of our profession. You encountered some major challenges along the way – but you faced them successfully and with remarkable equanimity.
I am so appreciative of all that you have done. And I am looking forward to working with you as we both begin in our new positions at Hunter!
— David Keepnews
Dear Diana,
You are a wonderful editor and a visionary in where nursing services should go. Congratulations in your new position – your passion for health media is evident in evident in your current position and in your new one. Good luck and best wishes in your next challenge!
Kathy Kelly, Family Caregiver Alliance, San Francisco
Dear Dianna,
While a tremendous loss for the AJN your new position is a wonderful gain for our profession. Your vision and commitment to advancing nursing through the media is so vital in these times. The potential to advance “radical” change in our media, using your power and passion is now. Go for it and know that there is an army of nurses supporting you!
Diane-
I am so sorry to hear of your leaving the AJN– you have “fought the good fight, you have won the race” for nursing, as you brought AJN into an entirely new paradigm. When the “separation” occurred, I was terribly sad (more for the organization than the journal), but you were able to rise above the circumstances and raise the journal to a level that, perhaps, that could not have been achieved in its previous state.
At the risk of being politically incorrect (but who cares at my age), I will pray for your success in your new position.
-jane bliss-holtz
Dear Diana, you have had such an important influence on nursing through your work as editor of AJN–I am particularly grateful for your commitment to enhancing the journal’s focus on care of elders. You will be missed. Enjoy your new position! Hunter is very very fortunate to have you. I look forward to hearing about it next time we see each other.
Dear Diana:
Through the years I’ve had occasion to work with you as colleague and friend. You were always available both personally and intellectually; never too busy to take a call or to return a call; always upbeat and positive about nursing and the challenges it faces. Your winning smile and warm approach to individuals and to our profession will serve Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing as it has served AJN over the past decade. Please accept my congratulations and best wishes for a future filled with success and happiness.
Harriet
Wow. I’m sure you will be missed at the journal! I’m really excited to hear about your new ventures at Hunter. Best of luck and keep in touch.
Naomi
Diane,
Over the years I have read your editorials and they are always pointed and efficiently state the true reality of the problems we as nurses are dealing with. I recall when ANA wanted to disassociate themselves from AJN and make their own journal. I never liked the ANA version and I agreed with you that it was not a good choice for them to do this.
I remember another column about the AMA and their treatment of Advance Practice nurses. I hope that doctors everywhere will realize that there is room on this ship for all of us and we all play an important part in health care and more so in the future as people live longer and public money needs to stretch farther.
I am glad you are moving on but will
miss your unique contribution to the AJN.
Thanks again and best of luck.
Debra Rolland
When you started up at AJN, Diana, I was already editor of the equivalent journal in the UK, Nursing Times. We had links across the pond and it felt we were in step on a similar mission – to use the power of the nursing media to support nurses and bring about much-needed changes in nursing and healthcare. Meeting up again with you at a recent conference in Wales was a further reminder of your great talents and immense achievements. It’s wonderful that you will put them to good use in your new project. I and other friends in the UK look forward to being involved in whatever way we can, because the nursing movement is truly an international movement.
Dear Diana,
Congratulations for all you have done at the American Journal of Nursing and on your new position at Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing!! You are terrific and always in the forefront. I am so glad you will be developing a center for health media and policy. This is a major accomplishment and very timely. Of course, you know that I wish you were still at Pace University. I wish you much ongoing success!
Best regards,
Lillie
Dear Diana,
It has been an honor and a pleasure to know and work with you over the years. I learned much about nursing leadership and ethics from you and how to write a column when shepherding the occupational health back page for AJN in past years. Best regards for the next fun and fabulous phase of your career, Susan Wilburn
Diana,
You have been an inspiration to so many in the nursing profession and beyond, including me. Your contributions to AJN and insistence on excellence and scholarship in publishing have left a definitive mark. I feel very privileged to personally know you. Congratulations on all you have accomplished and good luck on the things yet to come. Always friends.
Dear Diana
As a long time AJN reader, I have learned much from you and AJN during the last decade. You have taken AJN to new heights. It has been an honor to support you and the journal. I wish you and AJN continued success.
Annette
Diana,
Wow! Thank you so much for your amazing contribution to nursing journalism excellence during your years at AJN. You have made it the premier nursing journal; I have been proud to work with you, to benefit from your expert editorial eye, and to see my work published in AJN. I have no doubt that in your new position you will forge new paths of excellence and continue to be nursing’s number one champion. I hope we can stay in touch. Best Wishes, Cortney Davis
Diana Mason,
You have been and continue to be an inspiration to me. Thanks to your example after many years I completed my PhD and now embark on a career in research at Beth Israel. Hunter College will benefit from your wisdom and experience. Sincerely, Sheree L. Loftus, PhD, GNP-BC, CRRN
Diana: I will miss your vision, leadership, and of course the editorials. Can’t wait to hear from you as you implement a new vision. No doubt your work will continue to help our profession. Best wishes, Lia van Rijswijk
Diana: you have the whole package: bright, innovative, creative, quick wit, and caring, of course. I will miss you greatly in this role, but know that you will do great things with whatever you decide to do in life. You have helped me in my job and in my life. Very fondly, Sue Hassmiller
Diana, You have always been a leader in the eyes of so many. Congratulations on all of your accomplishments. I am eager to learn more about your new vision as it develops. Best wishes, Maryanne Bezyack
Diana, best wishes to you. For years now, I’ve read your editorials as I’ve walked from my mailbox to my house. I applaud you for being direct and articulate in saying what’s on your mind. You’ve been a visionary leader for AJN and I wish you all the best.
Dear Diana,
Definitely your vision, insights, and passion have brought excellence to AJN-a highly respected journal. You are such a wonderful editor, mentor, and afterall an excellent nurse! Enjoy your new adventure and surely a lot of success will follow as a result of your visionary and passionate efforts. Congratulations and Best Wishes!
mei
Dina,
Best of luck. Hope yuo will stay connected with INANE…
Joyce
Diana, you have been a wonderful editor, and I have looked forward to your always timely editorials, written with such a refreshing candor. I have felt your personal touch in items I have submitted over the years, and know that it reflects your values as a nurse. You have maintained the highest integrity of AJN over the course of your tenure, and I wish you all joy and furture success in the years to come.
Diana, you bring excellence wherever you go and then you share it with everyone so we will all continue to reap your rewards. Congratulations on your new positions and center. When do you meet with Oprah?
Diana, I wish you well in your new position and I want you to know how much I appreciate your contribution to AJN’s quality over the past 10 years. Thank you for creativity and courageous editorship above and beyond.
Barbara J. Holtzclaw
Dearest Diana,
You have been such an inspriration and visionary to so many. I cannot wait to hear about your new journey and the passion you will continue to bring to all those you touch. Congratulations – and hugs!!!
Diana, Congratulations and thank you for all you do for Nursing and Health Care. You have been a wonderful mentor and friend. Your visionary work at the AJN is deeply respected and valued by nurses worldwide. I am looking forward to watching, and perhaps participating in, your next exciting venture.
Diana,
You exemplify the editorial heritage of this very special journal–strong, intelligent women with visions of nursing beyond those of their times. I will miss your editorials, your vision for the journal and for the profession and wish you well in your new and exciting venture.
Diana,
In all my life, I have never met anyone as open-minded, as joyful, as ethical, as honest, or as supportive as you. Each person lucky enough to know and/or work with you is better for the experience.
Your incredible vision for AJN, and the work you and your staff have accomplished over the past decade, has brought the journal to an extraordinary place of distinction. I don’t believe there is a topic you won’t address head on. Bravo!
Thank you for having the courage and the energy to prod us out of our complacency and remember our original commitment and passion. I look forward to your future accomplishments!
Thank you Diana for your outstanding leadership at AJN. You have made such an important contribution to promoting quality nursing care of older adults. Hunter is very fortunate to have you join their faculty and to initiate such a innovative center.
Congratulations Diana. I wish you well in your new endeavor.
Marion
You have brought honor to AJN and honors to the journal and the profession. Your dedication to the highest standards of editorial integrity are a beacon for nursing (and anybody else). We will miss your voice and your humor and your pithy editorials but we will watch with admiration as you develop the next stage of your investment in the discipline. Cheers, indeed!!!!
Diana, you have been an inspiration to me as I finished my nursing education and developed professionally. You helped me with the vision for my Masters’ Dissertation (Analysis of the Student Section of the AJN). I thank you for all you have done for me and for helping to grow nursing into the 21st century. I am going to greatly miss your leadership at AJN but I will definitely stay in touch!
Diana,
Thank you for your remarkable leadership at AJN. This journal has played a powerful role in the life of American nursing for over 100 years and your efforts saw it become it’s most influential. Congratulations on your new role!
Congratulations, Diana – you do an excellent job wherever you go. God Bless, your radio colleague, Shelton Walden
Diana,
You are an inspiration to nurses everywhere. I deeply respect your thoughtful and creative ideas and the vison through which you’ve guided AJN. Working with you over the past several years has been such a pleasure. I’ve benefited immensely from your wisdom and support. I hope this new opportunity brings you joy and satisfaction and allows you to continue to be seen as one of nursing’s greatest!
Diana
You have been a wonderful friend and mentor over the past 10 years. You will be a loss to AJN – you made it inyour unique style, making it a wonderful resource to nurses. I wish you sucees and happiness in your new job. Please keep in touch.
Diana,
You brought to AJN excellence. I will miss your monthly refreshing editorials. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to participate on the editorial board and for others to read my viewpoint.
C. Alicia Georges
It has been wonderful to work with you and to be associated with such a great journal. Thank you for your hard work and your mentoring . Best wishes in your new endeavors.
Best wishes to you, Diana. I have really enjoyed your writing here and I look forward to staying in touch with your work.