Dear Colleagues,

I hope the start of 2019 has been a good one for everyone. We have much to anticipate in the coming year with the journal and NPWH. For now, though, I want to take a look back at 2018, recognize the many individuals who helped us have an excellent year, and celebrate all we have accomplished for the journal.

I’ll start by thanking all the authors of articles published in the 2018 issues of the journal. They brought us high-quality, interesting, and clinically useful information for our everyday practice. The wide variety of content provides something for every reader. As special recognition, we asked readers to choose their Women’s Healthcare 2018 Favorite Articles. Congratulations to these winners:

Feature Articles

• First place: The ABCDs of bacterial vaginosis: Abnormal flora, Bothersome symptoms, Chronicity, and the Differential diagnosis, by Alisa Pascale, DNP, WHNP-BC (December 2018)

• Second place (tie):
Dense breasts: Cancer risk and supplemental imaging modalities, by Mary Ellen Egger, APN, WHNP, CBPN and Diana L. Lam, MD (March 2018)

Caring for women with disabilities during the perinatal period, by Lorraine Byrnes, PhD, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, CNM, FAANP; Mary Hickey, EdD, WHNP-BC, FNP; Jin Young Seo, PhD, WHNP-BC; and Lorie Goshin, PhD, RN (December 2018)

Department Articles

• First Place: Policy & practice points: Cultivating your inner Wonder Woman: Policy advocacy, by Diana M. Drake, DNP, MSN, APRN, WHNP-BC (March 2018)

• Second Place: Commentary: WHNPs in specialty programs: My experience in breast surgical oncology, by Caitlyn E. Hull, MS, APRN-CNP, WHNP-BC and Randee L. Masciola, DNP, APRN-CNP, WHNP-BC (September 2018)

I also extend a special thank-you to all the individuals who peer-reviewed manuscripts for us in 2018: 

We rely on their thoughtful and expert feedback to ensure that the articles we publish are the very best.

Our editorial advisory board (EAB) members continue to provide guidance on potential topics and format for the journal. They do this by reviewing feedback from readers on what they want to know more about, staying abreast of contemporary issues, and participating in a yearly meeting. Some of our EAB members also contribute by peer-reviewing manuscripts and submitting manuscripts of their own. I am pleased to welcome Lorraine Byrnes as our newest member of the board.

The HealthCom Media publishing team is outstanding. They bring together diverse talents that keep us moving forward and looking our best. Their commitment to publishing a journal we can be proud of is apparent in all they do. It continues to by my honor and delight to work in partnership with Dory Greene, our journal’s managing editor, as we share a passion in what we do. I appreciate beyond words her expertise, dedication, professionalism, and kindness.

Our Women’s Healthcare journal team includes editors, authors, peer reviewers, EAB members, publisher and publishing staff, and NPWH staff, board of directors (BOD), and CEO Gay Johnson. We all look forward to continuing to provide you with a variety of high-quality, interesting, and clinically relevant articles in 2019.

Beyond the journal, I want to recognize individuals who have participated on writing groups that create NPWH position statements. These individuals bring expertise and dedication to a process that takes time, discussion, and an ability to interact in a meaningful way to create a product that reflects the NPWH mission and values. In 2018, the NPWH BOD approved four new position statements:

• Cervical Cancer Screening

• Men with Breast Conditions: The Role of the WHNP Specializing in Breast Care

• Male Sexual and Reproductive Health: The Role of WHNPs

• Brain Health is Women’s Health

The writing group members for these position statements are:

Reviewers and individuals who provide feedback through public comment strengthen our position statements. I want to thank all who participated in this process.

We expect 2019 to be another busy year as NPWH continues to grow and provide the services and products we hear that our members want. We look forward to seeing you at NPWH events and hearing from you throughout the year!