For the past 7+ years, I have been privileged to serve as the editor for the Americas of Pediatric Radiology. Perhaps a greater privilege, though, has been the opportunity to work with three extraordinary assistant editors — Brian Coley, Cindy Rigsby and Geetika Khanna. In one form or another, many have said that a key to success is to surround yourself with really smart people. In my case, I have so much to thank Brian, Cindy and Geetika for.

Together, we made a great team. Management of submissions to the journal is divided among the three assistant editors and the editor. We all read everything (unless recused) and every Tuesday morning we meet via conference call to discuss the papers up for decision. Together we have happily, and sometimes groggily, slogged through Tuesday mornings for years, rarely missing a week. Of all my professional tasks, this has been perhaps the one that I most look forward to each week. For each paper, the assigned editor summarizes the content and the input of the peer reviewers. And then we discuss. Not once in 8 years has Brian or Cindy or Geetika failed in any way — they have always been eminently prepared, well-versed on the articles and the reviews and thorough, whether for their own assigned papers or those the others were managing. When extra effort was required, such as getting input from an obscure or hard-to-find expert or looking up a reference or similar articles, they did it. Each of the three is highly skilled at analyzing an article and dissecting its strengths and its flaws. I have learned so much from each of them. They each brought a different perspective based on their training, experience and expertise. Not infrequently, one of the three made an observation that was unexpected and completely reframed our discussion in one way or another. Four sets of eyes are better than one. Looking back, I can also say that Brian, Cindy and Geetika have been truly frank, honest and fair with each and every paper we ever discussed and always worked to do what was best for the authors of every paper, even with the rejections. We can thus be very proud of our work together. Brian, Cindy and Geetika have been integral in making to the journal the success that it is.

But, alas, time passes. Brian has served as an assistant editor since 2007, Cindy since 2011 and Geetika since 2013. They are busy people. Each is currently the chief of a large academic pediatric radiology division or department. Each is very active in national organizations. Each is a highly skilled clinician and devoted academic radiologist, renowned for their expertise. On very good terms, Brian, Cindy and Geetika have each stepped down as assistant editor, with Geetika finishing last December, Brian as of July and Cindy as of October (I should thank them for not all going at once!). As each has finished their tenure with the journal, it has brought mixed feelings. While I am sad to see them go, it has been a great privilege to work with each of them, to learn about radiology and life’s lessons from them, to collaboratively contribute as a team to our profession and to the health and wellbeing of children, and to develop meaningful and lasting friendships. Thank you so much!

But, all is not sad. The sequential departure of each assistant editor has opened opportunity for new blood in the editorial office. Our posting for an assistant editor position brought six delightful and talented individuals forth — I thank each of them for their interest. All six, I think, would have performed the task well. When we initially posted, we expected to select one new assistant editor, but then ended up selecting two and, eventually, three. Monica Epelman joined first, starting in January. Andrew Trout joined the team in July. Sjirk Westra will join us starting in October. As with Brian, Cindy and Geetika, Monica and Andrew have brought their great experience, intelligence and enthusiasm to Tuesday mornings. I am sure that Sjirk will do the same. Again, I am learning so much, and from new perspectives with the new assistant editors. Tuesday mornings are still a high point of the week (and COVID time has kept us very busy!). Transitions can be bumpy, but ours have not been. On we go with our important work.

So to Brian, Cindy and Geetika — thank you so much for everything! I could not have done this without you! And to Monica, Andrew and Sjirk — thank you for joining the team. I cannot do this without you (!) and I am excited to learn from you on this never-ending journey. Welcome!