Thirty years ago, JCPMS published its first issue, consisting of 6 articles. The abstract of its opening article, focused and prescient, bears repeating:

“The number of clinical psychologists working in medical settings has grown along with the range of services provided by psychologists to patients with a multitude of medical problems across the lifespan. Medical care cost savings brought about by these psychological interventions is highlighted along with issues of public policy and specialization of training. The opportunity for ongoing development of clinical psychology in medical settings is described as unlimited and the mission of the new Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings is presented as supporting that growth.” (Rozensky, 1994)

Clinical psychology continues its evolution within nearly every type of healthcare venue and specialty. After 30 volumes, JCPMS continues to support this growth by providing an outlet for novel research and innovations in service delivery, training, consultation, and leadership in medical settings. The journal, too, is still growing while remaining committed to its foundations. In 2023, JCPMS hit an all-time high volume of manuscript submissions, just shy of 300 and almost double the number of submissions from a decade prior. Also in 2023, the Aims and Scope and submission guidelines were updated to reaffirm the journal’s mission, promote good publishing practices, and position the journal for further growth.

Not only has JCPMS evolved, but so has the job of Editor-in-Chief. It is a job that is increasingly untenable without the support of a strong team. I would like to thank Associate Editors Drs. Lora Thompson and Nataliya Zelikovsky for their outstanding work in support of the journal last year. I would also like to thank our growing editorial board, who bring a variety of backgrounds, specialties, perspectives, and institutional memory to serve the journal. Taking this appreciation one step further, this year we are delighted to honor several peer reviewers. Congratulations to Drs. Adrienne Williams, Ryan Marek, Lisa LaRowe, and Livia Guadagnoli, our inaugural Reviewers of the Year! They were selected for having consistently provided timely and constructive feedback on manuscript submissions in 2023. Moreover, Drs. LaRowe and Guadagnoli have kindly agreed to serve on the editorial board after having served as ad hoc reviewers last year. I am grateful to Dr. Lora Thompson for her contributions to award criteria and evaluation. The editorial team look forward to an annual tradition of recognizing excellence in peer review.

The year ahead brings a few other new developments that I am excited to share. At the suggestion of editorial board member Dr. Samuel Sears, in 2024 JCPMS will introduce a recurring clinical education feature. This feature is an invited submission that will accompany one or more related peer-reviewed research articles to provide brief, practical, and evidence-based recommendations for practitioners. Additionally, a forthcoming special issue, entitled “Our Greatest Resource in Academic Health Centers: Focus on Faculty Affairs and Faculty Development,” promises to highlight the unique roles that psychologists play in the faculty life cycle in academic health centers. This issue will be guest edited by Dr. Michelle Moore. Finally, I look forward to celebrating the 30th anniversary of JCPMS throughout the year with pieces that celebrate and reflect on the journal and its close partnership with the Association of Psychologists in Academic Health Centers (APAHC).

Please join me in wishing JCPMS another 30 years of growth and service to psychologists in academic health centers. Past editors of JCPMS have occasionally referred to the journal’s adolescence and young adulthood. Although in future, I might defer to others to welcome JCPMS into middle age, it is a pleasure to see JCPMS “all grown up” and thriving in adulthood. As always, I welcome your questions, feedback, and suggestions. Thank you for reading and contributing to JCPMS!

Andrea Bradford, Ph.D.

Editor-in-Chief.