O.D. TO O.D.
Parting Words
A fond farewell to those who've
helped me make the journey.
BY ARTHUR B. EPSTEIN, O.D., F.A.A.O., Chief Optometric Editor
From a distance, life appears as a
single, long journey. But as you come closer, you realize that it's
actually made up of many smaller ones. Over the past few years,
it has been my good fortune to share part of my life's journey
with some of the finest people in the eyecare field -- the
editors and writers of Optometric Management and you, OM's
readers.
While some things are better when
they stay the same, change is almost always good. Realizing the
need for change helped me make a difficult decision. This
editorial will be my last as chief optometric editor of OM. The
change will be good for me and, more importantly, good for the
magazine.
Leaving won't be easy. My work at
Optometric Management has defined much of my professional life
for the past 5 years. Many of you know me only as the chief
optometric editor of OM. It will be hard to think of myself in
any other way.
A short time ago
It seems like only yesterday that
I first ran into Sean McKinney and the other OM editors at Vision
Expo East. Sean, who'd recently taken over as OM's editor in
chief, was in front of the Cardinal Business Media booth,
literally bouncing up and down with enthusiasm.
That enthusiasm was contagious.
Soon after that, I was working with Sean and his talented crew. I
quickly earned the title of contributing editor, and with a lot
of hard work, I rose to clinical editor, directing editor and
finally to chief optometric editor.
Magazines are much like people. We're
works in progress. In a sense, Optometric Management and I have
grown together over the past few years. We've experienced losses
that have changed our courses, and we've found success in a job
well done. Today, both OM and I are different than we were, and
hopefully we're better for our combined journey.
Those who've helped along
the way
Since this is my farewell column,
I'd like to thank some of the people who've helped make my tenure
with OM a rewarding one. Thanks to Sean McKinney, my mentor and
friend. Sean was one of those people who comes into your life and
forever changes it for the better. Thanks to Larisa Hubbs, our
current executive editor whose unselfish guidance and wisdom have
been invaluable and much appreciated. Thanks to the editors who've
helped give greater meaning to my words. Their kindness and
friendship was, and is, much appreciated.
To our contributing editors, Dick
Kattouf, Jerry Hayes, Eric Schmidt and last, but certainly not
least, Jack Runninger, I couldn't have done this without you. It
has been a privilege working with such a talented group.
Finally, I'd like to thank
Optometric Management's readers. I can't tell you how much your
kind words have meant to me or how greatly I appreciated your
coming up to me at meetings to comment on an editorial or an
article. Thank you for allowing me to share some of my life with
you and for sharing some of yours with me.
A look ahead
Neil Gailmard will take over the
helm of OM, beginning with this issue. Neil is one of the most
talented O.D.s I know, and he's the perfect person to lead OM
into the new decade. I wish him the success and fulfillment that
I've experienced during my turn at bat.
Thank you again for sharing this
journey with me. I look forward to the next.
Optometric Management, Issue: January 2001