As we being this New Year, Gastroenterology Nursing (GNJ) has colleagues in two new roles to introduce to you. First, our new Associate Editor is longtime SGNA member, Rhoda Redulla, DNP, RN-BC, FAAN. Rhoda has been an active leader in SGNA for many years and recently joined the GNJ editorial board after serving as a valuable peer reviewer for 10 years. She is an accomplished author and speaker, with leadership and service in practice as well as international and national nursing organizations. This past year, she was inducted into the prestigious American Academy of Nursing as a Fellow, recognizing her outstanding contributions to advancing and advocating for our profession.
Longtime editorial board member, Sharon Dudley-Brown, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, FAAN, has been appointed to the role of Assistant Editor, International Content. Because of our commitment to fostering global excellence in gastroenterology nursing, our journal is recognized as the premier journal for gastroenterology nursing knowledge worldwide. As a result, our international submissions have increased substantially. Sharon's background as an advanced practice expert in inflammatory bowel disease has made her a popular international speaker and academic lecturer. Having lived and taught abroad, she is perfectly positioned to mentor and support our many international contributors, as well as recruit new international authors for the journal. Sharon's impact working to ensure our international submissions are seen in the greatest light by our reviewers has already enhanced our ability to publish global literature in the specialty that is positively impacting patient outcomes, as well as contributing quality evidence in our discipline.
We are also delighted to welcome two new editorial board members, Paula Cox-North, PhD, ARNP, from University of Washington and Katherine (Kathy) Williams, EdD, MSN, RN, CNOR, CNE, RNFA, GTS, from the American Association of perOperative Registered Nurses. Both are respected authors and speakers in gastroenterology endoscopy nursing and have been actively involved in SGNA as well. We look forward to their fresh perspectives and contributions to the journal in the years to come.
Next, I am also happy to share that as part of our GNJ strategic goals, we have launched a new program, the WRITE project, supporting gastroenterology nurses to enhance their writing skills. We are delighted to have seven highly engaged colleagues, including international participants, who are actively participating in this online program coordinated by our Associate Editor, Rhoda Redulla. You will be able to hear about their experiences and outcomes at the upcoming SGNA 49th Annual Course in Salt Lake City, May 22-24, 2022. And hopefully you will also look forward to seeing their published contributions in GNJ in the near future!
Finally, I also want to thank our many committed peer reviewers, including our editorial board members, who have given countless hours to provide thoughtful, constructive reviews to our authors this past year. I know it has taken sacrifice and commitment to set aside dedicated time to review manuscripts. Gastroenterology Nursing has been very fortunate to have a steady flow of manuscripts during the trying times of the past few years, which has not been the case for many journals. Most of us have had exhausting, trying days in the work setting this past year, primarily due to the pandemic and all that has resultingly been affected. We most definitely cannot produce a quality journal without the hard work and consistent willingness by our reviewers to give their time and expertise, making thoughtful and careful recommendations regarding the literature that will be published to shape our practice and care of gastroenterology patients. Our authors are anxious to have timely feedback following their submissions, and this cannot happen without the willingness of our reviewers to accept review assignments and provide timely feedback for these authors. Thank you so much for acknowledging peer review as both a privilege and an opportunity, as well as an important act of service. Without quality peer reviews, we have no quality journal! And to those of you interested in serving as a peer reviewer, please reach out to me for more information.
I am looking forward to another productive and rewarding year for GNJ. I am excited about the new roles and faces that are committed to our future and look forward to serving you, our readers, in partnership as we disseminate the important thoughts and work of gastroenterology nurses worldwide. I am ready for a new beginning introduced through this New Year. I ask you to make GNJ a part of your vision and commitment for 2022.