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.