During my tenure at Optometric Management, I’ve been impressed by the quality and sheer volume of contributions from our chief optometric editors. I’m also grateful for the big moments, such when Chief Optometric Editor Neil Gailmard, O.D., interviewed former President Jimmy Carter for our November 2002 cover feature.

Another moment: During his time as chief optometric editor, Walt West, O.D., visited Salt Lake City to meet with Jonathan Coon, then CEO of 1-800 CONTACTS. The resulting article, published in September 2004, presented an objective assessment of the company’s business model at the time. Yet the article’s practical message, for readers to understand what they do well and, “where room for improvement exists,” resonates just as strongly today.

A GOLDEN MOMENT

A big moment in recent years was the 50th anniversary issue of OM, one of our most successful issues to date, published in September 2015. In his editorial for the issue, Chief Optometric Editor Scot Morris, O.D., invited readers to be, “as ambitious and creative” as they desire in planning for their accomplishments.

The theme of achieving ambitious and creative goals usually ran through Dr. Morris’s contributions to OM. This approach was especially evident in OM’s redesign, which premiered in January 2013.

This issue is Dr. Morris’s last as the chief optometric editor. On behalf of the OM team, I’d like to thank him for his commitment, expertise, ambitious ideas and our Thursday conference calls where we not only discussed editorial, but also travel, lacrosse, horses, Colorado weather and family. We are fortunate that Scot will continue contributing as a member of the OM Editorial Advisory Board.

PASSING THE TORCH

The chief optometric editor torch passes to April Jasper, O.D., F.A.A.O., of West Palm Beach, Fla. The OM team is impressed with Dr. Jasper’s wide range of experience and the perspective she will bring to the pages of OM. Next month, I’ll provide a detailed introduction. For now, let me just say that we are looking forward to more big moments. OM