LipidSpin - Starting With SELA

On the 15th Anniversary of the National Lipid Association, it is with some nostalgia and a considerable amount of pride that I remember the beginning of the Association and the birth of LipidSpin. The main function of LipidSpin, created soon after the incorporation of the Southeast Lipid Association (SELA), was to create means of communication with our members and be a resource for them. The main goal of LipidSpin was to provide scientific information in emerging topics in lipidology and to address practical clinical points in the treatment and diagnosis of lipid disorders. We also wanted to open a discussion on how to establish a productive lipid clinic as well as how to interact with colleagues with similar interests and develop research collaborations. Originally we planned to eventually transform the small monograph into a peer-reviewed journal. Interestingly, however, when the Journal of Clinical Lipidology emerged, we realized that LipidSpin met needs that could not be met by a regular journal. The National Lipid Association had been established and SELA, together with other regional societies, was part of it. At that point, the LipidSpin was the ideal vehicle to enhance communication among the different regions and had an important role to play in connecting the members of the different NLA regions.

Dr. Becker was the first editor of LipidSpin. She had the courage to start and develop something new. I was approached to succeed Dr. Becker and do, according to Chris Seymour, the short-lived (just one year) and easy job of editing LipidSpin. Of course, nothing in life is that simple, and I ended editing LipidSpin for several years.  Although the job could be challenging, particularly when trying to get short scientific monographs, the results were rewarding. I got to work closely and establish nice friendships with some of my colleagues during this period of time. I have very fond memories of my time as the LipidSpin editor, and I am proud of what Dr. Becker and all who followed her afterwards have accomplished.

The goal of the founders of SELA and NLA was quite simple and primarily focused on bringing forward the field of lipids and clinical lipidology to enhance the diagnosis, treatment and pathophysiologic understanding of disorders of lipoprotein metabolism and all the pathologies associated or impacted by the lipid abnormalities. Lipids play a major role in inducing and regulating inflammation and in the generation and maintenance of oxidative stress and, therefore, they impact a variety of pathologic processes. What was accomplished in the last 15 years in the field of lipidology has been remarkable, and I am proud to be part of it.