Editor's Corner: Care "In the Trenches," Anything but Monochromatic or Simple

As always, LipidSpin is a labor of love – to collaborate on a selection of contributions that we, as Lipid Specialists within the NLA, see as critically important topics for in depth review and dissemination.

The process by which each of these journal editions evolve is well-oiled through years of practice and refinement but done with explosive creativity each time. As the editor, it is always a joy to see how an initial theme, which is selected by the presidents of the chapter(s) accountable for that edition, systematically develops. The theme selected is agreed upon after lively discussion, authors are selected and the topics themselves materialize within the major sections of the journal construct and mature. Through an extensive editorial process, for which I am deeply grateful to our engaged, informed and talented group of associate editors, we arrive at our final product. 

This edition is so conceptually representative of the NLA itself as an association. We intentionally have a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusivity – and that idea is central to the series of articles we present.

We as clinicians in modern day 21st century medicine recognize the importance of caring for patients in a guideline driven, evidence-based fashion. Yet, we don’t treat carefully selected study populations in our hospital and clinic practice – we treat real people who show up on our doorstep – often referred by our colleagues who are asking for help in providing the highest caliber of thoughtful management. 

So, it is our responsibility as the Lipid Specialist to understand the nuances of that evidence based optimal care as they apply to specific diverse populations. We provide the “detail” beyond the clinical basics, because we have intentionally explored the depths of clinical and scientific knowledge in our specialty.

In this journal we look at dyslipidemia in specific populations in terms of various clinical comorbidities, different stages of life, ancestral groups and their unique impact on cardiometabolic health. 

As Dr. Nwizu mentions in his chapter president’s letter, in this edition, we move from the 20,000-foot perspective, which may appear quite homogeneous, all the way to the interactive day to day life “in the trenches,” which is anything but monochromatic or simple. 

I am privileged to learn so much from collating every one of these journals. I personally thank the presidents, the authors, the associate editors, and our amazing staff for, each time, moving us from a set of nascent ideas to an end product of which we can be proud and from which we all learn.