Editor's Corner: Changing Hats

‘See one. Do one. Teach one.’ – Anonymous (and every resident ever)

‘Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.’ – Benjamin Franklin

This edition of LipidSpin is focused on how the Lipid Specialist can leverage technology in the COVID-19 era. Like all important clinical ideas, the concepts begin in the clinic. We learn about a patient who has high-risk features, who has challenges that prevent optimal engagement, and for whom telemedicine may be a bridge to improved care. She has engagement, access, and technological challenges that are common in the clinic.The rest of the issue is devoted to defining how those challenges can be identified and met head-on in this tumultuous time. Our authors take us through the process from legislation, to insurance adjustment, to technological hurdles. Telemedicine in particular, was a change that was a long time in the making but seemed to happen overnight. This is a change that is here to stay and will serve as a critical tool in cardiometabolic and lipid management for years to come.

This is also the last LipidSpin I will help curate after five years and I want to use this space to acknowledge all those who make this project work and made my job a pleasure and privilege.

First off, I want to say thank you to LipidSpin readers and to the NLA leadership for the opportunity. It has been a joy to contribute, to foster opportunity for others, and to have an amplified voice.

Thank you to Jamie Underberg, Carl Orringer, and Brian Hart for having the confidence to invite me to perform this duty and for allowing me to learn by doing. Thank you to Joe Saseen and Kaye-Eileen Willard for sharing the responsibilities, the headaches, the complicated submissions, the revisions, the work and the joy of being co-editors; I have learned so much from both of you.

Thank you to Melissa, Eric, Rob, Brian, and Heather for shepherding me in this position. You truly make it all happen.

Thank you to Tom Haffey for trial by fire, and taking me to task in a loving and caring way.

Thank you to multiple senior authors for true mentorship of junior authors. You understood the mission of LipidSpin and embraced the imperfection and opportunity. Thank you all for jumping in without complaint even when the mission went astray.

Thank you to all of the junior authors for your contributions. I learned as much from you as I am sure you learned from the process. Your effort and patience with the process and your mentors is acknowledged. We hope this has been a space where you can be allowed to make mistakes and grow.

Thank you to all of the chapter presidents who had the chance to produce an edition for the first time, who patiently understood that the process serves a purpose, that the finished product takes time and is a team effort, and that LipidSpin enables a member voice. The LipidSpin is the face and words of the NLA members and the chapter presidents. Thank you to those chapter presidents who helped navigate tricky situations, deadlines, incomplete submissions, multiple edits, evolving processes, and who shared their vision, insights, and time.

Thank you to everyone who has submitted to LipidSpin. I appreciate your time, effort, willingness to learn and teach, and your collective wisdom. 

My vision for LipidSpin has always been for it to be...
• The voice of NLA members, an opportunity to speak and be heard,
• An opportunity for NLA members to take on more responsibility,
• An opportunity for NLA members to mentor and be mentored,
• An opportunity to learn, and to share our knowledge,
• A chance to advance diversity, equality, and inclusion,
• And a chance to represent the NLA and its future.

I turn over the co-editor reins to Lynne Braun who will continue to work with Kaye-Eileen Willard. Kaye-Eileen is a friend and trusted colleague who joined during transitions and process changes. She has been a terrific mentor and teacher, and a steady support. Lynne is a friend, colleague, and mentor to so many of us. I know she will continue to make LipidSpin better and make us all better for it.

Thank you everyone. I look forward to continued participation with the NLA wearing different hats and I am so privileged to have had the opportunity to be co-editor of LipidSpin. 

Your friend and colleague, Dan

Disclosure statement: Dr. Soffer has received honoraria from Akcea Therapeutics, Amgen, Inc, Medicure, Regeneron, and Sanofi.