Letter From the LipidSpin Editors: I’m So Glad We Had This Time Together

Dr. Underberg:
As a child growing up in the 60s and 70s, I remember many nights spent watching “The Carol Burnett Show.” Her song at the end of each show has always reminded me to take pleasure in things that have come and gone. I can think of no better way to title my last editors corner for LipidSpin.

Quite some time ago Bob Wild and I were asked to take over the editorial control of the LipidSpin from its original stewards. Its origins as a newsletter for the fledgling organization had served us well, but our charge at that time was simple: grow it into more than just a newsletter, creating a venue where members could write and contribute to the field of clinical lipidology as an entry point to further authorship and scholarship down the road.

At the same time, we were tasked with improving regional involvement in this process. From this emerged our current format of rotating issues planned and created by regional chapters with a mixture of varied content areas, so as to appeal to all groups and disciplines represented by the organization. As the size and complexity of the LipidSpin has grown, we found it necessary to add an additional issue each year to which anyone could contribute. We titled it, “Potpourri.” Our patient tear sheet section has been faithfully and capably edited by Vanessa L. Hurta, NP, and we have had the help and contribution of too numerous NLA members to name with our editing and writing processes.

The opportunity to put one’s thoughts to paper once every two months at first seems daunting, but it is something I have come to relish and will certainly miss. Most importantly, the friendship and respect I have for my co-editor Bob Wild is unending. Without him, this process could never have moved forward.

Finally, I cannot say enough about the staff and support at the NLA who make this process happen every issue. We have been lucky and blessed to work with the very best, most recently Melissa Heyboer, who is a very talented writer in her own regard, and Judith Thomas who overseas communications for the NLA. It is with much excitement that we pass the baton to two good friends and colleagues, Joe Saseen and Dan Soffer, who I have nothing but respect and admiration for their expertise and creative spirit. I have complete trust in their ability and energy to take LipidSpin to the next level.

To finish the first verse of the song I began this with: “Seems we just got started and before you know it comes the time we have to say, ‘So long.’”

“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end” - Seneca

Dr. Wild: When Jamie and I decided to make the Communications Committee and the LipidSpin a collaborative effort, little did we know how much fun it would be and how much of an impact it would have!

We felt that it was a way to give back to our colleagues and our patients in a meaningful way. Along the way we have made wonderful friends and colleagues, we have scrambled, we have pulled out our hair at times, but above all else we developed an “in the trenches” comradery unparalleled in our careers. We decided to do a tag-team approach, and my relationship and respect for so many has benefited from this approach. Jamie, what a delight it has been counting on you to fill holes, and what a pleasure it has been providing this service in return. We learned very early that we complemented one another and that together we could provide added value exponentially beyond our respective time and energy to make the LipidSpin a focal point of the National Lipid Association communications. We were guided by Dr. Peter Jones, who single-handedly encouraged us, having historically forged along communications for the NLA.

Along the way we ran into some challenges and we were blessed to have the opportunity to work with some very talented staff ... so many more than one made our job delightful! Melissa Heyboer and Judith Thomas currently carry the mantle for the NLA staff in communications and we have the utmost respect for their time, talents, and gifts.

We delighted in discussing with each chapter president what the process is about. We delighted with how well we could look back and see how many issues came to be on target for our mission — the enhancement of clinical lipidology. Our desire was to utilize this vehicle as a means to increase membership, to involve others by providing opportunity for expression, and as a way to help others along the ladder as an introduction to academic involvement.

All in all it has been so much joy and there are so may highlights. Jamie has outlined just some of them. At one point we even got results of a member survey suggesting that the LipidSpin was a forum most often used for member learning! We laughed because the NLA has so many outstanding education venues, yet it made us proud that we could help our membership in their quest for practical learning.

However, the LipidSpin has evolved into much more than that. It has benefited from talents of so many. Thank you NLA for the opportunity you have provided us. Thank you Jamie for sharing and the opportunity to grow together.

As we move on, our wish is for Drs. Joe Saseen and Dan Soffer to take the LipidSpin and make it even better. Thanks to all of the staff through the years for your professionalism and for the times you kept us on track. We already miss you.