Starting with Mark H. Rogers in 1916 and continuing to Marc Swiontkowski today, 11 orthopaedists–all recognized experts in the field–have served as the Editor-in-Chief (EIC) of JBJS. As you learn more about these individuals, you’ll see that every EIC brought different personalities to the job – from warm and humble to gregarious, energetic, and determined. While their approaches may have differed, it is clear that every EIC shared the same commitment to serving the orthopaedic community by delivering gold-standard scientific content.
By reading the editorials that we have highlighted, you will be able to appreciate how each EIC addressed the leading orthopaedic issues of their day and contributed to the field of orthopaedics in meaningful ways.
If you’re curious about the other dedicated JBJS staff members working behind the scenes to bring you trusted content, read how our EICs and Deputy Editors (DEs) apply the rigorous fact-checking, line editing, and manuscript reviews required of a leading scientific journal. As JBJS grew to serve you better over the years, so did our editorial staff, with the addition of product editors, copy editors, editorial assistants, and content creators. We have also continued to expand our international stable of reviewers and our Editorial Board.
At JBJS, our people are inspired by those we serve: orthopaedists like you. We hope that the dedication of our EICs and other JBJS editorial experts inspires you as well.
Learn about the people who have shaped JBJS as you travel the timeline.
It is the mission of JBJS, Inc. “to improve musculoskeletal health across the globe by delivering gold-standard information resources for clinicians, researchers, and orthopaedic care teams,” and this focus on delivering high-quality information is reflected in the meticulous copy-editing of every JBJS article.
Dr. Rogers served as the first Editor of The American Journal of Orthopedic Surgery, replacing a 3-man Editorial Committee. He served as an officer in the Medical Corps during his tenure, and resigned from his position in 1918.
Click below to read the obituary for Dr. Rogers.
Mark Homer Rogers 1877-1941
Dr. Orr served as Editor-in-Chief from 1919 to 1921. During his tenure, the editorial offices were moved to Lincoln, NE, while the business offices remained in Boston.
Click below to read the obituary for Dr. Orr, along with an editorial Dr. Orr wrote at the end of his tenure as Editor-in-Chief (1919-1921).
Hiram Winnett Orr 1877-1956
Editorial
Deemed the “first Editor in the modern sense” by the AOA, Dr. Brackett set the tone for JBJS and turned it into the printed mainstay of the orthopaedic surgical community. During his tenure, subscriptions increased from 797 to over 3,300.
Click below to read the obituary for Dr. Brackett, along with 2 editorials Dr. Brackett wrote during his tenure as Editor-in-Chief (1921-1942).
Elliott Gray Brackett
Editorial Department. Foreword for the Year 1922
Tuberculosis in China
Dr. Rogers coordinated a joint publication with The British Orthopaedic Association. Under his guidance, JBJS also became a nonprofit corporation with its Trustees appointed by The American Orthopaedic Association, its former owner, and The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Click below to read the obituary for Dr. Rogers, along with 2 editorials Dr. Rogers wrote during his tenure as Editor-in-Chief (1944-1958).
William Alexander Rogers, M. D. March 30, 1892 to April 4,1975
Editorial Announcement
Editorial
During his tenure from 1952-2000, Steve Tilton was a talented, dedicated and beloved contributor to JBJS.
Steve Tilton went to college at Colby, in Maine, and was a second-generation conscientious objector who served in the American Field Service in World War II, as his father had in World War I. Mr. Tilton drove an ambulance in North Africa, Italy, and Germany. After the war, it seems he had had his fill of excitement in motorized vehicles, and he never drove again. He taught English at Beirut University for a time, then came to Boston to attend BU for a graduate degree in English literature, but did not enjoy being back in school and did not stay long. He started at JBJS in 1954. He arrived on time at the office, lunched always at 11:30, read the Boston Globe at his desk after lunch, and never worked past closing time.
He was a homebody, and when asked what he planned to do on his spring vacation, he was known to mention that he might venture out to Harvard Square in Cambridge, around two miles from his home; however, he really enjoyed the bi-annual trips to England to meet with the British once those trips began in the 70’s or 80’s.
He retired from his role as Managing Editor in 1998 and worked part-time for JBJS as Manager of the Journal of Orthopaedic Research. He officially retired in 2000.
Dr. Brown improved the rapidity of publication of articles by increasing the number of journal issues to 8 per year. Additionally, his meticulous insistence on accuracy and clarity set the highest standards for publishing in JBJS.
Click below to read the obituary for Dr. Brown, along with an editorial Dr. Brown wrote during his tenure as Editor-in-Chief (1958-1978).
Thornton Brown, M.D., 1913-2000
Editorial
Dr. Curtiss established the Current Concepts Reviews and Letters to the Editor sections during his tenure and increased publication to 9 issues per year. He was the first medical editor to suggest that authors disclose potential conflicts of interest.
Click below to read the obituary for Dr. Curtiss, along with an editorial Dr. Curtiss wrote during his tenure as Editor-in-Chief (1979-1985).
Paul H. Curtiss Jr., MD 1920-2007
Editorial Announcement
Dr. Cowell brought JBJS into the modern age of electronic publishing. He replaced typewriters with computers, started the JBJS website and put its content on CD-ROMs, introduced desktop publishing, and instituted a computerized database for article tracking.
Below are the links to the obituary for Dr. Cowell, along with links to editorials Dr. Cowell wrote during his tenure as Editor-in-Chief (1986-1999).
Henry R. Cowell, MD, PhD 1933-2017
Multiple Authorship of Manuscripts
Patient Care and Scientific Freedom
Electronic Publishing—The Next Step
The Use of Numbers and Percentages in Scientific Writing
Discount Pricing for Residents and Registrars
Electronic Publishing—Another Step
Management of Postoperative Pain in Animals Used in Research
Dr. Chapman approved the OREF-JBJS Journal Club, teamed with HighWire Press for the electronic version of JBJS, and created a CD-ROM version of JBJS. The historic member benefit contract between the AAOS and JBJS was agreed to in 2001.
Dr. Chapman oversaw additional high-level business developments. The Board clarified that JBJS would retain full copyright on all published content, and that it would not grant that copyright to others. Prior to this, exceptions for certain institutions were allowed.
Also, the Trustees agreed that the cover of The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery would reflect its origins from the American Orthopaedic Association.
Dr. Heckman brought enormous energy and fierce determination to his role as Editor-in-Chief. He encouraged the publication of unbiased research and routine reviews by statisticians. He also intensified efforts to network with other journals with an eye toward best and ethical publishing practices.
Dr. Heckman spearheaded several important initiatives, including a focus on evidence-based medicine, shortening the time from submission to publication, advancing the integration of print and electronic publication, and expanding the types of articles (Orthopaedic Forum, Ethics in Practice, Evidence-Based Orthopaedics).
Click on read more for links to editorials written by Dr. Heckman during his tenure as Editor-in-Chief (2000-2009).
Dr. Greene appointed and promoted James Heckman as Editor-in-Chief and Mady Tissenbaum as the General Manager of JBJS, Inc. On December 31, 2002, the Board of Trustees froze the Defined Benefit Plan.
Also under Dr. Greene’s guidance, the agreement to make JBJS a member benefit of the AAOS was officially implemented. After a long-standing relationship, the separation of the American and British versions of The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery began.
During his tenure, Dr. Greene reaffirmed the ongoing mission of JBJS for excellence in scientific publishing and encouraged the discussion of other alternative educational opportunities.
Dr. Morrey approved Surgical Techniques as a supplement to The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery.
Dr. Urbaniak determined that JBJS should create a business plan for a commercially viable, online, electronic strategy. The member benefit agreement between the AAOS and JBJS was also revised and extended through 2011.
Dr. DeLee approved free subscriptions for all PGY2 through PGY5 residents and expanded the Journal Club program with the OREF for 2007 and 2008.
Dr. DeLee also initiated succession planning for the Editor role for 2009. The Board of Trustees had previously decided to pursue a position that combined the Editor role with a new CEO role.
Dr. Herndon created the International Development Committee to expand the global JBJS brand, extended the Joint Publishing Agreement with The British Editorial Society, and extended the AAOS/JBJS Member Benefit Agreement.
Under Dr. Herndon’s guidance, the strategic decision was made to change the traditional business model of JBJS—led by an Editor-in-Chief who also served as CEO—to one where the business functions (CEO & CFO) were separated from the editorial functions (Editor-in-Chief). Kent Anderson was hired as the first CEO/Publisher of JBJS.
To facilitate this change, a new Board committee— the Editorial Advisory Committee—was appointed to maintain open communications between the Editor-in-Chief and the Board of Trustees. Dr. Herndon improved Board communications with monthly conference calls and advanced Board education with strategic discussions led by experts at each annual meeting.
Dr. Tolo continued to shepherd JBJS into the electronic age, most notably during the switch to 2 monthly issues of the flagship journal and the launch of several new electronic-only publications (JBJS Essential Surgical Techniques, JBJS Case Connector, and JBJS Reviews).
Click on Read More for links to editorials written by Dr. Tolo during his tenure as Editor-in-Chief (2010-2014).
Dr. Hanley approved an expansion of journal titles, with the introduction of JBJS Case Connector, JBJS Essential Surgical Techniques, and JBJS Reviews. With Dr. Mark Miller, a joint venture was approved to develop the JBJS Virtual Recertification Course.
Additionally, Dr. Hanley oversaw the new Enterprise growth strategy led by Kent Anderson, CEO. The Enterprise approach would allow JBJS, Inc. to grow and diversify to meet short-term challenges and long-term stability
Under Dr. Hanley’s leadership of the Enterprise approach, the JBJS name was changed to Striatus Orthopaedic Communications, Inc. The relationships with the AAOS and AOA were redefined, establishing JBJS as a totally independent, non-profit organization. The long-standing business relationship between JBJS and its British counterparts was terminated, resulting in the British journal being renamed The Bone and Joint Journal. Also, JBJS moved its publishing platform from Highwire to Silverchair.
Dr. Cheng specializes in orthopaedic oncology (bone and soft tissue tumors) and adult reconstructive surgery (joint replacement). His research focuses on soft-tissue tumors and sarcomas, bone tumors, osteonecrosis, and complex joint replacement.
Dr. Einhorn is an internationally renowned expert in adult hip and knee reconstruction surgery. He has researched the study of novel biologic techniques to treat joint ailments, written more than 240 articles, and contributed to multiple textbooks.
Dr. Weinstein instituted a submission fee for JBJS scientific articles and formed the Editor-in-Chief Search Committee which was formed to replace retiring Editor-in-Chief Vernon Tolo, MD.
Dr. Weinstein also approved the Peer Review Evaluation Score (preSCORE) initiative to give readers insight into the peer review process around individual articles.
Marc Swiontkowski, MD, was selected by the Editor-in-Chief Search Committee as the next Editor-in-Chief in December 2013.
Under Dr. Gelberman’s leadership, JBJS entered its first significant publishing agreement with Wolters Kluwer Health, effective beginning 2016. Dr. Gelberman also authorized the asset acquisition of the Journal of Orthopaedics for Physician Assistants, now JBJS JOPA.
Dr. Gelberman also helped reorganize editorial roles at JBJS. He replaced Kent Anderson as CEO/Publisher and then split the responsibilities of the role. Mady Tissenbaum was promoted to Publisher, and Paul Sandford as CEO of JBJS, Inc., in August 2014.
Additionally, JBJS began the use of SocialCite for citation processing. Editorial assets further evolved as the SocialCite project was terminated in December 2014. JBJS preSCORE assets were also sold, and the organization changed its brand back to JBJS, Inc. from Striatus Orthopaedic Communications, Inc. Moving forward, JBJS would focus on the orthopaedic market prospectively.
Dr. Swiontkowski has continued the tradition of excellence through the launch of new publications (JBJS Open Access, JBJS JOPA) and educational offerings (JBJS Clinical Classroom, JBJS MRC), all driven by a consistent focus on patient outcomes and practice-changing scientific content.
Click on Read More for links to editorials written by Dr. Swiontkowski during his tenure as Editor-in-Chief (2014-present).
Dr. Bauer is recognized as an early innovator in the application of digital imaging to surgical pathology research. After over 30 years at the Cleveland Clinic, he is now the Pathologist-in-Chief at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.
After serving as Deputy Editor of JBJS for 18 years, and Editor of JBJS Case Connector for three years, Marc Swiontowski was appointed as Editor-in-Chief. As a trauma surgeon, Dr. Swiontowski was widely known for his role in elucidating the importance of evidence in orthopaedic research.
Dr. Beaty expanded the JBJS product offering by launching JBJS Open Access in partnership with Wolters Kluwer and by building JBJS Clinical Classroom in partnership with NEJM Group and Area 9 Learning.
Dr. Beaty convened the Millennial Advisory Group to consult on the new JBJS website, jbjs.org. JBJS journals were moved from the Highwire platform to jbjs.org and the electronic journals platform of Wolters Kluwer. Under Dr. Beaty’s leadership, the Board of Trustees managed the transition following the termination of the AAOS/JBJS Member Benefit Agreement by the AAOS, which had been in place since 2002.
Further, JBJS sold its building in Needham, MA, at the height of the commercial real estate market, and then leased it back.
Dr. Lindsey has been in clinical practice for almost 35 years. He is an expert on orthopaedic spine and trauma conditions and the Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation at the University of Texas Medical Branch.
Dr. Lee specializes in the management of orthopaedic problems in children. His research interests are in stem cell biology and musculoskeletal tissue engineering, especially for cartilage and physeal repair and regeneration.
Dr. Richards maintains an active practice focusing on arthroplasty of the shoulder and elbow, upper extremity reconstruction following trauma, soft tissue procedures to control joint instabilities in the upper extremity, and the surgical treatment of irreparable brachial plexus injury.
Dagan Cloutier has a general orthopaedic practice and sees patients of all ages and with all types of musculoskeletal complaints. He also oversees a bone health program that focuses on treating osteoporosis in patients who have sustained a fragility fracture.
Dr. Weiland helped JBJS expand its education portfolio by acquiring The Miller Review Courses from Dr. Mark Miller and by launching the new AOA Critical Issues in Education Channel in JBJS Open Access.
The AOA Critical Issues in Education Channel was launched as part of an expansion of the agreement between JBJS and the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA). Additionally, The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery and all other journals became a member benefit of the AOA, which allows for all domestic residents to receive JBJS for free via the CORD group.
During Dr. Weiland’s tenure, the Board of Trustees also terminated JBJS’s frozen pension plan and acquired ownership stake in Orthoevidence™, a global online source for high quality and timely orthopaedic‐only evidence‐based summaries that are pre‐appraised by orthopaedic medical experts.
JBJS Open Access is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access journal from the publishers of JBJS. The mission of this continuously published online-only journal is to provide a steady flow of comprehensive, objective, and evidence-based basic-science and clinical studies that have the potential to impact orthopaedic care worldwide.
Dr. Swiontkowski discusses key factors to consider when deciding where to submit a manuscript. For complete instructions for authors and other materials, please visit the JBJS Author Resource Center at JBJS.org.
Dr. Swiontkowski provides advice to residents who are considering the field of orthopaedics.
One major trend in the field of orthopaedics is focused on improving research methodology due to more sophisticated analytic approaches. Get the guidance that you need to excel in an evolving field by visiting JBJS.org.
An orthopaedist can become a family resource by taking care of families over generations; from children to grandparents.
Connecting with a patient in providing a surgical or non-surgical solution that results in a good outcome and even more importantly struggling with a patient and their family through a mediocre outcome.
Dr. Swiontkowski recalls having his first manuscript published in the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics as 3rd year orthopaedic resident. Ready to get published? Visit the JBJS Author Resource Center at JBJS.org.
Authors play an important role at JBJS. Listen to Dr. Swiontkowski discuss his efforts in support of these valued stakeholders. For complete instructions for authors and other materials, please visit the JBJS Author Resource Center at JBJS.org.
JBJS Reviews is an innovative review journal from the publishers of The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery. This continuously published online journal provides comprehensive, objective, and authoritative review articles written by recognized experts in the field.
The breadth of orthopaedics encompasses pediatrics, hand, spine, arthroplasty, etc. JBJS delivers complete coverage to a broad field. Please visit JBJS.org.
JBJS Case Connector helps improve patient care by providing the medical community with a journal that harnesses technology to provide information tools for discovery and reporting of unusual musculoskeletal problems, findings, treatment, and outcomes.
Our Publisher, Wolters Kluwer, has resources available to provide translation and editorial processes prior to submission. Information on translation services is available at the JBJS Author Resource Center on JBJS.org.
JBJS Essential Surgical Techniques is the premier journal describing how to perform orthopaedic surgical procedures, verified by evidence based outcomes, vetted by peer review, while utilizing online delivery, imagery and video to optimize the educational experience, thereby enhancing patient care.
Visual resources that have come about in the last 10-15 years in terms of rich resources for video projection of surgical techniques and assessment of patients has had a huge impact in orthopaedics.
JBJS JOPA is a peer-reviewed journal that publishes timely and practical articles covering all orthopaedic subspecialties for physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs). JOPA provides a unique forum for health-care practitioners to share knowledge and experiences with colleagues in the profession.
During Dr. Kasser’s term as the Chair of JBJS, he successfully navigated the organization through the Covid-19 Pandemic. This entailed addressing the needs of JBJS stakeholders with regards to new remote methods of conducting business, most significantly transitioning the Miller Review Course to a hybrid learning experience.
Dr. Kasser was instrumental in leading new strategic planning efforts in the organization to address the continued evolution of digital products and technologies that customers will be utilizing to find and engage with orthopaedic research in the future.
Dr. Chiodo specializes in disorders of the foot and ankle, seeing patients with a wide range of foot and ankle problems. His research interests include bunion surgery and clinical and biomechanical analyses of fixation techniques. Dr. Chiodo serves as the Deputy Editor for JBJS Clinical Classroom.
Joshua J. Jacobs, MD is the current Chairman of the Board of Trustees for JBJS. An orthopaedic surgeon specializing in total joint replacement, Dr. Jacobs is currently Professor and Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Vice Dean for Research at Rush Medical College in Chicago.
Dr. Jacobs’ extensive leadership resume includes prior service as President of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, President of the Orthopaedic Research Society, and President of the Hip Society.
He is a world-renowned researcher investigating materials and techniques for joint replacement who has authored more than 280 peer-reviewed articles, 5 books, and more than 45 book chapters.
Sign up to receive your free JBJS 2020 Special Issue—a compilation of the most-read articles. You get twelve articles across six JBJS publications in this special issue.
