My appointment as editor of the Newsletter a year ago coincided with the beginning of the 1980's. The occasion prompted the following editorial remarks, printed in last Spring's issue:
“With the present issue the Newsletter greets a new decade. Established on a tradition of useful and loyal service to our organization, it hopes to continue offering the opportunity for all members to share news of common interest, and to communicate views about current concerns—concerns about confidentiality, membership and accreditation, professional identity, human rights—all of which find expression in the present issue.”
Indeed, all four issues of last year contained articles expressing the opinion of members of our Association, including those of its elected leaders, on topics relevant to our professional and organizational interests. Some of these topics happened to be controversial, and that in my opinion made them more interesting and more newsworthy, more fit to print. For I feel that it is to the advantage of the Association to make the Newsletter accessible to public debate, to have it serve the purpose of open, honest and uncensored communication among members on issues of importance to the membership.
Besides myself as its new editor, most of the members of the Editorial Board are newly appointed, representing a variety of geographic areas and psychoanalytic societies. That is in line with what the chairman of the Board on Professional Standards recommended a year ago. They are all working together, contributing ideas, articles and interviews enthusiastically, diligently, and self-lessly, in each issue. There has been a steady flow of letters from the membership and no difficulty in securing “Point of View” articles, all of which may be taken as evidence of increased interest in and respect for the Newsletter.
Tedious and anxiety provoking as the editor's job may occasionally be, it has given me great honor and pleasure. I therefore regret the fact that the end of my first year of appointment will also mark the end of my role as Editor. For I will 'soon have to move abroad, too far away for me to be able to continue with the Newsletter, as I originally expected and still wish I could do. Arnie Cooper, our President, has selected Allan Rosenblatt as my successor—a wise choice. I wish him the best of luck.
Peter Hartocollis, M.D., Ph.D.
Topeka