https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1030-5903
Twenty years ago, JSCM and I crossed paths. The Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association (EPVA) was seeking a managing editor for the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, the official journal of the American Paraplegia Society. EPVA (now United Spinal Association), under the leadership of the advocate James J. Peters,Citation1,Citation2 was sponsor of the Society and publisher of the Journal. The editor-in-chief was Joel A. DeLisa, MD, MS, the prominent physiatrist, researcher, author, and educator, who was instrumental in establishing the subspecialty of spinal cord medicine.
After looking over the latest issue, it was clear to me that the Journal had “good bones”, and would benefit from the oversight of an experienced journal editor. Dr. DeLisa and Jim Peters agreed, and so, in June of 2000, JSCM and I began our journey. JSCM was new territory for me, since spinal cord injury had not been a part of my experience in research, clinical care, and medical publishing.
The Journal originated in 1977 as the Journal of the American Paraplegia Society, an 8-page newsletter for VA physicians striving to learn from one another in order to provide better care for their patients with spinal cord injury.Citation3 These pioneers, who worked with few resources, treating patients often considered “hopeless cases”, needed a professional forum. During its inaugural year, neurosurgeon Daniel Ruge, MD, PhD, the Journal’s first editor, called on his colleagues to contribute to what he called the “smallest big journal”.Citation3 With the lack of formal training in spinal cord injury, the Journal provided the space for specialists in medical and surgical disciplines to share their experiences and ideas.
It was not long before I saw the potential for JSCM to exceed the expectations of its founders. Activity was evident in every aspect of care and research, and excitement was building in a field long ignored in the medical community. A sea-change was underway, one that would change the worldview of spinal cord injury forever – from a lifelong disability to a treatable condition.
The newly recognized plasticity of the central nervous system fundamentally altered the field of spinal cord injury research. In the winter issue of 2000, Dr. DeLisa declared,
We stand on the threshold of a new era in spinal cord injury medicine. Lack of neuronal regeneration, the major obstacle to recovery, is finally yielding to novel approaches by neuroscience researchers. … the future now holds the promise of successful interventions for individuals with injuries and diseases of the spinal cord.Citation4
As a niche journal, JSCM was uniquely positioned to expand from its North American base to serve the global community of SCI researchers and clinicians. Over the past two decades, JSCM has grown in influence, overcoming numerous challenges along the way, thanks to the unwavering support of the Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals and the stewardship of its editors-in-chief, Donald R. Bodner, MD, who succeeded Dr. DeLisa,Citation5 and Florian P. Thomas, MD, PhD, who serves currently.Citation6
JSCM continues to fulfill the mission of its founders on a scale they could never have imagined, successfully expanding from a small US-based society-published print journal to an important international journal, while retaining its focus on injuries and dysfunction of the spinal cord.
In 1977, the founding editors were thrilled to present the second issue of the “smallest big journal”. None could have envisioned this Journal’s journey of 44 consecutive years of publication as a forum for ever-expanding advances in spinal cord injury care and research.
Similarly, in 2000, I could not have envisioned the path this “smallest big journal” would take over the next 20 years. Though my tenure is a relatively small part of JSCM’s journey, I am honored to continue the work of its founders, a “small group of thoughtful committed citizens”Citation7 who may not have changed the world, but made it a better place for individuals with spinal cord injury.
References
- Kelly G. Remembering Jim Peters. J Spinal Cord Med 2004;27(4):285. doi: 10.1080/10790268.2004.11753765
- Bodner D, Murphy C. Pioneer in advocacy: The legacy of James J. Peters. J Spinal Cord Med 2009;32(5):501–502. doi: 10.1080/10790268.2009.11754552
- Murphy C. JSCM: This journal’s journey. J Spinal Cord Med 2010;33(1):2–5. doi: 10.1080/10790268.2010.11689668
- DeLisa JA. From bench to bedside: Advances in stem cell biology and gene therapy. J Spinal Cord Med 2000;32(4):213. doi: 10.1080/10790268.2000.11753388
- DeLisa JA. Changing of the guard. J Spinal Cord Med 2005;28(5):381–2. doi: 10.1080/10790268.2005.11753836
- Bodner D, Murphy C, Cavanaugh S. Editors’ note. J Spinal Cord Med 2015;38(4):419), doi:10.1179/1079026815Z.000000000419 doi: 10.1179/1079026815Z.000000000419
- Lutkehaus NC. Margaret Mead: The Making of an American Icon. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2008. p. 261.