After sending in my notice for retirement, I went back to my personal journal and read my entry from October 26, 2001 – “Got job as Publications Manager of JSHAP – exciting and scary.” After working in pig barns for 15 years, it was quite a turnaround to be contacting people from all over the world. When manuscripts are submitted to the journal, they are given a tracking number. At the time I started, submitted manuscripts were being assigned numbers in the low 300s; 20 plus years later they are in the 1300s. Nearly 500 of those manuscripts have been published during my tenure.
At the time I started with JSHAP, I was a technician for Dr Cate Dewey at the University of Guelph, which is how the connection began. When Cate retired as Executive Editor, Dr Terri O’Sullivan was hired, and fortunately for me, it was a smooth transition to working with Terri. I have learned a great deal from both women and have been honored to contribute to their commitment to a solid scientific journal for the swine industry.
The greatest joy and the greatest challenge in my job has been the review process. I am constantly amazed at the willingness of our membership to help again and again by serving as reviewers. The time and effort put into reviewing papers is humbling. I hope readers realize the depth of work that goes into getting a paper published, not including the work that ultimately resulted in the writing of the paper. Watching a paper develop over the review process, the editorial process, and graphic design is amazing and should make all of us proud of the publication that is produced for our readership.
Although most of my communication is electronic (even before COVID), it has definitely been the people who have made the job so special to me. The JSHAP and AASV staff became not only work colleagues but friends as well. The Editorial Board members, more reviewers than I can count, the many officers, the translators, and ancillary writers (National Pork Board and years of What’s your Interpretation, Practice Tips, and Diagnostics Notes) became a part of my life. I wish I could mention the many people who are and will continue to be important to me, but the word count will not allow. I only hope I get the opportunity to personally connect with you again. I am sure you have often groaned when my emails popped up, as they undoubtedly were asking for help and reminding you of due dates looming on papers, messages, reviews, etc. Admit it, it is true!
As publications manager I have had the privilege of being the person with the most contact with authors and reviewers and, although it is strictly through email, it has been wonderful to be in touch with swine specialists all over the world. That is why attending the AASV Annual Meeting every year has been so important to me. It is my one opportunity to put a face to a name and, as is attested to every year when we thank our reviewers, it is quite a few people.
The first AASV Annual Meeting I attended was in Kansas City in 2002, and I have attended in-person every year through 2020 and virtually in 2021. It has been a delight every year to attend the AASV Annual Meeting and get to meet the people (and their families) who I communicate with throughout the year. To be able to spend time with my colleagues and the Editorial Board members and meet authors, reviewers, new officers, as well as renew connections from past years was always the highlight of my year.
The AASV’s commitment to students has been one of its greatest strengths. My 20 years with JSHAP and AASV has afforded me the opportunity to see students give professional talks, present posters, participate in the podcasts, and the many activities offered to them. It has been touching to see the veterinary students who have made their careers and marks in the swine industry over the time I have been associated with the journal. The AASV should be proud of the mentorship that they have given to the future generations.
I cannot express what it has meant to be connected to the journal and the AASV. It has broadened my life and given me the advantage for continual learning (another touchstone goal of AASV). I cannot say how much I will miss my work and my friends. I will be forever grateful that I was offered and accepted that exciting and scary opportunity to become the JSHAP Publications Manager.
Karen Richardson
Publications Manager