Dr. Marc Fisher becomes editor-in-chief of Stroke

Newswise — The American Heart Association and Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health, have announced that Marc Fisher, M.D., will assume the duties of Editor-in-Chief for Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association, a monthly journal dedicated to advancing scientific and clinical knowledge of cerebrovascular disease.

Fisher is Professor and Vice-Chairman of Neurology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, Mass. His term as Editor-in-Chief commences with the July 1, 2010, issue of Stroke.

“We are in the midst of an exciting time of progress in the science and clinical management of stroke, at every level from genetics to public policy,” Fisher said. “Particularly at this moment, it's an honor and a challenge to assume editorial duties for this essential scientific journal.”

Stroke publishes the most important scientific and clinical research papers from every field concerned with cerebrovascular disease and the cerebral circulation. Each issue presents critical new studies on the most relevant new experimental work; essential clinical research on stroke risk assessment, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation; and reports on policy and practice, including stroke care in the era of health care reform.

Other features include research letters, timely reviews and meta-analyses, commentaries, opinions and reviews, "Cochrane Corner," and letters to the editor. Stroke also publishes a yearly update on "Advances in Stroke," along with guidelines and updates from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke is the #1 journal dedicated to the coverage of clinical research in cerebrovascular disease, with an overall Impact Factor of 6.49 (2008 Journal Citation Reports®, Thomson Reuters, 2009).

Dr. Fisher's selection as Editor-in-Chief comes as Stroke celebrates its 40th anniversary year. “Since the very first issue in 1970, helping clinicians to incorporate research evidence into the best possible care for patients with cerebrovascular disease has been an important focus of Stroke,” said Fisher. “My editorial team and I feel privileged to carry on this great tradition.”The journal's Web site, http//www.stroke.ahajournals.org, has recently been redesigned and streamlined, facilitating browsing and quick access to featured articles and expedited "Stroke ASAP" papers. Subscribers and readers have access to the journal’s expanded online archive, including the complete history of the journal—from 1970 to today. Fisher will build on the outstanding accomplishments of outgoing Editor-in-Chief Vladimir Hachinski, M.D., D.Sc., according Donna Arnett, Ph.D., B.S.N., Chairperson of the American Heart Association's Scientific Publishing Committee. “Dr. Hachinski's tenure was a period of unprecedented progress and growth for Stroke, including expansion to a truly worldwide scope," says Arnett. “In Dr. Fisher, we are confident that we have the ideal candidate to carry on this work as the journal enters its fifth decade.”

About the American Heart AssociationFounded in 1924, the American Heart Association is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke. These diseases, America's No. 1 and No. 3 killers, and all other cardiovascular diseases claim over 870,000 lives a year. In fiscal year 2006-07 the association invested more than $554 million in research, professional and public education, advocacy and community service programs to help all Americans live longer, healthier lives. To learn more, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit americanheart.org.

About Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (LWW) is a leading international publisher for healthcare professionals and students with nearly 300 periodicals and 1,500 books in more than 100 disciplines publishing under the LWW brand, as well as content-based sites and online corporate and customer services.

LWW is part of Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading provider of information and business intelligence for students, professionals and institutions in medicine, nursing, allied health and pharmacy. Major brands include traditional publishers of medical and drug reference tools and textbooks, such as Lippincott Williams & Wilkins and Facts & Comparisons®; and electronic information providers, such as Ovid®, , and .

Wolters Kluwer Health is a division of Wolters Kluwer, a leading global information services and publishing company. The company provides products and services for professionals in the health, tax, accounting, corporate, financial services, legal, and regulatory sectors. Wolters Kluwer had 2008 annual revenues of €3.4 billion ($4.9 billion), employs approximately 20,000 people worldwide, and maintains operations in over 35 countries across Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. Wolters Kluwer is headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Its shares are quoted on Euronext Amsterdam (WKL) and are included in the AEX and Euronext 100 indices. Visit http://www.wolterskluwer.com for information about our market positions, customers, brands, and organization.

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