Newswise — The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has named Anthony Zietman, M.D., an endowed professor of radiation oncology at Harvard Medical School in Boston, as the new editor of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology•Biology•Physics, ASTRO’s primary research journal also known as the Red Journal.
After more than 14 years in dedicated service to the Red Journal and ASTRO, current editor-in-chief James Cox, M.D., announced last year that he would retire when his third five-year term ended at the close of 2011. In June 2010, ASTRO’s Board of Directors selected past-president Patricia Eifel, M.D., FASTRO, to lead a search for a new editor with the help of an 11-person task force made up of radiation oncologists from private and academic practice, a biologist, and a physicist. The task force also included a representative from our international counterpart, Radiotherapy and Oncology, and ASTRO’s new practice journal, Practical Radiation Oncology.
“I am pleased to announce we received several very strong applications and interviewed three candidates in person at the Annual Meeting,” Dr. Eifel said. “After several conference calls and lengthy discussions, the task force selected Anthony Zietman, M.D. He gave a presentation at the ASTRO Board of Directors meeting in January 2011 and has been confirmed. I am thrilled for Anthony and excited for him to build upon Jim’s excellent work and the tenure of Phil Rubin before him.”
Dr. Zietman’s qualifications include a long commitment to ASTRO through the Scientific Program Committee, the Board of Directors and the presidency. He has a lengthy history of scientific writing publishing original works, books, chapters and reviews in both clinical radiation oncology and radiobiology and is one of the most highly cited authors in radiation oncology. He brings to the job a substantial history of editorial writing on the future and evolution of our specialty. In addition, he has a history spanning more than 20 years of reviewing for multiple oncology journals.
“It is with great pleasure and after considerable thought that I accept the editorship of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology•Biology•Physics,” Dr. Zietman said. “Under Dr. Cox’s leadership, the journal has grown greatly in stature and it is an honor to maintain that momentum and advance his work.”
Dr. Zietman also sits on the editorial board for Practical Radiation Oncology, which will ensure PRO and the Red Journal continue to work well together. He has had multifaceted training in internal medicine, medical oncology and radiation oncology in both Europe and the U.S. and has had a career that has incorporated a higher degree in radiobiology.
“My goal for the journal is to continue the extraordinary work of Dr. Cox but to do it with a different flavor. I would not envisage any immediate revolutionary changes but see change as an inevitable evolution,” Dr. Zietman said. “I plan to continue the close liaison with the ASTRO Board of Directors but maintain a healthy independence from it. To me, if the science and safe delivery of radiation therapy is the body of our specialty, then ASTRO and the Red Journal are its right and left arms, independent but clearly linked.”
Dr. Zietman says he intends to share the responsibility of the Red Journal, which is published by Elsevier, with a global panel of senior editors including one who will work with him on electronic initiatives. His first issue will be January 2012.
ASTRO is the largest radiation oncology society in the world, with more than 10,000 members who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapies. As the leading organization in radiation oncology, biology and physics, the Society is dedicated to improving patient care through education, clinical practice, advancement of science and advocacy. For more information on radiation therapy, visit www.rtanswers.org. To learn more about ASTRO, visit www.astro.org.
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