Next month marks the fifth anniversary of my switch in roles to managing editor of AFP. I still think of this as a new role because the time has passed so quickly and I'm continually taking on different challenges. The best part about working for AFP is that the sky is the limit when it comes to creating and living by an editorial vision, because the spirit of leadership within the American Academy of Family Physicians is one of empowerment in the pursuit of excellence. During the past five years, I've been fortunate to see the journal move from the fifth, to the fourth, and now the third position among medical journals in the U.S. market.

What is my role in all of this, besides writing 24 “Inside AFPs” a year? A variety of other responsibilities fall under the “managing editor” hat. One thing I've learned from counterparts at other publications is that no two managing editors are likely to have similar roles, and no single managing editor is likely to do the same thing on two consecutive days. For AFP, I oversee the editorial production office but also have a close relationship with the medical editor and his staff. In coordinating both outside and inside contributors, I see the good works of many individuals. So, while I perform many tasks, one of my favorites is using my vantage to write this column and describe the achievements of outside contributors such as authors, artists, and medical editors.

I would also like at this time to acknowledge the staff on the inside of the editorial production office—the editors and others whose full-time professional lives are dedicated to bringing you the pages of AFP, but whose names and talents are too seldom mentioned. While AFP has many bright staff who will continue to light up the journal's future, I'd like to give special thanks and tribute to the following inside staff who, over the past 10 years or longer, have kept AFP moving foward:

• Linnea Korinek and Verna Rose, AFP's senior editors, with 17 and 18 years of service. Barrett Schroeder, senior manuscript editor, with over 10 years of service.

• Kathy Mayfield, AFP's production director, with 38 years of service. LeAnn Fletcher, graphic associate, with almost 19 years of service. Stacey Herrmann, graphic associate, 11 years of service. H. Nadine Kilgore, production assistant, with over 10 years of service.

• Mary Totten, previous AFP circulation director, who retired last spring after more than 20 years of service in circulation. Lou Dean Hoerman, current circulation director, with almost 12 years of service.

• Renee Anthuis, reader services manager, with almost 19 years of service.

• Dan Gowan, AFP sales director, with over 13 years of service.

• Bob Edsall, editorial director, who has almost 10 years of service with AAFP publications.

• Joetta Melton, AFP publisher, who has dedicated 16 years to the journal, and Marilyn Harvey, administrative assistant, who will celebrate 10 years next summer.