We have always been particularly proud of the illustrations that appear on AFP covers, within its articles, and in patient handouts. We rarely, however, have opportunity to recognize the group of professional medical illustrators who are responsible for this art. This group of artists, listed below, is led by Dave Klemm, a talented medical illustrator at the Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, DC. Dave works closely with the artists, the medical editing fellow, authors, Editor Jay Siwek, MD, and the other medical editors to coordinate the development of various illustrations and to ensure their clinical and anatomic accuracy.

We were grateful that Dave was able to join us in Kansas City for a few days last fall. He met with the AFP editorial staff members, graphic designers, and the production staff, who deal with the printers on things like color control. It was good to get Dave's input on our processes and learn more about the extensive work that goes into developing a medical illustration. Most of AFP's medical illustrators have extensive professional training and are board certified by the Association of Medical Illustrators.

On behalf of all the AFP editors and readers, I want to thank all the talented artists who have added so much visual appeal to AFP during the past year.

• Joan Beck, Beck Visual Communications, Cottage Grove, Minnesota

• Scott Bodell, Bodell Communications, Dallas, Texas

• Kathryn Born, Arlington, Texas

• Todd Buck, Lombard, Illinois

• Renee Cannon, Medcom Studios, Scottsdale, Arizona

• Marcia Hartsock, The Medical Art Company, Cincinnati, Ohio

• Floyd E. Hosmer, FEH Illustrations, Birmingham, Alabama

• John W. Karapelou, Karapelou Medical Art, Cleveland, Ohio

• Marsha J. Kitkowski, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

• David Klemm, Faculty and Curriculum Support, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC

• Christy Krames, Austin, Texas

• Michael Kress-Russick, Kress-Russick Illustration, Madison, Wisconsin

• Mark Lefkowitz, Sharon, Massachusetts

• Steven and Myriam Oh, KO Studios, Pacifica, California

• Bert Oppenheim, Medway, Massachusetts

• Stacey Sachs, Brookeville, Maryland

• Chris Scalici, Brookline, Massachusetts

• Mark E. Schuler, Prairie Village, Kansas

• Linda Warren, Austin, Texas

• William Westwood, Westwood Medical Communications, Albany, New York

Cover of the Year

In June of each year, the Publications Division staff members at AAFP headquarters review all the cover illustrations from the previous year and vote for their favorite one. The contest considers a number of criteria including topic, illustration style, visual appeal, and portrayal of the subject. The winning cover is framed and placed on the “Wall of Fame” at AAFP headquarters. This year's winner is the March 1, 2008, issue: “Diagnosis of Ear Pain,” by Joan Beck from Cottage Grove, Minnesota. Congratulations and thank you to Joan!