The medical illustrators who create the art used on AFP covers, within articles, and in patient handouts are talented professionals, and their work enhances the quality, readability, and value of AFP articles. We rarely have an opportunity to thank these individuals personally for their contributions. Most of AFP's medical illustrators have extensive professional training and are board certified by the Association of Medical Illustrators.

The work done by this group of artists, listed below, is coordinated by Dave Klemm, a talented medical illustrator at the Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, DC. Dave works closely with the artists; authors; Associate Deputy Editor Caroline Wellbery, MD; Editor Jay Siwek, MD; and the other medical editors to coordinate the development of various illustrations and to ensure their clinical and anatomic accuracy. In fact, Dave typically creates the first “concept” illustration that is then discussed among the authors and medical and professional editors before being handed over to one of the illustrators.

On behalf of all the AFP editors and readers, I want to thank all of the illustrators 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

• Enid Hatton, Fairfield, Connecticut

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

• John W. Karapelou, Karapelou Medical Art, South Euclid, Ohio

• David Klemm, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC

• Christy Krames, Austin, Texas

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

• Teri McDermott, McDermott Medical Illustration, Elgin, Illinois

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

• Bert Oppenheim, Medway, Massachusetts

• Chris Scalici, Brookline, Massachusetts

• Mark E. Schuler, Prairie Village, Kansas

• 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 of the cover illustrations from the past year and vote for their favorite. The contest considers a number of criteria, including topic, illustration style, visual appeal, and portrayal of the topic. The winning cover is framed and placed on the “Wall of Fame” at AAFP headquarters. This year's winner is the cover illustration from the January 1, 2009, issue: “Principles of Casting and Splinting,” by Bert Oppenheim of Medway, Mass., and Chris Scalici of Brookline, Mass. Congratulations to Bert and Chris, and thank you to all the medical illustrators for enhancing the quality and value of AFP.