When I assumed this position in 1996, the health care reform was revolutionizing health care delivery systems. Practitioners were drowning in the aftermath of the reform, struggling with implementing the message of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) into practice, and contemplating the implications of the DCCT for children and for individuals with type 2 diabetes. Providers recognized the value of diabetes education, but there was little evidence-based research to support it and no reimbursement for services. Sentiments of health care providers included confusion, frustration, and disappointment.

In my inaugural editorial, titled "A Lighthouse in the Storm," I suggested that this journal could serve as a beacon shedding light on topics that were relevant and timely. The editorial team appreciated these problems and agreed to help diabetes care providers during these turbulent times. The editorial team wanted to help lighten the clinician's load by gathering information related to hot issues and interpreting research findings into clinical practice in a user-friendly way. We tried our best to sail through the rough waters of those storms. I hope that you, our valued readers, have found our approach and information useful.

Permit me now to reminisce and highlight some of our team's work during the past 4 years and to personally thank those whose contributions and commitment have made this editorship a wonderful experience for me.

A special note of appreciation goes to our associate editors:

Chris Ryan, for bringing our readership critical information on diabetes and the brain (Vol. 10, No. 1, 1997). When clinicians were perplexed by the unavoidable problem of hypoglycemia while achieving "tight" glycemic control, Dr. Ryan helped clear the muddy waters.

Beth Ann Coonrod, a former patient, epidemiologist, nurse educator, and friend, for bringing news on a topic that we find very little practical information on, neuropathy (Vol. 11, No. 4, 1998). Thanks also to Dr. Coonrod for allowing me to dive deep and explore the topic that initially brought us together: adolescence and diabetes (Vol. 13, No. 2, 2000).

Mary Korytkowski, a respected colleague whose expertise in women's health and clinical care I have always admired, for the issue on diabetes in women (Vol. 10, No. 3, 1997). That issue provided up-to-date information on every aspect of women's health and diabetes, from protecting the fetus in utero to hormone replacement during menopause. Our inaugural issue devoted to management strategies for type 2 diabetes (Vol. 9, No. 1, 1996) would never have happened were it not for Dr. Korytkowski's tireless efforts and meticulous reviews. The From Research to Practice section on coronary heart disease (Vol. 12, No. 2, 1999) was also the result of Dr. Korytkowski's hard work.

Davida Kruger, for insisting that if we featured women with diabetes, we needed to include an issue on men (Vol. 11, No. 2, 1998). She also brought cutting edge information to our readership in a research section on technological advances in diabetes care (Vol. 9, No. 4, 1996). Also, a special thanks for taking on a theme that is neglected in scientific journals: advocacy (Vol. 12, No. 4, 1999). Ms. Kruger has always known that without advocacy and fund-raising efforts, diabetes care would never be recognized and supported. I appreciate her sensitivity to the real-life issues and her "political correctness."

Karmeen Kulkarni, our nutrition expert, for taking us from the old-school philosophy of looking at sugar as the forbidden fruit to showing us how to incorporate sucrose into a healthy meal plan. She, along with her incredible nutrition colleagues, finally convinced us (through evidence-based research) that a carb is a carb is a carb! Ms. Kulkarni brought every nutrition hot topic to the journal, including the new nutrition guidelines for type 1 diabetes (Vol. 10, No. 4, 1997) and two stellar issues devoted solely to advances in medical nutrition therapy (Vol. 9, No. 2, 1996 and Vol. 13, No. 3, 2000).

Ruth Farkas-Hirsch, one of the best diabetes educators in the United States, for tackling without hesitancy issues devoted to managed care (Vol. 9, No. 3, 1996) and strategies for intensive management (Vol. 11, No. 1, 1998). I was pleased that the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recognized Ms. Farkas-Hirsch's expertise during our editorial term and that an editorial based on her acceptance speech for the Outstanding Educator in Diabetes award in 1996 was published in Spectrum during her tenure as an associate editor (Vol. 11, No. 1, 1998).

Mark Peyrot, a renowned behavioral scientist, for reminding us of the importance of the psychosocial and behavioral aspects in diabetes care. In his work on the journal, Dr. Peyrot reinforced the message that promoting knowledge alone and focusing on medical outcomes is not enough. In the issue on quality of life (Vol. 13, No. 1, 2000), articles substantiated the importance of including psychosocial outcomes such as quality of life in assessing a person's well-being. Sensitivities to cultural differences and needs were also brought to our attention in his excellent issue devoted to diabetes interventions in minority populations (Vol. 11, No., 3, 1998). I cannot even begin to express my appreciation for Dr. Peyrot's thoroughness in his reviews, which made my job a breeze.

Richard Guthrie, for agreeing to step in as the medical associate editor at the end of our team's tenure. Dr. Guthrie graciously agreed to coordinate our efforts to translate the findings of the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) into clinical practice in this issue.

In addition to coordinating informative From Research to Practice sections, our associate editors frequently reviewed submitted articles and were responsible for the journal's standing departments: Nutrition FYI (Ms. Kulkarni), Clinical Decision Making (Dr. Korytkowski and Ms. Kruger), Lifestyle and Behavior (Dr. Peyrot and Dr. Ryan), and Open Forum (Dr. Coonrod and Ms. Farkas-Hirsch). Their work helped to ensure that all members of the diabetes care team would have something to look forward to in each issue.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the numerous guest editors and authors, as well as the editorial board members and peer-reviewers, who contributed throughout my tenure. Their talents were priceless. I greatly enjoyed the personal connections we made in preparing our issues, and each and every one provided me with tremendous intellectual stimulation. I will truly miss reading all of the well-prepared manuscripts that came across my desk.

My appreciation also goes to the ADA publications department staff, Publisher Peter Banks, Managing Editors Mark Leader and Aime Ballard, and Assistant Managing Editor Stacey Wages, as well as my colleagues on the Association's Publications Policy Committee. They provided direction and support and made sure that Spectrum was on time and on target. I also need to express my gratitude to Pat Antonio, my faithful Spectrum partner at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. I relied on Ms. Antonio's patience, secretarial support, and friendship on a daily basis. And, finally, I extend my deepest appreciation to my co-captain, Debbie Fentress, our project manager. If there could be such a thing as a "perfect storm," her constant support and guidance helped make navigating through ours such an event to remember.

In some ways, the storm now appears to be settling, and there may be a break in the clouds. In the past 4 years, studies have confirmed that education makes the difference. Finally, evidence-based research has demonstrated the benefits of diabetes self-management education and medical nutrition therapy. What we instinctively knew to do by incorporating diabetes self-management education, theoretical models, and culturally sensitive community-based initiatives into our programs has finally been proven to be effective. The UKPDS has provided the indisputable results that good glycemic and blood pressure control is beneficial to those with type 2 diabetes. The federal government has finally recognized the value of education and quality care by expanding reimbursement for services and establishing the Diabetes Quality Improvement Program.

Now, a new day dawns with a wave of new challenges: technology; genome and gene therapy; more evidence-based research; and creative interventions based on behavioral research findings. As we all begin to explore these new waters, I entrust Diabetes Spectrum to the capable hands of Belinda Childs and her new editorial team. I wish them all the best in what I consider a great continuing adventure.

We'll keep the light on for you!