From the Editor's Desk
John M. Ruiz, PhD, APS Newsletter Editor

Into the Future

Happy New Year everyone. Hopefully this newsletter finds you gearing up for a fantastic 2012. Apologies for the delay in your newsletter but as you may notice, we’ve made some changes. Over the next few weeks you will be receiving this newsletter in three different formats - hardcopy, pdf, and new electronic flavor. More than just an odd holiday gift from APS, these represent a transition in our communication platform. As Dr. Irwin notes in his column, discussions at the recent board meeting emphasized “the importance of electronic communication platforms to better serve society membership”. Consistent with this charge, the newsletter is undergoing not only content but format changes to better represent us as a professional society.

Over the next year we will move to an exclusively electronic format for the newsletter. In addition to obvious cost savings, the electronic format allows for more dynamic content including active links, embedded video (see the video on the recent APS name change survey in this edition), and a more contemporary presentation style. It will allow for better coordination between the newsletter and Psychosomatic Medicine and it can be delivered more quickly and shared more easily with colleagues. Many of you likely enjoy the convenience of the hardcopy newsletter and may lament its retirement. However, a pdf “printer-friendly” format will continue to be produced for the foreseeable future and will be posted on the website. In fact, the website has pdf newsletters going back to 2007. As you review these changes please email me with any comments or suggestions including a preference to opt out early from the hardcopy format.

This Edition of the Newsletter
The newsletter format is but one of many forward-looking events discussed in this newsletter. In his presidential column, Dr. Irwin discusses the broader agenda to maintain our society’s position as a leader in psychosomatic research including specific efforts aimed at improving collaboration and capitalizing on the strengths of our members and their work. This newsletter also features a stronger tie in with the journal including an introduction from Dr. Willem Kop on trends in the Psychosomatic Medicine as well as content highlights with links to recent outstanding contributions. Dr. Peter Gianaros also makes a call for a new special section in the journal dedicated to Neuroscience in Health and Disease. We also have updates from the new Diversity Promotion Committee, an update from the Program Committee regarding the 2012 meeting in Athens, Greece, and an announcement regarding the APS’s sponsored 2012 meeting of the Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine. In this issue we also have the privilege of getting to know Dr. Linda Gallo of San Diego State University who discusses her exemplary work in Latino health, her academic fears, and an unhealthy love of the NFL’s currently 4-7 San Diego Chargers. In the Awards section 2011 Patricia R. Barchas Award winner Dr. Shelley Taylor of UCLA discusses her outstanding career in social factors and health. As always, I encourage you to contact me with any questions, suggestions or comments. Again, Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for 2012.

CORRESPONDENCE: Please email questions, comments, and suggestions to John M. Ruiz, Ph.D., Editor, APS Newsletter, John.Ruiz@unt.edu