IN MEMORIAM: SCOTT HERMAN
The Endocrine Society lost one of its own May 5, when Scott Herman, group managing editor of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM) and Endocrinology, lost a hard-fought battle with cancer. He was 58.
Herman started with the Endocrine Society in 2002 as managing editor of Endocrinology, getting promoted to managing editor of both Endocrinology and JCEM in 2004, and in 2008 he was named group managing editor and associate director of Endocrinology and JCEM.
Herman made such an impact in his role at the Endocrine Society that he is even credited with expanding the amount of exceptional endocrinology research that was published in the last few years. “For more than a decade, no one more than Scott Herman was responsible for the high quality of published endocrinology research and scholarship,” says Paul W. Ladenson, MD, a former editor-in-chief of JCEM and professor and director, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, & Metabolism, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, in Baltimore, Md. “He was a splendid managing editor who worked with legendary efficiency. Everyone who knew Scott soon saw that beneath his gruff demeanor was a man of great warmth and good humor.”
Herman had a long and distinguished career in the world of scholarly journal publishing. He came to the Society from the Journal of Immunology where he served as the assistant managing editor for eight years. Prior to that, he was the production manager for the Journal of Immunology, editor for the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and production editor for the Transportation Research Board. He began his career as a proofreader for the American Council of Life Insurance in 1978, shortly after graduating from Washington University in St. Louis with a BA in English Literature.
Andrea C. Gore, PhD, editor-in-chief of Endocrinology and professor at the University of Texas, in Austin, Texas, credits Herman with her involvement at the highest level of the Society’s journals. “I would never have considered the position of editor-in-chief of Endocrinology had it not been for Scott Herman,” she says. “Having worked with him previously as an author, a reviewer, and an editor, I experienced his wisdom and humor. After becoming editor-in-chief and working with Scott daily, I learned how much I had underestimated his abilities and, more importantly, his kindness and dedication.”
Leonard Wartofsky, MD, MACP, editor-in-chief of JCEM and professor of medicine, Georgetown University School of Medicine; Department of Medicine, Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., has found himself overwhelmed by the flood of notes, remembrances, phone calls, and emails that he has received in response to Herman’s passing, a testimony to the warmth and admiration for him by his friends and colleagues. “I had the pleasure and honor of enjoying Scott’s collegiality, friendship, and humor for many years, even well before we started working together on JCEM almost five years ago,” he says. “As his co-worker, I benefited daily from his vast publishing experience, wisdom, insights, candor, delightful sarcasm, and unique joie de vivre.”
When Herman’s prognosis took a downward turn, Wartofsky was inspired by his grace, serenity, equanimity, and even humor in dealing with his terrible illness in such a remarkably gallant and courageous manner. “John Donne wrote that ‘any man’s death diminishes me because I am involved with mankind…’ and certainly Scott’s death diminishes me, and all of us, because he was so involved with mankind as a husband, brother, uncle, editor, colleague, and dear friend,” he continues. “Death is, of course, inevitable for us all, but still we mourn. Today we mourn Scott’s loss even more because his death was so premature and untimely. Yet, there is some palliation for our grief in the celebration of his lifetime of achievement and the memories and legacy that he leaves behind.”
— Mark A. Newman
Endocrinology Editor Responds to
Washington Post Article on EDCs
Andrea C. Gore, PhD, the editor-in-chief of the Endocrine Society journal Endocrinology, had a letter to the editor published in the June 6 edition of the Washington Post.
Gore, professor of pharmacology and toxicology at the University of Texas, in Austin, responded to an article in the June 2 edition entitled, “Are some antimicrobial soaps harmful? A state’s decision to ban renews questions.”
In her letter, Gore stated that the original article seemingly downplayed the risks posed by exposure to triclosan and other endocrine disruptors. “A growing body of research shows that triclosan alters levels of thyroid and reproductive hormones in disturbing ways,” she wrote. “Triclosan is shaping up to be the new bisphenol-A (BPA).” BPA, of course, is the ubiquitous petroleum derivative found in everything from food containers to children’s toys, which has been at the center of the endocrine-disruptor debate for many years.
Gore wrote further that despite the evidence, “triclosan remains widespread in products marketed to people, including pregnant women and infants,” adding that any conscientious consumer curious about what is really contained in household products is forced to read tiny labels in order to make sure there are no endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
“People have the right to know what they are buying, and they should be aware that washing with antibacterial soap containing triclosan may do more harm than good,” she concluded.
— Mark A. Newman
Introducing a New Member Benefit:
Free Practice Improvement Modules (PIMs)
To support your Maintenance of Certification (MOC) needs, the Endocrine Society now offers its PIMs free-of-charge to members.
Both the Evaluation of Thyroid Nodules and the Androgen Deficiency in Men PIMs will help you earn your required 20 MOC Practice Performance (Part 4) points from the American Board of Internal Medicine. And the new Congenital Hypothyroidism PIM has just been released! Developed in collaboration by the Pediatric Endocrine Society and the Endocrine Society, the PIM provides you with 20 MOC Part 4 points to meet the American Board of Pediatrics MOC requirements.
For more information about PIMs, MOCs, and other self-assessment products from the Endocrine Society visit www.endoselfassessment.org.
ESAP™-ITE Reaches Record Numbers! Look out in the fall for ITE registration!
This year the Endocrine Self-Assessment Program In-Training (ESAP-ITE) exam was a great success. The Self-Assessment Committee is happy to report that 597 endocrine fellows from 139 training programs worldwide completed the exam in April. Of those 139 training programs, five new training programs registered their fellows, including three international programs. The addition of SI units to the 2014 exam has increased applicability to international training programs. Learn more about ITE on endoselfassessment.org. ESAPITE 2015 dates will change. The exam will be available for proctoring January 15, 2015 to February 15, 2015.
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