I am pleased to present the second issue of JGH Open. It is particularly gratifying that we can publish this second issue so soon after the first, which was published online on 18 September, 2017. The first issue was warmly received by members of the Asian Pacific gastrointestinal (GI) and liver fraternity as it was on time for the highly successful Asian Pacific Digestive Week 2017 held in Hong Kong from 22 to 26 September.
We continue to receive a stream of articles from authors throughout the Asian Pacific region and are processing a further 10 articles which we hope can be published in November and December 2017. From this issue, I shall be introducing a series of leading articles which will touch on, not just scientific or medical matters, but also on profiles and activities of key organizations in our gastrointestinal fraternity in the Asia Pacific.
To that end, I am pleased to publish in this issue, the first of such articles – “The History and Profile of the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (JGH)”, our “sister” journal and written by JGH's past Chief Editor and Editor Emeritus, Professor Geoff Farrell. This article is timely given the introduction and publication of the JGH Open.
Geoff was an outstanding Editor‐in‐Chief of the JGH from 2006–2012. During his tenure and through his dedicated efforts and leadership, Geoff had streamlined the overall running of the journal and made it one of the most efficient publications in the world. Under his watch, the impact factor in 2013 of the JGH had risen to 3.32. Before assuming the position of Editor‐in‐Chief of the JGH, he had been senior editor of the JGH for many years and was also the inaugural Chair of the JGHF Trust Foundation. Geoff was the President of the first Asian Pacific Digestive Week held in Sydney in 2001 and a Past President of the Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA). The Asian Pacific GI and liver fraternity will always be grateful to Geoff for his immense contributions. I hope you will enjoy reading his article.
I look forward to your continued support in readership as well as submissions of articles to the JGH Open.