In the fall of 2011, Dr Joseph A. Vita called me to explain that the American Heart Association (AHA) was starting its first online‐only, Open Access journal (Journal of the American Heart Association [JAHA]), that he was the founding Editor‐in‐Chief, and that he was inviting me to join as 1 of 3 Associate Editors. The original editorial team also included John F. Keaney, MD (Deputy Editor); Thomas Wang, MD (Associate Editor); L. Kristin Newby, MD (Associate Editor); Lisa M. Sullivan, PhD (Statistical Editor); an editorial board with 16 representatives from the AHA Councils and 1 additional noncouncil member; and Katie Sullivan as Managing Editor. Although I had published in and reviewed manuscripts for AHA journals, participated in AHA Scientific Sessions, and served on AHA committees, I had minimal understanding of the publication process, never mind the difference between a traditional versus an Open Access journal. JAHA published its first manuscripts in February 2012 and flourished under Joe's leadership. When John Keaney accepted an editorial position at the New England Journal of Medicine in 2013, Joe asked me to take over as Deputy Editor. About a year later, he called to tell me that he was sick but hoped to be able to continue his duties. On November 19, 2014, Joe tragically passed away, and I began my tenure as Editor‐in‐Chief.
During the past 8 years, JAHA has grown to a remarkable extent. Submissions increased ≈5‐fold; we have handled >20 000 manuscripts and published >5000. Our editorial team has likewise grown in size and diversity, now consisting of Daniel T. Eitzman, MD (Deputy Editor); Ferhaan Ahmad, MD, PhD, and Pamela Peterson, MD, MPH (Senior Associate Editors); Saket Girotra, MD, Ajay K. Gupta, MD, PhD, Hani Jneid, MD, Sula Mazimba, MD, Erik B. Schelbert, MD, Marc Simon, MD, and Kori S. Zachrison, MD (Associate Editors); Kerry‐Anne Rye, PhD (Senior Guest Editor); Janice Weinberg, ScD (Senior Statistical Editor); Stacia M. DeSantis, PhD, Kenneth Rice, PhD, and Lisa M. Sullivan, PhD (Statistical Editors); Emily O'Brien, PhD, Belinda Di Bartolo, PhD, and Mireille Ouimet, PhD (Social Media Editors); 44 Editorial Board Members; 14 Early Career Editorial Board Members; Katie Sullivan (Managing Editor), Stephanie Allbritton and Dayna Demers (Assistant Managing Editors); and Kiera Cato (Editorial Assistant). JAHA's recognition and reputation have also grown, with more than half of submissions coming from abroad and an Impact Factor now >6.
With growth came challenges and changes. The COVID‐19 pandemic led to a surge in submissions, while simultaneously putting stress on the people and institutions in place to handle them. During this time, some of the limitations of our editorial processes became apparent, and we took active steps to improve them. I would like to specifically thank the leadership of the American Heart Association for their help and support, including N. A. Mark Estes, MD, and Eldrin F. Lewis, MD (Chairs of the Scientific Publishing Committee) and Heather Goodell (Vice President for Scientific Publishing). The stated goal of the AHA journals, to publish the best science, never wavered during my tenure.
I want to specifically and wholeheartedly thank our editorial team and editorial board, who worked harder than could have been expected and without whom JAHA would not have flourished. Extra special thanks need to go to Katie Sullivan, who has shepherded the journal from its beginnings. It has been my pleasure and honor to have worked with this extraordinary group of people. I only wish that Joe Vita was here to see the success of the journal that he started.
Effective January 1, 2023, Bruce Ovbiagele, MD, will take over as Editor‐in‐Chief of JAHA. His team, which includes both members of the current editorial team/editorial board and new members, will ensure JAHA's ongoing success. I look forward to the new initiatives that he will undertake as JAHA begins its next chapter.
For Disclosures, see page 2.