JBJS is pleased to highlight our Elite Reviewers. The Elite Reviewers Program recognizes our best reviewers for their outstanding efforts. All JBJS reviewers help us maintain the highest standards for quality orthopaedic publishing.
Name: Donald D. Anderson, PhD [most people call me by my nickname, “Don.”]
Affiliation: Department of Orthopedics & Rehabilitation, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
Years in practice: I am a full-time academic researcher, having completed my PhD in December 1989, which I guess means that I have “been in practice” for about 30 years now.
How did you begin reviewing for other journals and for JBJS in particular?
I began accepting requests to review manuscripts immediately after finishing up my PhD. Over the years, the number of journals that rely on my reviewing talents has increased. Somewhere along the way, JBJS started reaching out, and saying “yes” to that invitation was a pretty easy decision.
What is your top piece of advice for those reviewers who aspire to reach Elite status?
Be generous with your time, especially when the manuscript you’re referred is from your area of expertise and the study sounds interesting. It is okay to say “no” on occasion, but try to make that the exception. Then set a reminder for when the review is due and find a few hours to give it your full attention. Don’t sweat grammatical issues. Just tackle the big picture and technical points that occur to you.
Aside from orthopaedic manuscripts, what have you been reading lately?
I hate to admit it, but I read so much at work lately, that I don’t do much personal reading. However, as an engineer, I do complement my “orthopaedic manuscript” review work with comparable effort in the biomechanical engineering literature.
Learn more about the JBJS Elite Reviewers program.