OrthoBuzz is pleased to introduce readers to members of the JBJS community who play an integral role in the organization. Kicking off this new series, “Inside JBJS,” is a Q&A with Leesa M. Galatz, MD, MBA, Professor and Chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine and the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City, and Chair of the JBJS Board of Trustees.
In this interview, Dr. Galatz reflects on her past and current roles with JBJS, the evolving challenges and opportunities in orthopaedic publishing and research, and the importance of maintaining excellence and innovation in the field.
How did you first get involved with JBJS and why?
Early in my career, I was a reviewer for JBJS. I reviewed manuscripts for the Shoulder & Elbow and Basic Science sections. As a member of the Board, I have served as Chair of the Audit Committee, Secretary of the Executive Committee, Vice-Chair of the Board, and this year, I am serving as Chair/President of the Board.
JBJS has long been the premier journal in orthopaedics. From the time I was a medical student, JBJS has been a trusted source of the best articles published in our field. The peer review process, the editorial process, and statistical review process were known to be the most rigorous. Publishing in JBJS was a huge boost to any academic career. Members of the Board and the Chief Editors were among the most respected academic orthopaedic surgeons in the country. Therefore, when I was nominated to serve on this Board, I was pleased to join. I feel that I have a role in continuing the history of the excellence The Journal has demonstrated. Medical publishing is entering a new era, and I am happy to be able to be instrumental in guiding JBJS in a time of significant change.
What are the responsibilities and goals of the JBJS Board?
The Board is responsible for choosing the Chief Executive Officer and the Editor-in-Chief and setting compensation and performance metrics for these key leaders. The Board has several committees: Audit, Finance, Compensation, and Executive committees, and we assemble ad hoc committees as needed. Through these committees, we monitor activities and operations of the organization and offer guidance in these areas. We receive updates on educational activities, such as the Miller Review Course and Clinical Classroom.
We also discuss important issues at our meetings, such as the impact of AI, challenges to medical publishing, and business ventures of the organization. We vet and consider various other investments that are aligned with our mission and values.
Our goal is to facilitate and ensure that JBJS remains the highest-quality journal in orthopaedics, to make sure the organization remains financially healthy, and to encourage JBJS to seek opportunities and partnerships to grow and innovate in the field. We want to make sure that JBJS remains the premier source of orthopaedic publishing and education.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities today as a researcher, surgeon, or author?
The biggest challenge for researchers today is financial support, especially for clinician researchers. In the current climate, established funding is challenging enough, let alone receiving new funding awards. Finances are very tight right now in clinical departments, so funding researchers without federal funding is difficult, and institutions are clawing back on designated research time for unfunded research. From a department perspective, maintaining a strong research infrastructure is costly without school or hospital support.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in publishing right now?
Publishing is facing a few major challenges right now. The first is competition. New journals spring up each year. Orthopaedics is becoming increasingly specialized, so surgeons are prioritizing specialty journals that are relevant to their practices. So, keeping surgeons connected to JBJS means offering a wider spectrum of journals, opportunities for publication, and other educational offerings. The sheer volume of information is hard to keep up with, so surgeons prioritize what is relevant and easy to access.
The evolution of AI is both a challenge and an opportunity. Capabilities improve at a breakneck pace, and the possibility of fabricated data and manuscripts exists. The ability to detect this must keep up, but may lag behind. On the other hand, AI has tremendous potential to make some parts of the research and manuscript preparation process much easier. It is up to the medical publishing industry to unite and collaborate around this issue, defining appropriate use of AI and staying on top of technology to help maintain academic integrity.
How have you or JBJS changed in your tenure on the Board?
We have both a new CEO and new EIC, positions with very low turnover historically, so this is a time of substantial change in the organization. It was a privilege to be part of the search process, as I saw several highly qualified individuals and got an up-close look at the process. We chose 2 very visionary individuals for these positions, and I am thrilled to see how they are moving JBJS forward. Their passion for JBJS is palpable, and we will have a lot to release very soon!
I have personally benefitted from serving on the Board. I have learned a lot about the publishing industry and finance of nonprofit organizations. The Board consists of very talented people, and I have learned a lot from them along the way.
Outside of work, what are you interests and hobbies?
My great love and passion outside of work is horses. My family has been breeding, raising, and showing Morgan horses for over 40 years. My family founded Vegas Valley Morgans in the 1980s, and I am fortunate to continue the legacy of breeding national and world champions. I still compete myself and enjoy spending time riding and competing with my horses.
I have a son, who is a senior in college. My husband is a vascular surgeon. Together we enjoy cycling, hiking, and other adventure activities.
Thank you, Dr. Galatz!
Stay tuned for more posts in this series coming soon!