JBJS is pleased once again 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:

Steven A. Olson, MD

Affiliation:

Duke University School of Medicine

Years in practice: 27

How did you begin reviewing for other journals and for JBJS in particular?

I was sent a request for a review by Bob Bucholz years ago.

What is your top piece of advice for those reviewers who aspire to reach Elite status?

Be thoughtful, and try to help the authors find ways to make the manuscript better for the reader.

Aside from orthopaedic manuscripts, what have you been reading lately?

Founding Brothers, How to be an Anti-Racist.

Learn more about the JBJS Elite Reviewers program.

JBJS is pleased once again 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:

Adolph “Chick” Yates, Jr., MD

Affiliation:

University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA

Years in practice: 31

How did you begin reviewing for other journals and for JBJS in particular?

For some I volunteered and for others I got “volunteered”.

What is your top piece of advice for those reviewers who aspire to reach Elite status?

1. Take on every request
2. Strive to make the review helpful to the author(s).
3. Look for ways to reward hard work that needs help getting expressed.

Aside from orthopaedic manuscripts, what have you been reading lately?

Given the election year, the offerings from Real Clear Politics as well as multiple papers on COVID-19 from PubMed searches.

Learn more about the JBJS Elite Reviewers program.

JBJS is pleased once again 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:

James B. Talmage MD

Affiliation:

Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation

Years in practice: “Retired” after 14,154 days in clinical practice. Two part-time jobs. 48 years since Medical School graduation.

How did you begin reviewing for other journals and for JBJS in particular?

The Spine Journal asked me to review in 2010. JBJS asked me to review in 2017. I think the journals “stumbled” onto me through my presentations at the AAOS Occupational Orthopaedics CME courses (course faculty since 2001).

What is your top piece of advice for those reviewers who aspire to reach Elite status?

Follow the JBJS reviewer guidelines. They “walk you through” how to write a review.

Aside from orthopaedic manuscripts, what have you been reading lately?

Books on Quantum Mechanics, Astrophysics, and Cell Biology

Learn more about the JBJS Elite Reviewers program.

JBJS is pleased once again 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:

Per-Henrik Randsborg

Affiliation:

a) Hospital for Special Surgery / New York

b) Akershus University Hospital / Norway

Years in practice: 10 years as a consultant orthopedic surgeon

How did you begin reviewing for other journals and for JBJS in particular?

After I published my first studies as part of my PhD thesis, my supervisor, Professor Aaroen, recommended me as a reviewer for JBJS. A few years later, Professor Lars Engebretsen nominated me as an associate editor for JBJS Open Access.

What is your top piece of advice for those reviewers who aspire to reach Elite status?

Give constructive criticism (like you would advise your own PhD student or colleague). Remember that most authors have put a lot of effort into the work. Focus on the important stuff: Is the research question interesting (and clearly stated)? Are the method and sample size appropriate to answer the question? Are the results adequately presented and is the conclusion backed by the results in the study? 

I also spend a lot of time asking authors not to repeat the introduction or the results in the Discussion section. That seems to be a common thing and can always be fixed by a revision (and should not be cause for rejection). Finally, try to say yes to most of the invitations to review, and keep the deadline. It will take you the same amount of time if you do it today or next week, so why not today… It’s fun, and I have learned a lot by doing the reviews for JBJS. It is a great and rewarding way to keep updated.

Aside from orthopaedic manuscripts, what have you been reading lately?

I just finished White Trash by Nancy Isenberg. A fascinating read about the class system in America. Next on the list is Chimera by Gert Nygardshaug, the fourth book in the Mengele Zoo series.

Learn more about the JBJS Elite Reviewers program.

JBJS is pleased once again 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:

Paul A. Anderson

Affiliation:

University of Wisconsin Madison, WI

Years in practice: 35

How did you begin reviewing for other journals and for JBJS in particular?

I believe based on publishing manuscripts and leadership in specialty societies.

What is your top piece of advice for those reviewers who aspire to reach Elite status?

Be critical, do not accept dogma.  Look for clearly stated hypotheses and study aims, without those reject the paper. Make sure that results reflect study aims and that conclusions are supported by results.  Strive for brevity and precision in writing. Remember Pascal said, “I have only made this letter longer because I have not had the time to make it shorter.”

Always review what the other reviewers report so you can improve.

Aside from orthopaedic manuscripts, what have you been reading lately?

I read history books both nonfiction and fiction.  Suggest reading classics of those who are outstanding authors to learn writing skills, e.g. Churchill.

Learn more about the JBJS Elite Reviewers program.

JBJS is pleased once again 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:

Thomas Vail, MD

Affiliation:

University of California, San Francisco.  San Francisco, CA, USA

Years in practice: 29 years

How did you begin reviewing for other journals and for JBJS in particular?

I started reviewing articles as a resident assisting the attending staff.  I enjoyed the process, as it exposed me to nuances of scientific writing and research methodology.

What is your top piece of advice for those reviewers who aspire to reach Elite status?

Look at the manuscript right away, even if briefly.  Taking a quick look will prompt you to start thinking about the research question and the methodology.  This will make the more detailed review process easier.  I have a template for reviewing that I always follow.  Using a template allows me to organize my thoughts efficiently.

Aside from orthopaedic manuscripts, what have you been reading lately?

I like reading biographies of interesting people.  This includes musicians, politicians, military, business entrepreneurs, and civil rights figures.  Understanding how successful people think and act provides very useful perspective as I consider my own life.

Learn more about the JBJS Elite Reviewers program.

JBJS is pleased once again 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:

Lise DeGnore, MD

Affiliation:

BHMG Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Lexington, KY

Years in practice: 27 years

How did you begin reviewing for other journals and for JBJS in particular?

A former orthopedic attending recruited me.

What is your top piece of advice for those reviewers who aspire to reach Elite status?

Read carefully, add the numbers, think carefully.

Aside from orthopaedic manuscripts, what have you been reading lately?

I enjoy mysteries, and I have just finished John Sandford’s latest novel.

Learn more about the JBJS Elite Reviewers program.

JBJS is pleased once again 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:

Charles Cornell, M.D.

Affiliation:

Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, N.Y.

Years in practice: 34 years

How did you begin reviewing for other journals and for JBJS in particular?

I was nominated as a reviewer to JBJS by Al Burstein who was a senior editor.

What is your top piece of advice for those reviewers who aspire to reach Elite status?

Read everything you can. Accept every invitation. Set aside time every week for journal work.

Aside from orthopaedic manuscripts, what have you been reading lately?

Novels, nonfiction regarding the history of racism in America

Learn more about the JBJS Elite Reviewers program.

JBJS is pleased once again 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:

Dana C Mears, MD, PhD

Affiliation:

Clinical Professor, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Greater Pittsburgh Orthopaedic Associates, Pittsburgh, PA

Years in practice: 45

How did you begin reviewing for other journals and for JBJS in particular?

I was invited by the Editor of each relevant journal to review a manuscript. That event culminated in an invitation to become a regular reviewer.

What is your top piece of advice for those reviewers who aspire to reach Elite status?

Such an aspiring reviewer has to be prepared to divert a considerable amount of time and effort to critically evaluate each manuscript in a timely manner.

Aside from orthopaedic manuscripts, what have you been reading lately?

I enjoy reading about decorative gardens and newly developed flowers and shrubs.

Learn more about the JBJS Elite Reviewers program.

JBJS is pleased once again 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:

Nicholas J. Giori M.D., Ph.D.

Affiliation:

Stanford University and VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA

Years in practice: 20

How did you begin reviewing for other journals and for JBJS in particular?

I began reviewing for journals when I was a graduate student.  I don’t recall how I specifically became a JBJS reviewer.

What is your top piece of advice for those reviewers who aspire to reach Elite status?

Start by stepping back from the details of the article and taking a larger perspective.  What problem are the authors trying to address?  Is the study design appropriate to address the problem or question?  Outline the study in some way and see if it makes overall sense.  Are the authors’ conclusions supported by the results of the study?  After establishing a broad view of the study, you can dive into the details. 

Aside from orthopaedic manuscripts, what have you been reading lately?

I enjoy reading about history as it gives me a perspective on what is happening in today’s world.  My most recent interest has been regarding the history of central Asia.

Learn more about the JBJS Elite Reviewers program.