Volume 18 Number 2 Fall 2001

index

Dear readers,

A few months ago I discovered some mail from you. While sorting through files left by Stanford Medicine’s previous editor I came upon stacks of readers’ responses to the magazine’s last readership survey – conducted in 1993. That editor had saved your responses for future editors to ponder.

So ponder I did. You’ll see the results in this issue, a questionnaire aimed at gleaning your thoughts on Stanford Medicine and other Stanford University Medical Center publications. The survey is bound into the center of this magazine.

The last survey had enduring results. Many of you indicated that you would prefer briefer articles. That led to the magazine’s introduction of the "Short Take" department, which presents stories that run about half the length of a traditional magazine feature.

Your comments on the last survey continue to be instructive. I’ve kept them in mind while planning and editing this issue of Stanford Medicine. Some comments from previous surveys include:

• I would be interested in more articles about alumni.
• PROPAGANDA!
• A very worthwhile magazine.
• More articles on controversial topics.
• As a lay person I find it too overwhelming. Would suggest a section for the non-medical reader.
• Excellent publication – though sometimes I wish it were shorter so that I wouldn’t spend so much time reading it. And my favorite (because it keeps me on my toes):
• It’s a totally worthless expense, burden on the postal service and waste of paper.

So, please tell us what you think. I expect that Stanford Medicine will be the better for it.

Before I close, I’d like to call your attention to several developments regarding publications produced by the Medical Center.

The first is the launch of an online newsletter written by the dean of the School of Medicine, Philip A. Pizzo, MD. If you’re interested in Dr. Pizzo’s views apropos of the medical school, you’ll enjoy his biweekly newsletter. You can read it at http://deansnewsletter.stanford.edu/main.html.

And due out in October is Facts 2001-02, the new issue of the booklet produced annually by the Office of News and Public Affairs to provide a snapshot of the Medical Center’s resources and accomplishments. The booklet looks very different this year – the result of its first redesign in more than a decade. Thanks to the efforts of Publications Director Susan Dieterle and Facts Editor Joyce Thomas the booklet is easier to read and is enlivened with photographs – including a dazzling cover photo (see above) showing the reflection of the school’s Edwards Building in the windows of the new Center for Clinical Sciences Research.

Facts 2001-02 will be distributed on campus in October. Off-campus readers can request a copy by calling (650) 723-6911 or e-mailing joyce.thomas@stanford.edu.

As always, I hope you find this issue of Stanford Medicine informative and enjoyable.

Sincerely,

Rosanne Spector
Editor
Stanford Medicine