The Journal of Vascular Surgery (JVS) has announced the appointment of a new associate editor for clinical research who will be focused on diversity, equity and inclusion.
Ulka Sachdev-Ost, MD, associate professor of vascular surgery at the University of Pittsburgh and chief of vascular services at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, will manage peer review of clinical research as well as oversee policies related to diversity.
The appointment comes in the aftermath of the #Medbikini storm that erupted earlier this year after JVS published a since-retracted paper that sought to characterize the prevalence of unprofessional behavior among young vascular surgery trainees.
“We are pleased to announce that Dr. Ulka Sachdev-Ost has accepted the position of associate editor of the Journal of Vascular Surgery (JVS) for clinical research, with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI),” Peter Gloviczki, MD, and Peter F. Lawrence, MD, editors of the Journal of Vascular Surgery Publications, wrote in a communique to members.
“In addition to managing the peer review of clinical research, Dr. Sachdev-Ost will provide oversight to ensure that our policies actively promote diversity and provide opportunities to underrepresented groups in medicine by assisting in the selection of new assistant and associate editors and by helping to strategize our recruitment efforts to ensure we reach everyone who is qualified to participate in the review and publication process.
“She will also recommend training programs for the editors, mentor student and resident JVS interns and serve as the JVS representative on the SVS DEI Committee. This is a vital role with many impactful responsibilities, and we thank Dr. Sachdev-Ost for agreeing to take on this important position. We would also like to thank all those who applied.”
Gloviczki and Lawrence continued: “We believe the addition of a leadership member focusing on DEI is a historic moment for the JVS and for vascular research. In recent months, we have undertaken many initiatives to improve DEI of all JVS journals, beginning with the Editorial Boards of JVS, JVS-Venous and Lymphatic Disorders (JVS-VL) and JVS-Cases and Innovative Techniques (JVS-CIT).”
The editors said JVS had also joined the “Call to action to all surgery journal editors for diversity in the editorial and peer review process,” written by Melina R. Kibbe, MD, andJulie Freischlag, MD, and published in the JAMA Surgery.
“As we begin to work closely with Dr. Sachdev-Ost to identify and address new DEI goals, we will continue to share updates with the SVS membership,” they added.
Meanwhile, the journals are now recruiting for a JVS assistant editor of reviews as well as an associate editor for JVS-Vascular Science. Applications should be sent to Jessica McEwan, JVS managing editor at [email protected] by Oct. 16.
