When David Chang, MD, told me that he wanted to present several cataract surgeons' toughest cases and the lessons they taught, I agreed that the theme was a solid choice for his farewell cover series as Chief Medical Editor of Cataract & Refractive Surgery Today. After all, some of the best-attended, liveliest sessions at ophthalmologic meetings focus on surgical complications. As usual, I prepared and distributed an invitation. The responses were generally prompt. Most included the phrase I would be honored or I am happy to participate. The sentiments expressed were warm, because it was David's last cover series. The high percentage of positive responses, however, was not unusual. I believe that is in no small part due to the high regard in which other surgeons hold David.
During our collaboration, David has demonstrated a keen sense of the issues of greatest concern to cataract/IOL surgeons and a commitment to exploring each topic thoroughly. He has also displayed a deep sensitivity to the need for CRSToday to provide balanced coverage of issues.
Working with David has been a privilege. I have always been able to count on him for a timely reply to my queries and a prompt review of articles. When I have contacted him to plan upcoming editions of CRSToday, he usually had already begun brainstorming. Like me, David prefers to work ahead, which is perhaps one of the greatest compliments that, as an editor, I can pay him.
This series of articles serves as a tribute to David as well as to the surgeons who persevered through these challenging (often terrifying) cases and learned from them. I am sure it was painful for some of the authors to recount their experiences, but that emotion gives the articles their resonance. Readers will find more stories of this kind in 2009 as part of a new column for CRSToday for which David will serve as the section editor.
I extend my thanks to David for 5 years of insightful, caring leadership. The rest of the editorial staff and I look forward to working with him in his new role at CRSToday, and we wish him all the best.
