With Appreciation

Lia van Rijswijk’s wealth of knowledge and experience has been invaluable to me in my first 2 years as managing editor. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to work with and learn from her. There are many others who share my sentiments, including former managing editor, Barbara Zeiger.

“Lia has been a major voice for maintaining the scientific and research integrity of first Ostomy Wound Management and then Wound Management & Prevention,” said Zeiger. “Over the course of my 20 years as editor, I learned a great deal about how to sculpt an abstract, the need for methods to match results, and the importance of full disclosure in research. She always said she would leave when I did; it only took 2 years for her to keep her word. Wishing her health and happiness as she shifts gears.”

Many other people have also chimed in on the legacy Lia leaves behind.

Editorial Advisory Board Member Catherine Milne, MSN, APRN, BC-ANP, BC-CWS, CWOCN, had this to say: “Always a mentor! After joining the Editorial Review Board for what was known as Ostomy Wound Management, I saw Lia’s leadership bring evidence-based practice to the profession via publications and presentations. We saw the journal grow and blossom into Wound Management & Prevention. Impressing me the most is her vision—seeing all the wonderful work of wound, ostomy, and continence colleagues not being indexed (and thus losing discoverability and status) and her dogged determination to have our journal meet the rigorous criteria of indexing in order for our colleagues’ work to live on!”

“Lia is a scholar as evidenced by her own publications,” said Barbara Pieper, PhD, RN, CWOCN, BC-ACNS, FAAN, another member of the advisory board.  “She is a gifted writer. Her editorials have included societal issues, such as the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on health care and vaccination requirements, tributes to clinical and research leaders, writing/publication concerns, and the role of science and care. She often integrates a historical perspective with clinical and societal concerns. As an editor, she is serious and meticulous; is critical but respectful. She teaches as she leads. In terms of her work on the journal’s board, she has been motivated, passionate, and dedicated. She helps the board think about issues and develop a plan. Her contributions as clinical editor will be missed, but her many gifts will continue to enhance other aspects of her professional and personal life. I have learned so much from her. I wish her the best!”

Wound Management & Prevention’s publisher, Jeremy Bowden, recognizes that HMP Global has been incredibly fortunate to have Lia as the clinical editor for all these years. “You have navigated this publication through so many changes in this field over the 20 years I have been here and prior to me,” he said. “Thank you for your dedication to HMP and this field, and we look forward to working with you in other capacities as I know you have so much more to give to this field we all love.”

Finally, Peter Norris, former senior vice president of HMP who also recently retired, sums it up best. “There are many traits to describe Lia, but here are two of my favorites: passionate and loyal. In the nearly 30 years we worked together, I appreciated both of those traits. Lia pushed us to never compromise our editorial integrity and was never afraid to speak her mind. Her passion for the field of wound care is boundless and certainly influenced me throughout my career. I’ve saved loyalty for last as that is my favorite trait of Lia’s. It manifests in her wonderful marriage and being a proud mother, all while working ungodly hours in her nursing, teaching, and publishing careers. Lia, thanks for all you’ve accomplished!”

Read Clinical Editor Lia van Rijswijk's description of her journey with Wound Management & Prevention in Changing My Leaves. 

The opinions and statements expressed herein are specific to the respective author and not necessarily those of Wound Management & Prevention or HMP Global. This article was not subject to the Wound Management & Prevention peer-review process.