Introduction to the Journal
2008, Volume 1, Number 1 1 Introduction to the Journal It is with great pleasure that we bring to you this inaugural issue of the (JAO). The JAO is a peer-reviewed journal that serves as a national and international forum for the publication and schol-arly exchange of educational ideas, innovation, and information of interest to academic ophthalmology. In addition to our core mission of medical education in medical student, resident, and fellow training we encourage research in health education, policy, and regulation. We also hope to provide networking and mentoring opportunities for like-minded individuals with an interest in education as well as to be a clearinghouse for announcements of important educational events, meetings, and activities. The Journal is interested in publishing original education research, literature reviews, and (by invitation or solicita-tion) editorial, historical, or policy perspectives. We have assembled an outstanding editorial board to assist us in moving the Journal forward, and we invite readers to contact any of us with their comments, ideas, and innovations. The JAO welcomes original articles as well as letters, announcements, or ideas for editorials, perspectives, and com-mentaries. In this inaugural issue, we are pleased to showcase a number of original articles but also some perspective and opin-ion pieces from some of the recognized thought leaders in ophthalmic education. As the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) competency mandate and the Outcomes Project move into a more rigorous assessment phase, we hope that the JAO will be able to assist program directors and ophthalmic educators by provid-ing a resource for best practices ; being a clearinghouse for proven techniques ; being a virtual laboratory for test-ing new tools and innovations; and being the peer and learner recognized best source for information about academic and educational issues in ophthalmology. We encourage you to join us in celebrating this new venture by submitting your work to the JAO. Andrew G. Lee, MD Editor-in-Chief, JAO andrew-lee@uiowa.edu