Passing the Torch

The symbolism of passing a torch can be traced back to antiquity. The Ancient Greeks viewed fire as sacred, and torch relays existed first as nighttime religious ceremonies and later in sporting events. By 1621, the word torch had come to mean illumination, enlightenment, or guidance so that passing the torch took on the symbolic meaning of passing knowledge, wisdom, and traditions to the next generation. ¹ Passing the torch can also mean relinquishing responsibilities to others. ² We, your editorial team, are about to do both: pass on our knowledge as well as our responsibilities.

The founding editorial team of Bariatric Nursing and Surgical Patient Care is passing the torch to a new team. For the past 5 years, we have carefully steered the journal to its current level of combined scholarship and practicality. When we created the journal in 2006, we were aware of a void in the literature and scholarship about the care of people with obesity by nurses, psychologists, dietitians, physical therapists, pharmacists, and social workers. While other journals existed that focused on research and issues more relevant to physicians, no journal addressed the growing need of nurses and allied health professionals whose care of their patients is affected by obesity. We filled this void with your help.

Together, we have been able to produce and evolve a journal that provides insight, knowledge, and a forum where experts can share their ideas, experiences, and wisdom. We have centered on the multidisciplinary care of both adults and adolescents with obesity. Our focus has included surgical and nonsurgical patients and families and we have published original papers that speak to clinical, administrative, quality, educational, political, and ethical topics.

As the official journal of the National Association of Bariatric Nurses (NABN), we have collectively made inroads to establish best practices for skin care, safe handling and mobilization, and respect and sensitivity. Many NABN members have written journal sections and papers and have participated in roundtable discussions. Others have served as peer reviewers and members of the Editorial Board. With intention, we have embraced all disciplines of the healthcare team that care for people with obesity; we have learned and grown by including these valued colleagues.

The past 5 years have given this editorial team an amazing opportunity—it is rare for individuals to be given the chance to shepherd a journal through inception and the following 5 years. Entrusted with this responsibility, we have spoken with many other professionals to learn their needs and desires for the journal. It is our deepest hope that we have delivered.

The mission of Bariatric Nursing and Surgical Patient Care is to provide enlightenment. We hope the journal is a torch for your practice as a clinician. A torch is a burning source of illumination and understanding. It is time for the next team to take the torch in future directions and provide light in some different and fresh ways. We believe the journal will benefit with new leadership—change is good for scholarship. As we pass the torch to the next editorial team, we do so with thanks and gratitude to you, the readers.