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Dear readership,

After 13 years as editor (and in recent years interim editor-in-chief jointly with Esther Jurgens), I have decided to leave the editorial board of Medicus Tropicus bulletin, be it with mixed feelings.

I joined in 2010 when Hans Borgstein was editor-in-chief, who was followed by Hans Wendte, and later by Leon Bijlmakers. During that time, we decided on a more structured approach, selecting a theme for each issue. This proved to be efficient and productive, with guest editors often taking the lead and approaching potential authors from their network of colleagues. For the editorial board, these were extremely useful learning exercises, and this thematic approach continues to date. We have been careful to preserve a mix of public health and clinical topics, which we think reflects the activities and interests of the readership of the journal, in the Netherlands or abroad. In this respect, Esther and I managed to keep a perfect balance, given our background in public health and clinical medicine, respectively.

With more than 40 issues published in the last ten years that are available on the web (MTb, Bulletin of the NVTG – NVTG), a respectable (open access) library is available that reflects current trends and topics in Global Health and Tropical Medicine. Hopefully, the older (paper) issues will be scanned and added to the database.

Having a full complement of editors on the board proved challenging over the years. While we had many young and enthusiastic people joining, their availability was often for a relatively short period, as they, quite understandably, moved on with their career, not uncommonly a posting abroad. Yet, I believe that being an editor on a journal like MTb provides an excellent opportunity to experience what it takes to publish a journal, along the entire editorial process, from conception to proof reading of the final manuscript. It is also a learning experience, as it provides intensive insight into the various contributions along the spectrum of public health and clinical medicine. This includes reviewing the first draft of a submitted manuscript, contacting the author for clarifications, and providing suggestions for improvement. Lastly, it is an opportunity to acquire writing skills by attempting to contribute a piece under supervision of the (senior) editorial board.

I believe that the Netherlands Society of Tropical Medicine and International Health must continue to have its own journal. While the MTb is primarily available in an electronic format, modern times undoubtedly require a rethinking of which way the journal should go, with wider distribution in social media. Fortunately, the younger generation among the editorial board members is helping the senior board members in this respect.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the editorship and have likewise enjoyed contributing papers and editorials; you may have guessed already that I take pleasure in writing.

Lastly, a vote of thanks to all members of the editorial board over the years, and a special word of thanks to Esther Jurgens without whom all this would not have been possible.