Meeting the needs of our readers

The Joumal of the American Society of Echocardiography (JASE) has a number of important responsibilities. As a peer-reviewed professional journal, JASE is responsible for publishing high-quality scientific articles that advance the field of echocardiography and further its use to improve patient care. JASE is also responsible to prospective authors, owing them timely and constructive feedback, and timely publication of accepted articles. As the official journal of the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE), JASE is responsible for helping to promote the activities of the society, including dissemination of ASE guidelines and standards documents, publication of abstracts accepted for presentation at the annual scientific sessions, printing of posters and similar educational materials, and circulation of notices of society activities through the monthly President's Message and Sonographer's Communication columns in the "blue" and "yellow" pages. One could argue, however, that perhaps our most important responsibility is to our readers. Let's consider why I believe this to be the case.