DermWorld Academy Insider: Meet the new JAAD Case Reports editor: Abby Van Voorhees, MD, FAAD

June 10, 2024

JAAD Case Reports, a companion publication of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology supporting the advancement of clinical dermatology practice, recently announced that Abby Van Voorhees, MD, FAAD, will become the publication’s second editor, succeeding founding editor Brett Sloan, MD, FAAD.

In this exclusive interview, DermWorld Academy Insider spoke with Dr. Van Voorhees about what initially drew her to the position and why she believes she will be a successful editor.

DermWorld: What drew you to apply for the position originally?

Dr. Van Voorhees: I think that case reports and case series represent the fun in the dermatological literature. We all struggle with challenging cases in our practices — either to diagnose or to treat. I see this journal as the place where we get to share our successes and frustrations with each other and help one another come up with good ideas for our patients.

DermWorld: What experience and talents do you bring to the position?

Dr. Van Voorhees: As someone who has published many papers over the years, I certainly bring to this position my respect for and understanding of the dermatological literature. Hopefully I can also bring to this position some of the fun and creativity that I employed in my efforts as the Medical Editor of Dermatology World, so that the seriousness of unique therapies or novel cases can be balanced with some levity and enjoyment.

DermWorld: What will be your editorial philosophy during your tenure as editor?

Dr. Van Voorhees: First and foremost, I am planning to maintain the standard of excellence achieved by Dr. Sloan and Dr. Anadkat over the past 10 years. They have left big shoes to fill! I am also going to try to interject some playful aspects to reading this journal, so that we as dermatologists get to enjoy the sharing of our cases.