We Have a Problem

October 2025 | Vol. 69, No. 3
Written by Joseph Zawisza, DO

In October 2024, I wrote in this very column that we were reinventing the JPOMA after a hiatus. From then on, it was going to be delivered in a digital format, with a new layout, new features, and a new presentation style. The Publications Committee had requested contributions from our members. Furthermore, all of this was set to happen successfully, despite JPOMA having not published an issue in almost a year, and the previous committee chair had passed away.

That was a year ago. With any new (or renewed, as the case may be) undertaking, there is always a fear that it may be doomed from the start. As physicians, we have all taken on new projects and adventures in our lives that we worried might not work out. Remember the first day of medical school?  Residency? And most frightening of all, your first day as an attending physician, when there was no safety net.

As expected, the first issue required significant contributions from the committee members. Nevertheless, it was published, and only a few glitches arose, which we were able to resolve quickly. As a bonus, for the first time in JPOMA’s history, we were able to determine how many members were reading the journal and which articles they were engaging with.

October came and went. We patted ourselves on the back for a successful publication, and only a few minutes later, we began working on the second digital issue, scheduled for publication a few months later. After all, one success is good luck, but two successes constitute a tradition. I am now pleased to report confidently that you are currently reading the fourth digital issue of JPOMA!

So, you are probably asking at this point: what is the problem? Well, it’s a fantastic problem to have. Our members are not only reading the Journal, but they are contributing to it! We have gone from having to create articles to having to rank which ones to include in a particular issue due to space considerations and the length of the publication. We are receiving original research pieces and creative writing. Our members are sending in opinion and research-based pieces alike that are helpful to other physicians and their patients. This is exactly what we wanted to achieve!

Now, dear readers, please do not interpret this to mean that we have too many submissions or that I am discouraging further contributions. On the contrary, I’m asking for more. The reality is that, with all the problems we face in our lives, this is one of those paradoxes where taking away work actually creates problems. Please keep those submissions coming! We’re looking for research, vignettes, academic and business articles, advocacy, and creative pieces of any sort. Not sure what category your submission may fall into? Not a problem. Write it anyway and send it in; we’ll figure it out for you!

While I am quite pleased with how successful the first four issues have been, I alone do not deserve the credit. This truly is a team effort, and as with any team, every member plays an important role. Sadly for us, but happily for them, our team has seen the departure of two members this year. Ted Eisenberg, DO, has retired from the JPOMA after a long tenure of contributions and ideas. Many of the business pieces were inspired by Dr. Eisenberg, and the vignettes that you enjoy can be attributed to him. Brenda Dill, who, as the Senior Director of Education and Communications, was the person who made the ideas that came out of physicians’ brains (and also contributed many great ideas herself) become a reality, took a position with the Pennsylvania College of Emergency Physicians earlier this year and is doing quite well. Although this is a tribute to Dr. Eisenberg and Ms. Dill, I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge that you may not have been aware of the transition, because POMA’s James Eirkson seamlessly transitioned into the role of Director of Communications. Thank you, James!

Thank you, Brenda, for the great partnership we shared in POMA Communications! And Dr. Eisenberg, although I didn’t work as closely with you, I thank you for all your contributions to the JPOMA over many years. I really enjoyed working with you, and I’m given to understand that you turned out to be an “all right” surgeon as well!

Enjoy the work of our team and our members!