From CMJ to CMAJ

CMAJ breaks a 6-year tradition with its new editorial fellow. Dr. Aleksandra (Saša) Mišak is the first fellow from abroad and the first with substantial editorial experience.

Figure. Mišak: A balancing act between cultures and languages. Photo by: Barbara Sibbald

Mišak has been a manuscript editor at the Croatian Medical Journal in Zagreb, Croatia, since 2000. The English-language general medical journal is the country's largest, printing 2000 copies every second month.

The melding of medicine and language is ideal for Mišak, who is pursuing a doctorate in language communication and cognitive neuroscience. “I thought it would be impossible to combine the two,” she says.

CMJ co-editor Dr. Ana Marusic recommended Mišak for the year-long CMAJ editorial fellowship, “so we can increase the quality of what we do,” says Mišak.

As a resident of a former Communist country that only recently emerged from war (1991–1995), Mišak also brings a unique perspective to the journal.

So far, she says the pace at CMAJ is more intense than home as she takes on new challenges, such as manuscript assessment. She's also been charged with looking after the Holiday Review issue. “Sometimes there's a thin line between being brave and being crazy. I'm hoping for the best,” she laughs.

The fellow, who acts as an associate scientific editor, spends a year reviewing submissions, corresponding with authors and working closely with the senior editorial team to develop clinical and editorial content.

Applications for the 2005 editorial fellowship must be received by Dec. 15, 2004 (www.cmaj.ca/misc/fellowship.shtml). — Barbara Sibbald, CMAJ