press release

JFMS rewards star performers

To celebrate its 10th anniversary and the launch of its new clinical issues, the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (JFMS) presented Star Awards to contributors in three categories: Most downloaded JFMS paper, most cited JFMS paper, and most published author. Awards were presented in the Hyatt Hotel, Birmingham on April 2 by the JFMS editor, Dr Andy Sparkes.

‘The popularity of JFMS among members of the profession is largely due to the high quality of papers from its contributors - we are very grateful for their continuing support in the next development of the journal,’ said Claire Bessant, Chief Executive of the Feline Advisory Bureau and the European Society of Feline Medicine, publishers of JFMS.

Most downloaded paper
A two part paper by Polly Taylor and Sheila Robertson had combined downloads of 5744.

‘Delighted to receive this award! I must confess it came as a complete surprise - but having been an advocate for proper pain management in cats for more than 20 years I am so pleased - both that there has been so much interest, and also to have been able to spread the word through JFMS.’ 
Dr Polly Taylor

Dr Polly Taylor is a freelance consultant in anaesthesia, with work ranging from clinical anaesthetic services and teaching to drug registration and research. She has been chief of anaesthesia at the Animal Health Trust, Newmarket and University Lecturer in anaesthesia at the Cambridge University Veterinary School. She became a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia in 1995 and was founding President of the College. Awarded the 1997 UK Equestrian Outstanding Scientific Achievement Award and BSAVA Simon Award in 2001.

‘In the past people were not sure what the signs of pain in cats were and they were left undertreated. Historically people have also been afraid of drug related side-effects in this species, but now many of those fears have been dispelled. I am really pleased that we helped spread some of this information and because people caring for cats have embraced pain management passionately, I am sure many cats would thank us all if they could.’
Dr Sheilah Robertson

Dr Sheilah Robertson works in the anaesthesia and pain management department at the University of Florida. She spent a year as a surgery resident at Bristol University before pursuing specialisation in anaesthesia. She is board certified by both the European and American Colleges of Veterinary Anesthesia and is a past-president of the ACVA. She is certified in small animal acupuncture by the Chi Institute of traditional Chinese veterinary medicine.

Most published contributor
The run away winner of this category was Richard Malik, Valentine Charlton Feline Specialist, Centre for  Veterinary Education, The University of Sydney, with 13 papers, 18 case reports, two letters, five diagnosis quizzes, two conference proceedings, one editorial and one ECG quiz. He is also an author in the eighth most downloaded paper (1667 downloads).

Dr Malik passed his FACVSc in Medicine of Cats in 1991 and is a registered specialist in feline medicine. Although interested in all facets of cat medicine, he is particularly interested in infectious diseases, neurology and cardiology.  He is also a devoted Devon Rex owner!

Richard says that he does do not actually like scientific writing per se, and has been berated for writing too conversationally. He sees it more like writing a story. ‘For me case reports reveal so much: how we think, why we work up cases the way we do, and what drugs we use. Most importantly, they speak to what influences the processes of diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision making. Most authors tend to sanitise what they write, puttying over inconsistencies.  They present things in the most favourable light. But I like the whole story, the chronology with mistakes, warts and all. It is a truism that we learn as much, or more, from our mistakes than our triumphs.’

Most cited paper
The paper entitled  ‘Prevalence of infectious diseases in feral cats in Northern Florida’ by Lurina, Levy, Lappin, Breitschwerdt, Legendre, Hernandez, Gorman and Lee has received 34 citations to date.

The JFMS Star Award goes to the corresponding author of the paper Dr Julie Levy, professor in Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida. Dr Levy's research and clinical interests centre on feline infectious diseases, neonatal kitten health, humane alternatives for cat population control, and immunocontraceptive vaccines for cats. She is the recipient of the Carl J Norden-Pfizer Distinguished Teacher Award, Outstanding Woman Veterinarian of the Year, and the European Society of Feline Medicine Award for Outstanding Contributions in the Field of Feline Medicine.

Papers are downloadable from www.elsevier.com/locate/jfms and information on membership of ESFM, which includes monthly issues of JFMS can be found on  www.fabcats.org/esfm.

 Ends                                       April 6, 2009

For further details contact Karen Bessant, FAB press officer on telephone 01380 827 142, kbessant@aol.com or from the FAB headquarters on 0870 742 2278.

Attached file shows Sheilah Roberston receiving her award.