The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) announced the appointment of Sue S. Yom, MD, PhD, FASTRO, as Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics (Red Journal), ASTRO’s flagship scientific journal. Dr. Yom, who is Vice Chair and Distinguished Professor of Radiation Oncology as well as Professor of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco, will begin her 5-year term on January 1, 2022.
Sue S. Yom, MD, PhD, FASTRO
A long-time member of the Red Journal editorial team and currently Deputy Editor, Dr. Yom developed multiple concepts for the publication, such as a structured peer-review format, an option for authors to submit scientific letters, and content features (including Gray Zone clinical case studies and the Statistics for the People section and podcast). She also is an accomplished researcher who has authored or coauthored more than 250 published books, chapters, and journal articles.
When she begins her term, Dr. Yom will be the second female Editor-in-Chief of a major journal in the radiologic and imaging sciences. The Red Journal was ranked 10 of 134 journals in the Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, & Medical Imaging category in the most recent Web of Science Group Journal Citation Report. Only one of the top 10 journals in this category is currently led by a female Editor-in-Chief.
Expanding Diversity
Dr. Yom will succeed Anthony Zietman, MD, FASTRO, who has served as Editor-in-Chief since 2012. Previously with Dr. Zietman, Dr. Yom worked to diversify the journal’s editorial board and reach parity with the specialty on female, international, and underrepresented minority representation. Women now constitute 40% of the journal’s editorial board members.
Anthony Zietman, MD, FASTRO
“We made a very conscious decision to recruit the best early and mid-career scientists into editorial positions, especially those who might be traditionally overlooked for leadership roles,” Dr. Yom -explained.
A dedicated educator and mentor, Dr. Yom established the journal’s Resident Peer Review Training program, which has graduated three classes of residents. “I believe our journals have a unique, critical role to play in mentoring and developing the next generation of researchers and leaders in radiation oncology,” she said.
Above all, Dr. Yom sees the journal as a critically important channel to advance novel science and practice-changing clinical trials affecting radiation oncology, in addition to providing research and commentary on social imperatives such as disparities, global health, education, and medical ethics. “Since my time in residency, I cannot recall a time I have been away from the Red Journal,” she said. “It has been my go-to source of education, understanding of events in our field, and inspiration to do more for the profession. Medicine is a well of technological and scientific marvels, as well as ethical and moral questions that go to the heart of how we see and shape our society. These will remain our core issues at the Red Journal.”
