To the Editor: When Teddye Clayton retired after nearly three decades as managing editor, I sat down at her desk the next day with some trepidation. Then the phone rang, and it was John. After some warm words of welcome, we began to work—discussing a promising manuscript and galleys for the upcoming issue. If he had any doubts about his new managing editor, I did not hear them in his voice—either that day or in the coming months. He was relentlessly encouraging and supportive, his enthusiasm was contagious, and his energy unflagging. Working with John gave one the sense that one could prevail over any challenge.

Exactly two years later, we went live with Manuscript Central. We closed the door on 75 shelf-feet of bulging folders and began to handle all editorial procedures online. The transformation would not have been successful—or even possible—without John's commitment. I came to immensely appreciate his openness to change and his readiness to adapt to achieve the best outcomes. Two decades of his work habits had to change overnight, as he learned to navigate the online system one click at a time. John championed the new system because he knew that with it we could better serve our authors by shortening time to publication and we could also make the process easier for our hard-working reviewers. And these improvements would ultimately benefit patients.

This year, as John and Howard Goldman have collaborated on the editorial transition, I've marveled at still other qualities—John's generosity and grace. I will miss working with him.

Ms. Gartner, who has been on the staff of the journal since 1991, has been managing editor since 2000.