Dear Community colleagues,
Last week I shared the news that Cochrane’s Editor in Chief, David Tovey, needed to undergo urgent coronary bypass surgery.
I’m pleased to pass on that David’s surgery took place on Monday and has gone well. We have heard that David is resting comfortably in hospital, and the prognosis is good for a full recovery.
David is a hugely respected and admired colleague, and our thoughts continue to be with him, and his family, in the coming days and weeks. Many of you, of course, will want to send personal messages and well-wishes to David directly; please may we ask that you do this through David’s Executive Assistant, Hilary Simmonds, who will ensure he receives them all in due course.
As you will appreciate, this means that David will be on leave for at least the next three months.
Since last week we have been working to put in place interim arrangements to cover his absence. David’s Deputy, Karla Soares-Weiser, will be Acting Editor in Chief and together with Cochrane’s Senior Management Team and the Central Editorial Team have finalized the changes to principal editorial and other project management and accountabilities. Here is an overview of these key areas together with the designated project lead, who can provide further information:
- CRG Structure and Function Review: Karla Soares-Weiser and Martin Burton.
- Content Strategy: Karla Soares-Weiser and Chris Champion.
- Enhanced Cochrane Library: Mark Wilson and Harriet MacLehose.
- Policy Development: Karla Soares-Weiser and Harriet MacLehose.
- CEU screening of reviews: Toby Lasserson.
- Methods coordination: Jackie Chandler and Miranda Cumpston.
- Cochrane Reviews complaints and issues: Karla Soares-Weiser.
- Review Support Programme and COI Audit and Funding Arbiter Support: Ruth Foxlee.
- Project Transform Executive and Covidence Project Board: Chris Champion.
- KT working project/PLS project: Julie Wood.
Furthermore, should you have any questions or concerns in regards to a specific piece of work or project not addressed above, please feel free to email Hilary Simmonds and we will respond as swiftly as possible.
We will keep you informed as to David’s recovery over the coming weeks, and may I extend my personal thanks and gratitude for your continued support during this time.
With my very best wishes
Mark
Mark G. Wilson
Chief Executive Officer