Off the Cuff: So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Goodbye

I had read Dr. Arthur Epstein in Optometric Physician for a couple years before I met him in person. From his weekly editorials, I recognized him immediately when he came to speak at our state association meeting in Sedona, AZ. Speaking to him for the first time felt so familiar and comfortable; it was like I already knew him. In a way, Optometric Physician contributed to what became the 19 years Arthur and I had together.

When Arthur created Optometric Physician, it was the first emailed newsletter, or what he liked to call e-journal, and was incredibly novel at the time. Its very name struck the tone by having the audacity to refer to ourselves as physicians. For literal decades, Dr. Epstein churned out weekly editorials, some being controversial, some being educational, some being little snapshots of his life, but all were to challenge our thinking and to push the profession forward by keeping our minds open to what we could and have become.

All this to say, the time has come to pass the torch to maintain the Optometric Physician legacy. Beginning in the new year, my and Arthur’s associate and protégé, Dr. Cory Lappin, will become the new chief medical editor. Dr. Lappin has moved back to Ohio, will be opening his own clinic, and will steer Optometric Physician into a new era as his speaking and writing career develops and grows with his practice and industry relationships.

(Insert crescendoing Oscar speech walkoff music here) I want to thank Jill Gallagher and Lynne O’Connor at Review of Optometry, who put together the publication each week. Also, big thanks to Mike Hoster, who respected Dr. Epstein and the history of the publication to keep it going after all the changes caused by Arthur’s passing.

I sincerely thank Bausch + Lomb’s unwavering industry support of me and Optometric Physician over the last two years. B+L’s support was truly the lifeblood that kept OP alive.

Most importantly, though, I thank you, the amazing weekly readers of Optometric Physician. Your ongoing loyalty, kindness and comments were incredibly inspiring, and kept me writing and pushing myself to create content each week.

I wish you all very happy holidays. I end this final editorial with how Arthur used to like to sign off on some of his editorials—an homage to Rear Admiral Dr. W. David Sullins, Jr., who did the same. GBA

Shannon L. Steinhäuser, OD, MS, FAAO - Chief Medical Editor

ssteinhauser@gmail.com