We are pleased to announce that Prof. Dr. Giustino Varrassi has been appointed Editor-in-Chief of Clinics and Practice (ISSN: 2039-7283). We look forward to his contribution to the continued success of the journal.

Prof. Dr. Giustino Varrassi has spent all his life serving public institutions, first at the University of Roma and then at the University of L'Aquila (Italy). He started his academic career as a researcher at Yeshiva University, at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York (USA). For a large part of his scientific life, his main interest has been pain medicine and also investigating the social aspects of pain in patients. In his retirement as Full Professor and Chairman of the Department of Anesthesia, he has re-discovered his old passion: publications and the diffusion of scientific information.

The following is a short Q&A with Prof. Dr. Giustino Varrassi, who shared his vision for the journal with us, as well as his views of the research area and open access publishing:

1. What appealed to you about the journal that made you want to take the role as its Editor-in-Chief?
I found Clinics and Practice a very appealing journal, covering all the aspects of medicine, and not only my specialty of anesthesia, intensive care and pain medicine. Undoubtedly, it has great potential for expansion, especially if managed by enthusiastic people working for an important publisher. So, with this hope, I accepted the kind, stimulating and challenging invitation.

2. What is your vision for the journal?
As I said, this journal should aim to present the science that is behind any clinical aspect of the medical practice, in the main interest of the patients. It should provide the most updated information that is able to help physicians to do better in their everyday activities.

3. What does the future of this field of research look like?
Medicine evolves every day. The results are clearly shown by the significant increase in life expectancy, especially in the last decades. Many pathologies have been discovered and cured, including some of the most important genetic diseases. There is only one possible explanation for that: research and publication of the results of the research. Clinics and Practice will contribute to this process of evolution.

4. What do you think of the development of Open Access in the publishing field?
The importance of Open Access to science is of paramount importance. Science is a common propriety, without borders or limitations. Any publisher that has decided to implement Open Access in their journal should be applauded.

We wish Prof. Dr. Giustino Varrassi every success in his new position, and we look forward to his contributions to the journal.