Editor’s Page: A Twilight Zone-caliber Tradition

I’m a sucker for traditions. Those set-your-clock-to-it moments you look forward to all year. For me, the Fourth of July “Twilight Zone” marathon is one of the most cherished traditions there is. Every year for past two-decades plus, I’ve celebrated America’s Independence by parking myself on my living room couch — the model of which has changed three times since the tradition began — tuned into the Syfy channel and spent hour after hour in a trance rewatching classics like “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street,” “To Serve Man,” and “Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up?” (I guess you can say I have a thing for the alien-centered episodes, huh?)

For sustenance during these lengthy Twilight Zone binges, I’ll order excessive amounts of Chinese food to see me through my travels into a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. These days, familial responsibilities like parades and fireworks, somewhat limit my time in that wondrous land of imagination, but you can bet your life I manage to get at least a few hours of Rod Serling and Vegetable Mei Fun in on the Fourth. Plus, I DVR the whole damn thing for later viewing.

Of course, it takes a lot of time and effort for a tradition to take root. Cherished rituals — like my annual Twilight Zone/Chinese food benders — are a lot like making new friends after you have kids. It always sounds nice in theory, but after a while maintaining them becomes a chore.

Speaking of traditions, this year marks the 15th edition of this magazine’s OR Excellence Awards. Although the section has changed and evolved in that timeframe — we added the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion category just a few years ago — the commitment to publishing it has never wavered. The fact that our awards issue has lasted this long is a testament to the importance of the subject matter, and the appreciation a little bit of recognition generates for an under-the-radar group of providers who aren’t praised nearly enough for their efforts.

I can assure you that this tradition is anything but a chore for the team that puts together this issue each year. Personally, I look forward to the OR Excellence Awards issue almost as much as my annual date with Mr. Serling and his strange, strange mind. And I know the editorial team shares my sentiments.

To hear the passion in the winners’ voices as you describe in detail your creative patient satisfaction hacks, your airtight infection-prevention protocols and your innovative pain control regimens is a truly rewarding endeavor. It’s a privilege to share your stories and highlight your efforts.

In addition to the special awards section of the magazine, we’ll honor and celebrate the winners again at an event in the near future. In the meantime, please join me in celebrating this year’s class of OR Excellence Award winners.

And remember, it’s never too early to start thinking about which of the many projects and initiatives you’d like to highlight in your nominations for next year’s awards. OSM