Marshfield Clinic researcher named editor of peer-reviewed agricultural safety, health journal

The world’s leading journal for peer-reviewed agricultural safety and health research has named a new editor-in-chief.

Jeffrey VanWormer, Ph.D., has moved into the top position at the Journal of Agromedicine, succeeding Matthew Keifer, M.D., who led the journal from 2011 until this spring.

VanWormer, an epidemiologist, is a senior scientist and director of the Center for Clinical Epidemiology & Population Health at Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, Marshfield, Wis. His research interests are in the primary prevention of chronic diseases, with a particular focus on community-level surveillance and lifestyle interventions.

VanWormer is the fourth editor-in-chief in the history of the Journal of Agromedicine, following Stanley Schuman, M.D., Steven Kirkhorn, M.D., and Keifer.

“Following in the footsteps of Dr. Matthew Keifer and decades of sound editorial leadership is a humbling responsibility, but I am honored to serve as the next editor-in-chief of the Journal of Agromedicine,” VanWormer said. “Alongside the editorial team, our goal is to maintain the journal’s legacy of being a trusted, global resource in disseminating the science of agricultural health and safety.”

Joining VanWormer on the expanded Journal of Agromedicine editorial team is new Deputy Editor Jakob Hanschu, M.A., lead research specialist, National Farm Medicine Center, Marshfield Clinic Research Institute. Hanschu is trained as a social scientist in both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. He looks forward to assisting VanWormer with journal operations and maintaining the high-quality research standards of the Journal of Agromedicine.

VanWormer and Hanschu join Senior Associate Editors Keifer and Barbara Lee, Ph.D.; Editorial Specialist Marie Fleisner; and Managing Editor Scott Heiberger, M.S.

VanWormer has led many applied health promotion and disparities projects in his 15 years at Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, focusing on agricultural injuries, obesity, medication use and rural factors, among others. VanWormer is also an investigator member of several national and regional research consortiums, including the Health Care Systems Research Network, the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Network, and the University of Wisconsin’s Institute for Clinical and Translational Research. Prior to his position in Marshfield, VanWormer directed the Heart of New Ulm Project, a successful initiative led by the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation to prevent cardiovascular disease in rural Minnesota.

The Journal of Agromedicine, established in 1994, publishes quarterly on translational research, reports and editorials related to agricultural health, safety and medicine. It has been edited since 2004 by scientists and staff of the National Farm Medicine Center, Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, and receives philanthropic support through the Auction of Champions. It is the only journal in its field with an Impact Factor (1.6). The journal is published by Taylor and Francis.