With much sadness, we announce the passing, August 4, 2009, of Sonia Gruson, The Journal’s formidable managing editor, who served energetically from 1978 to 1994.
During her 16-year tenure Sonia built a momentum that is felt today. From her debut in 1978 she contributed to good “chemistry” that increasingly attracted high quality clinical research and that was beginning to pay off in more manuscript submissions, growing circulation, and escalating citation rates. True to the spirit of fostering a Canadian international journal and with a penchant for world travel, Sonia won respect and loyalty of international rheumatology colleagues and the affection of many members of the editorial board from Europe to the Americas.
Through her tight connections to the mainstream North American press she implemented many savvy business practices. Based in Toronto, Sonia soon spearheaded a move to separate offices and oversaw the expansion of publication from 4 to 12 issues a year.
While she was an energetic and shameless booster of J Rheum at office and ACR meetings, authors and reviewers will also recall Mrs. Gruson’s tenacity in “coaxing” delivery of overdue reviews and tardy page proofs. A visit to her office was telling: a coffee mug announced “no bull” and her wall poster proclaimed Canadian Feminist Nellie McClung’s motto: “Never retract, never explain, never apologize; get things done and let them howl.”
Although small in stature Sonia had a big reputation for her “tough” style: the word was you wouldn’t last long working for her. But this was inaccurate: when the right person came along, she lost no time in putting them to work for The Journal for the long term. Sonia was a person of clarity; she was also caring, thoughtful, and generous.
Sonia’s legacy was her creation of a family atmosphere at The Journal. She guided and inspired everyone to a better place in Medical Journalism. No nonsense here!
In 1995 Sonia retired to Vancouver, Canada, where she is survived by her devoted daughter, Dr. Valerie Gruson.