The Impact Factor is a measure of the frequency with which articles published in the previous two years are cited and is commonly used to rank the significance of journals within their fields.
Particularly exciting is that Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CMGH), AGA’s basic and translational open-access journal, has received its first Impact Factor—7.076—placing it 15th in a field of 88 journals in gastroenterology and hepatology, and second among non-clinical journals in that topic area. This outstanding debut position is a testament to the rigor and dedication of the journal’s founding editors Jerrold Turner, MD, PhD, AGAF, Jim Goldenring, MD, PhD, AGAF, Rebecca Wells, MD, AGAF, Maria Rescigno, Ph.D. and managing editor Lindsey Brounstein. Dr. Turner, his board and many others worked tirelessly to publish only the highest quality basic and translational digestive biology research. This commitment has been upheld by the current co-editors-in-chief, Michael Pack, MD, and Klaus Kaestner, PhD, MS, and their board of editors.
Dr. Turner reflected, “At its inception, Jim, Becky and I envisioned an author- and reader-friendly forum for the best translational and basic gastroenterology and hepatology research. The rapidity with which CMGH has grown reflects the intense need for such a venue and the contributions of authors, reviewers and readers who were willing to “bet” on the journal. Although impact factor is an imperfect measure, the exceptional performance of CMGH is an objective indicator that the journal is rigorous, widely read and relevant. We are confident that CMGH will continue to grow and flourish under the guidance of Drs. Pack and Kaestner.
Drs. Pack and Kaestner add “We and our associate editors Alison Simmons, Thomas Luedde and Jonathan Katz are extremely grateful to the prior CMGH board of editors for making CMGH an impactful platform for the rapid dissemination of high-quality peer-reviewed research in our field of digestive organ biology and disease. Going forward, we will do our utmost to maintain and possibly even improve the reach and impact of CMGH. As we celebrate the remarkable success and achievement of CMGH, we remind our readers, contributors, reviewers and friends that all credit goes to Jerry, Rebecca, Jim and Maria. Thank you!”
Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CGH), AGA’s clinically focused journal, also performed well. In fact, CGH hit its highest-ever Impact Factor at 8.549, ranking 10th in the field. Fasiha Kanwal, MD, MSHS, editor-in-chief of CGH, said “We are delighted that CGH remains in a strong position in the top 10 GI journals in terms of Impact Factor. CGH’s Impact Factor rose from 7.683 in 2017 to 7.958 in 2018 to 8.549 in 2019 (11.3 percentage point increase). On behalf of the CGH board of editors, I want to extend a warm and most heartfelt thanks to our authors, reviewers and readers! We would not have been able to achieve this milestone without your support, contributions and the faith that you place in us.”
Gastroenterology, AGA’s flagship journal, received an Impact Factor of 17.373, retaining its position among an elite group of journals focused on publishing original research spanning basic to clinical fields in gastroenterology and hepatology. Co-Editors-in-Chief Peek and Corley remark “We would like to thank our entire board of editors and reviewers, as well as the incredible AGA editorial staff, for their exceptional work as we continue to publish articles and reviews of outstanding quality that are widely used by our readership. It is an honor to be part of such a remarkable team.”
AGA congratulates and thanks the boards of all three journals for their editorial leadership. We also thank our authors, readers and reviewers for their continued support of AGA’s journals. We look forward to continuing to push the envelope in scientific publishing in the upcoming year.
