Donald J. DiPette, MD, FACP, FAHA, Appointed Editor-in-Chief of the Southern Medical Journal
The Southern Medical Association (SMA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Donald J. DiPette, MD, FACP, FAHA, as Editor-in-Chief of the Southern Medical Journal (SMJ). As Editor-in-Chief, Dr. DiPette will oversee all aspects of the journal’s publication and has assumed these duties following the retirement of Steven Baldwin, MD, MBA, who served as SMJ Editor-in-Chief beginning in 2020.
Dr. DiPette is the Health Sciences Distinguished Professor at the University of South Carolina and previously served as Dean of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Columbia. A long-standing leader within the Southern Medical Association, he served as SMA President from 2017–2018 and most recently as Co-Chair of SMA’s Fundraising and Endowment Committee. His deep connection to the Southern Medical Journal includes service as a manuscript reviewer since 2014 and most recently as Associate Editor.
“It is a great honor to be selected to serve as Editor-in-Chief of the Southern Medical Journal,” said Dr. DiPette. “The SMJ has a long-standing reputation for delivering clinically relevant, practice-informed content that supports healthcare professionals across a wide range of specialties and professional backgrounds. The strength of the Journal lies in the dedication and expertise of the professionals who support its editorial and peer-review efforts, working together to uphold the highest standards of quality and integrity for authors and readers alike. I am truly excited for the opportunity to build upon this strong foundation and continue advancing the mission of the SMJ.”
Dr. DiPette also expressed his appreciation for the leadership of his predecessor. “I would like to sincerely thank Dr. Steven Baldwin for his outstanding service as Editor-in-Chief,” he added. “Dr. Baldwin’s stewardship, vision, and commitment to excellence have strengthened the Journal and positioned it well for continued growth. I am grateful for his contributions and leadership.”
In addition to his academic and SMA leadership roles, Dr. DiPette is internationally recognized for his work in hypertension and cardiovascular disease. He has held numerous senior academic and clinical leadership positions and is actively engaged in global health initiatives focused on hypertension prevention and treatment. Dr. DiPette has authored more than 180 peer-reviewed publications and has received multiple honors for his contributions to hypertension research and global health implementation.
