It was his hope to be able to publish clinician and patient education materials in a way he had previously visualized a decade before. Unfortunately, the publisher then did not allow the author control over the layout and design of the works.
There was a new imperative in Florida, in 1988, as a result of a change in statutes that allowed nurse practitioners to practice under protocols with a supervising physician. Anni Lanigan and Matt Cohen thought they could write protocols to help others communicate about those clinical issues important in a primary care practice. A letter was sent to all of the nurse practitioners licensed in Florida about the book. Initially, a small response came from the mailing. But over time, orders for the book began to trickle in from other states, too. This reflected changing licensure in other states and a lot of networking between nurse practitioners everywhere. Sunbelt Medical Publishers did only occasional and very modest advertising in journals.
Dr. Cohen and his wife and two children operated the business out of their family room. Soon the demand for protocol books increased and a second edition and then second edition revised followed. There have been many printings. Following Anni Lanigan's idea that an inexpensive form be produced for students, versions have usually been printed in both a cheaper softcover edition and a more expensive three-ring binder edition. Currently Sunbelt sells four of the latter for every one of the former.
In 1994, PB & Associates of Houston, Texas was contracted to provide all three protocol titles in an electronic format. More specifically as document files for each of the then commonly used word processing programs. Unfortunately, the contract had to be dissolved because of non compliance with the terms. Sunbelt has again made available the protocols in electronic format for clinicians.
Sunbelt Medical Publishers, Inc. (SMP, Inc.) is now the publisher. It remains family owned. The Cohen kids are now adults pursuing other interests and studies. Our staff include only part-time employees each with different functions.
Matthew Cohen, M. D., practices family medicine in Tallahassee, Florida. In his spare time he writes and edits and contributes to operating SMP, Inc.
Please use the 'back' function of your browser to return to the previous page.
All content not under existing copyright (including images and design) is copyright 1998 Technology Transfer Associates, Inc.