We've Been Discovered

Chronicle Guidance Publications, located here in the upstate New York hamlet of Moravia, south of Syracuse, has published a complete description of what medical writers do for a living. Chronicle Guidance Brief 57 outlines the history of our profession, the training required, working conditions, means of entry, hours and wages, professional societies, and future outlook. Published in March, the four-page document is based in part on interviews with Melanie Fridl Ross, an AMWA member from Florida.

Reading this brief would be a great place to start if you're curious about this field, or would like to tell other people about it.

A link to the brief, in PDF format, can be found in the Helpful Links section of this blog. However, this PDF is tricky. Its file properties have been modified so you can view it on your computer screen, and send it over the Internet, but you cannot print it out. So this particular description of our profession is, quite literally, unprintable!

New Article in Science Magazine

Be sure to check out the new, feature-length article on medical writing by Sarah Webb in the June issue of Science. It's a great overview of our field, told from the perspective of people who are in it.

You will find a link to the article in the lower right-hand column of this blog.

Two New Resources

I just learned about two totally new resources for upstate New Yorkers who are interested in the medical communications field.

One is the International Society for Medical Publication Professionals (ISMPP).

The other is The International Publication Planning Association (TIPPA).

I found out about them through an electronic discussion list sponsored by the American Medical Writers Association. Both are nonprofit organizations dedicated primarily to publishing in the medical field.

I'll add these URLs to the list of links at the right hand side of this blog, where they'll stay for easy access.

Enjoy!

Upstate Medical Writers Will Hold Networking Lunch


“Careers in Medical Communication” will be the topic of an informal networking lunch to be held in downtown Syracuse, New York on Tuesday, Sept. 11. The event is co-sponsored by the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) and the Office of Public and Media Relations at SUNY Upstate Medical University.

Don Harting, a member of AMWA’s Empire State-Metro New York chapter, will present the results of a national salary survey. The survey indicates that job opportunities in the medical writing and editing field are numerous, diverse, challenging, and rewarding. A Q&A session hosted by a panel of local AMWA members will follow the presentation.

This educational event will be of interest to people who are curious about the field, people who are new to the field, and people who want to transfer to a different part of the field. High school and college guidance counselors, as well as human resources development professionals who work with adults, will also benefit.

The informal lunch will be held in the Doust Board Room adjoining the cafeteria atop the new section of Weiskotten Hall, on the Upstate Medical University campus. It will begin at noon and end at 1:30 p.m. Attendees may bring their own lunch or buy lunch in the cafeteria. They should enter Weiskotten Hall from the Irving Avenue entrance, then take the elevator to the top floor. Validated parking is available in the SUNY Upstate Medical University garage on Adams Street.

Founded in 1940, AMWA is a nonprofit professional association dedicated to promoting excellence in medical communication. Headquartered in Maryland, the association brings together communicators and educators engaged in the medical or allied health professions and sciences throughout the world.

Founded in 1834, SUNY Upstate Medical University is the second-oldest medical school in New York. Dedicated to training physicians to practice medicine at its best, the university also offers a full line of degree programs for researchers, nurses, physical therapists, and allied health professionals.

For updates about the luncheon, subscribe to the RSS feed on the Upstate Medical Writer blog.

Hope to see you there!