Chapter News

Are you looking to meet medical communicators in your local area? Local networking is one of the best things about AMWA, and a great opportunity to connect, share and learn. It’s easy to organize a local event, and the chapter board can help make your event a success. Here’s how:

1. Choose a date and time, allowing at least 3 weeks for planning;
   • Weekdays after work usually allow for more members to attend and make it easier to find a location that is conducive to conversation.
2. Choose a location
   • Suggestions: Breweries or brewpubs with areas to accommodate large groups; restaurants with private dining areas
     • Many restaurants with private dining areas will charge a deposit to use the room, but will subtract bar purchases from the deposits.
3. Send invitations at least 2 weeks before event
   • Provide information to chapter secretary about the event to have an invite sent to the entire membership
   • Send personalized invitations to AMWA members in local area (list available from chapter secretary upon request) AND/OR local non-AMWA member contacts at area universities or companies
4. Host event
   • Provide sign-in sheet (available from chapter secretary) to collect names and membership status of attendees.
   • Purchase appetizers (and non-alcoholic beverages, at your discretion) for attendees. Attendees must purchase their own alcoholic beverage. Save your receipt for reimbursement!
5. Submit information to SE-AMWA leadership
   • Provide a copy of the event sign-in to the president-elect
   • Provide a copy of the refreshment receipt to the treasurer. Please also provide an address for mailing your reimbursement check.

Are you looking for a way to meet other Chapter members and build your reputation as a medical writer? Do you appreciate Chapter events and want to help make them happen?

Consider volunteering for our Chapter Board of Directors! Our Chapter runs on volunteers and we need a new President-Elect for the 2022-2023 term. We also need volunteers to help with networking events, webinars, and more.

Contact amwa.southeastchapter@gmail.com if you are interested and/or have questions.

Thank you for your consideration!

The AMWA Southeast Chapter is proud to be a sponsor of the AMWA 2022 Southeast Regional Conference that will take place June 13 and 14 at the Luminary Hotel & Co., Autograph Collection in Fort Myers, Florida. The program line-up includes educational sessions on:

• Developing a Clinical Evaluation Strategy with an Eye to Regulatory and Quality Requirements
• Leveraging Public Relations in Medical Communications
• Resources for Researching Medical Devices Using Publicly Available Databases
• Communicating Science to the Public
• Think Like an Editor: Improving Document Quality for Regulatory Submissions

The popular AMWA Freelance Jam Sessions moderated by Brian Bass, MWC are also offered.  These sessions provide a supportive space for freelancers to share their experiences and concerns with other Early-career or Seasoned freelancers.  The conference also features the highly rated, intensive, small group, interactive workshops that are a staple of AMWA conferences:

• Strategies for Persuasive Writing, Susan Aiello, DVM, ELS
• Advanced Writing, Susan Aiello, DVM, ELS
• Regulations: What does a Medical Writer Need to Know?, Karen Bannick McQuoid, MA, RAC, FRAPS

 MedWrite Talks (reminiscent of the popular TED Talks): Best practices for client interaction, Small Business Survival Skills: Your Way to Success, It’s All In How You Pivot, Reminders of Life Lessons from the Barnyard

For full details, check out the conference brochure.

Register now to attend.

The AMWA Northern California (NorCal) Chapter is hosting a full-day virtual Pacific Coast Conference on Friday, May 6th. They have an exciting lineup that includes:

• A keynote lecture on mRNA Vaccine Development by Gary Witherall,  MedSyntax
• Medical Writing and Editing Best Practices
• Regulatory Insights
• Networking

All are welcome to attend. Please save the date. An invitation link is forthcoming.

Mark your calendars!

AMWA-Southeast’s next educational webinar is scheduled for July 8, 2021 at 12 PM ET.

Alexandra Howson, MA, PhD (she/her/hers), Owner of Thistle Editorial, LLC, and Certified Healthcare CPD Professional, will be presenting “Body of Writing.” You’ll learn techniques for keeping your body healthy despite long hours writing at the computer.

Everyone is welcome!

RSVP by 10:30 AM ET on July 8th to get a link to attend.