AMWA Board of Directors

Minutes from Board of Directors teleconferences are available.  

Webinars

Webinar: LinkedIn for Medical Writers, 2020 Sept 15
Raeesa Gupte, PhD     slides

Jump Starting Your Freelance Career in 2020 - Thursday, January 9th (recording)
Panelists: Lisa M. Balbes, PhD; Natalie DeWitt, PhD; Joanne M. McAndrews, PhD
Moderator: Rebecca Bigelow, PhD

A Tale of Two Contemplations: Impostor Syndrome and Medical Writing Dreams by Anand Devasthanam, PhD, Medical Writer at Parexel.  
Recording from 2020 April 30.  Slides.

Kansas City Area

2018 Nov 13 - "Writing Across the Media: Why We Should Tweet This Not That" webinar

TechWriteSTL

This group began a a joint project of the American Medical Writer's Association and the Society for Technical Communication. Since 2006, freelance medical and technical writers in the St Louis local area have been meeting for lunch (each person pays for their own meal) about every other month. The group re-named themselves "TechWriteSTL" in March 2013. All interested parties are encouraged to attend - contact Lisa Balbes (lisa@balbes.com) or Joanne McAndrews (joanne@joannemcandrews.com) to be added to the electronic mailing list.

Past Meetings

2024

January 10 - Best Practices for Working Remotely, presented by Susan Ryan, SC Ryan Consulting, LLC.  Handout.  
March 13 - Dealing with Difficult People in the Workplace, presented by James RW Linsin, PsyD, Clinical Psychologist.  Handout.
May 08 - Launching a Freelance Writing/Editorial Business, presented by Ruth Thaler-Carter.  Handout.
July 10 - Developing New Skills, presented by Elizabeth Donald.  Slides and resources.
September 11 - Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Scientific Publishing, presented by Lisa Balbes.  Slides.  
 

2023

January 11 - "Updates to Inclusive Language Guidance for Scientific Publishing" (webinar) presented by Stacy Christiansen, MA, Managing Editor, JAMA and Tracy Frey, BA, Deputy Managing Editor, JAMA Network.  Slides.
March 08 - "Statistical Errors Even YOU Can Find (No, Really)", webinar, Tom Lang, Tom Lang Communications Inc.  Handout.  
May 16 -  "Preparation of Requests for Proposals (RFPs)/A writer's tasks assisting clients with grant-writing", Patrick Dorsey and Veronika Redmann.  Slides.
July 11 - "Grammar conundrums", Elizabeth Donald
September 06 - "The Wonderful World of Subcontracting",  annual dinner meeting presented by Joanne McAndrews and Ruth Thaler-Carter.  Handout.  An expanded version of the handout is available for AMWA members from Ruth.  
November 08 - "Fewer words and bigger font: Effectively presenting your data", Leslie Hinyard, PhD.  Handout.

2022

January 11 - "Beyond Resolutions: A Guide to Achieving your Goals for the New Year", presented by Sunali Wadehra, MD, Somewhere in cyberspace.  Handout.
March 10 - "How to use the reference tool Mendeley, presented by Diane Morton somewhere in cyberspace.  Handout.
May 18 - "Be a Better Writer or Editor!" presented by Ruth Thaler-Carter in Kirkwood Park.  Handout.
July 14 - "Health Care Options for Freelancers" presented by Veronika Redmann. Presentation.
September 06 -  "Covering Health, Gun Violence and Racial Trauma in the Midwest"presented by Cara Anthony at the annual dinner meeting at CJ Muggs.  
November 15th, 11:30-1pm - "Best and Worst Books of 2022", led by Leslie Neistadt.  Handout. 
 

2021

January 5 - The Science of Being Happy, presented by Alice Fugate and Dana Delibovi, somewhere in cyberspace.
March 3 - "Members' Favorite Tools for Writing and Editing" presented by Ginger Peschke, somewhere in cyberspace.  Slides and Summary.  
May 11 - "Contract Writing and Negotiations" presented by Veronika Redmann, somewhere in cyberspace.  Handout.  
July 12 - "Buckle up for Fast Tech, Slow Write, and the Royalty Rip-Off", presented by Louise Noeth, somewhere in cyberspace.
Sept 30 - "Improving Your Public Speaking" presented by Ruth Thaler-Carter, annual dinner at CJ Muggs. Handout. 
Nov 03 - "The Best and Worst Books of 2021" presented by Leslie Neistadt, somewhere in Cyberspace.  Booklist.  Gifts for book lovers.  

2020

January 10 - "IT Security for Your Home Office", presented by Ruth Thaler-Carter at J Greene's Pub. Handout.
March 31 - "Find Customers -- Do Work -- Get Paid", presented by Betsy Frick, on the Interwebs! Handout.
May 04  - "Medical ghostwriting: ethical and practical controversies" by Pranali Pathare and Dana Delibovi, on the Interwebs.  Presentation.
July 22 - New Regulations Affecting Freelancers, moderated by Ruth Thaler-Carter with insights from John Goffstein of Goffstein Law LLC.  Handout.
September 22 - Zoom Networking Dinner (Coordinated by Lisa Balbes and Joanne McAndrews)
November 12th - Best and Worst Books of 2020, coordinated by Leslie Niestadt

2019

January 02 - "Life and Business Design" presented by Brian Lunt, McAlister's Deli. Handout.
March 12 - BYOB(P): Bring Your Own Business Problem, Pasta House, discussion lead by Alice Fugate. Summary.
May 7 - Speed Networking, C J Muggs, coordinated by Joanne McAndrews
July 15 - Desktop Publishing Software by Suzanne Broussard at J Greene's Pub. Summary.
September 05 - Annual Dinner "The Battle for Quality Medical Journalism," presented by Samantha Liss at CJ Muggs in Webster Groves.
November 13 - Best and Worst Books of 2019, coordinated by Leslie Neistadt, Kirkwood Public Library. Handout.

2018

January 9 - Business Travel Tips, Lisa Balbes, Mike Duffy's Pub and Grill. Handout.
March 14 - "Fun Things for Geeks to Do Around Here, Alice Fugate. Pasta House. Handout.
May 9 - Field trip to the St. Louis Art Museum, Forest Park. Private tour of Native American cultures exhibit, lunch at Panorama Restaurant
July 18 - Medical Communication Companies, presented by Tom Wolf , Yellowstone Cafe. Handout.
September 06 - "The Business of Freelancing", presented by Elizabeth Leight and Pranali Pathare, annual dinner meeting at CJ Muggs in Webster Groves. Handout
November 13 - Best and Worst Books of 2018, coordinated by Leslie Neistadt, Kirkwood Public Library, BYO lunch. Handout.

2017

January 10 - "Getting those difficult interviews" lead by Mary Jo Blackwood at Cicero’s . Handout
February 28 - "Retirement planning" by John Mussman, Mike Duffy's Pub & Grill
May 04 - Tour of the Helix Center, arranged by Betsy Frick, lunch at Thai Nivas Cafe
July 18 - "Writing for Television", presented by Jo Seltzer at Momo's Ouzaria Taverna
August 29 - "Mindfullness Meditation", Dr Anu French, annual dinner at CJ Muggs in Webster Groves
November 8 - "Best (and Worst) Books of 2017", presented by Leslie Neistadt. Katie's Pizza & Pasta. Book Recomendations.

2016

February 3 - "Diversifying your Workstream" led by Dana Delibovi at Sweet Tomatoes
March 30 - "Breaking into Regulatory Writing", led by Joanne McAndrews and Chris Feely, House of India
May 19 - Tips To Make Your Documents and Websites Accessible, Alice Fugate, Pasta House. Handouts: Accessibility Sources and Making Your Documents Accessible.
July 21 - Academic and education-related writing and editing, Ann Paterson, First Watch
September 27-10th Anniversary Dinner "The View from the Top", by Jay Piccirillo, MD, FACS, Editor-in-Chief, JAMA Otolaryngology, C J Muggs. Resources.
Nov 9 - Where Have We Been, and Where Do You Want to Go?, Joanne McAndrews and Lisa Balbes, The Egg and I

2015

January 13 - "Comparing and Contrasting Hourly vs. Lump Sum Rates" by Nick Russell at Sweet Tomatoes. Handout.
March 12 - Bring Your Own Biusiness Problems, House of India, 8501 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63124
May 14 - Missouri Botanical Gardens, Tour of the Herbarium and Library, Coordinated by Jan Niehaus
July 21 - "The Wonders of LinkedIn for Business and Career" by Kathy Bernard (coordinated by Patrick Dorsey
September 17 - Annual dinner meeting, "Ridiculous employment contract terms and what to do about them" presented by James O. Hacking, III, Hacking Law Practice, St. Louis, MO
November 12 - "Don't Get Technical with Me: The Truth about Technical Writing" presented by Bob Saigh

2014

January 22 - "Medical/Technical Writing and Editing Certifications: Right for You" presented by January 22 Leslie Neistadt at Daily Bread. Handout.
March 25 - "RSI: What is it? How do you avoid it? I HAVE IT!- What now???", presented by Maureen Hoock (professional Physical Therapist and Massage Therapist)
May 16 - Tour of the new downtown library and lunch at Sen Thai
July 8 - "Writing for the Web", presented by Vivienne McKenzie, Sweet Tomatoes
September 10 - "Choosing a Great Business Avatar" presented by Alice Fugate, Sweet Tomato
November 12- "Taxes that Aren't Taxing: Simple Solutions for Tax Preparation" by Dana Delibovi. Handout.

2013

January 09 - "Taking Leave of a Long-Term Client or Employer", by Mary Jo Blackwood, Sweet Tomatoes (Joint with Society for Technical Communication)
March 12 "Libraries: Resources and Remedies" presented by Ruth Kaufman, Applegate's Deli, First meeting of TechWrite STL
May 10 - "How Do You Structure Your Time?", presented by Joanne McAndrews, Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
July 09 - "Developing a Logo for your Company", presented by Jan Niehaus
September 27 - "Reinventing yourself for today's economic realities", Dana Delibovi, Sweet Tomatos
November 15 - "Lessons Learned from Self-Publishing" presented by Patrick Dorsey, McAlister's Deli

2012

January 26, 11:30am - "Protecting Your Intellectual Property" by Betsy Frick, McAlister's Deli (Joint with Society for Technical Communication)
March 15 - Dictation Software by Alice Fugate, at the home of Rob Saigh (Joint with Society for Technical Communication)
May 07 - Tour of Danforth Plant Science Center and BYO lunch, organized by Jo Seltzer (Joint with Society for Technical Communication)
July 10 - "Before You Say Anything: Seven Seconds to Stronger First Impressions" by Patrick Dorsey, (Joint with Society for Technical Communication)
September 21 - "Writing a Tagline" by Jan Niehaus, Communication by Design (Joint with Society for Technical Communication)
November 6 - "In Medias Res", Rob Saigh, Razorsharp Communications, (Joint with Society for Technical Communication)

2011

Feb 10 - "Honing Your Writing with a Critique Group", Mary Jo Blackwood, Duff's Restaurant, Joint with Society for Technical Communication)
March 07 - "The Importance of Writing Well", Linda Landon, Schneithorst, Joint with Society for Technical Communication
May 12 - "Following up with your Prospects", Jan Niehaus, Duff's Restaraunt, Joint with Society for Technical Communication
August 9 - "The Future of the Book", First Watch, Joint with Society for Technical Communication
Joanne McAndrews-- Kindle, Lisa Balbes-- iPad, Mary Jo Blackwood (in absentia)-- Nook, Rob Saigh-- traditional paper books
September 27 - "Writing for Mobile Devices", Dana Delibovi, Dinner at CJ Muggs in Webster, Joint with Society for Technical Communication)
November 11 - "Writing Sharper than a Laser", Rob Saigh, Razorsharp Communications, Sweet Tomatoes, Joint with Society for Technical Communication

2010

Jan 08 - Clients: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (Moderator: Joanne McAndrews, Assumption Greek Church, Joint with Society for Technical Communication)
March 05 - Tools for Evaluating Clinical Study Reports (presenter Linda A. Landon, Joint with Society for Technical Communication)
May 06 - Writing for blogs: Is It Worth it? (presenter Lisa M. Balbes, Ph.D., PJ's Tavern, Joint with Society for Technical Communication)
July 09 - Time Tracking for Independents (presenter Lynne Roney, C J Mugg's in Webster, Joint with Society for Technical Communication)
September 23 - Getting Noticed: Presentation Skills for Research and Marketing (presenter Larenda Mielke, Washington University in St. Louis, Joint with Society for Technical Communication)
November 02 - "The Relationship Between the Book and the Index" (presenter Robert A. Saigh, Duff's in the Central West End, Joint with Society for Technical Communication)

2009

January 12 - Writing science and medicine articles for the St. Louis Beacon (Presenter: Jo Seltzer, Daily Bread, Joint with Society for Technical Communication)
March 3 - Troubleshooting Microsoft Word Problems (Presenter: Lynne Roney, Joint with Society for Technical Communication)
May 19, 2009 - Effective interviews with subject matter experts (Presenter: Betsy Frick, Schneithorsts Restaurant, Joint with Society for Technical Communication)
July 8 - Portfolios that Pop (Presenter: Dana Delibovi, Amici's, Joint with Society for Technical Communication)
Sept 11 - Seminar for Writers and Editors about Statistics (presenter Dr. Jay Piccirillo, Washington University School of Medicine), Joint with Society for Technical Communication)
Nov 13 - Writing Instructions (Presenter Barb Vogel, Maggianos Little Italy), Joint with Society for Technical Communication)

2008

January 02 - LinkedIn for Independents (Joanne McAndrews, Joint with Society for Technical Communication)
March 07 - Update on New Technologies: Opportunities, Uses, and Issues for Independents (Lisa Balbes, Joint with Society for Technical Communication)
May 07 - Recent Experiences (Joint with Society for Technical Communication)
July 11 - Visual Communications (Barb Vogel, Joint with Society for Technical Communication)
September 18- Survey Results (Lisa Balbes and Joanne McAndrews, Joint with Society for Technical Communication)
November 14 - BYOBP (Bring your own business problem) (Alice Fugate, Joint with Society for Technical Communication)

2007

10 January - SMART Business Goals for 2007 (Joint with Society for Technical Communication)
07 March - Warming up cold calls and marketing your freelance business (Donna Coffman, Joint with Society for Technical Communication)
09 May - Retirement Options for the Self-Employed (Edward Jones, Joint with Society for Technical Communication)
11 July - Working Remotely: Keeping It Successful and Fun (Alice Fugate, Joint with Society for Technical Communication). Handout.
12 September - Top 10 Web Sites for Medical/Technical Writers (Joanne McAndrews, Joint with Society for Technical Communication)
07 November - Contracts and Letters of Agreement (Cathy Jarrell, Joint with Society for Technical Communication)

2006

28 April - RSS, Wikis and blogs (Lisa Balbes)
20 September - First Joint meeting of STC CIC SIG and American Medical Writers Association
29 November - Business Plans (Joint with Society for Technical Communication)

2005

26 January - Panel discussion "Getting Started as an Independent"
21 March - Current Problems
24 June - Current Issues
14 September - Current Issues
29 November - The Future of the Local STC Chapter/ Problems Getting Paid

2004

11 February - Taxes
21 April - "Buyer-Centric Selling"
24 May - What I learned at STC’s National Meeting
20 July - Portfolios
01 October 2004 - Free Money for Small Business Training Opportunities
19 November 2004 - Elevator speeches as part of your marketing efforts

2003

26 August - Resources for Independents
28 October - Recent Regional Meeting, Current Issues
18 December 2003 - Marketing Dos and Don’ts