AMWANW 2010 Events

AMWA NW members attend 2010 Annual Conference in November in Milwaukee, WI

Thanks from AMWA Headquarters: Steve Palmer, Administrator of Chapters and Membership, sent an email thanking the Executive Committee of our chapter for their generosity:  “The Northwest Chapter of AMWA has contributed $1,000 toward sponsoring the beverages that will be available in the hospitality area during part of this year’s Annual Conference. Their contribution, like that of the Ohio Valley Chapter, will be acknowledged in the on-site program and on signs in the hospitality area.  Thanks, AMWA Northwest!”

Fall AWMA Northwest Lunch

The Fall AMWA NW Lunch was held at the Crab Cracker, 452 Central Way in Kirkland on October 23. 

July 2010 Meeting in Seattle 

Members and friends of the AMWA NW chapter held an informal networking meeting on July 18th at Northgate Mall’s Macaroni Grill. Several members from as far south as Portland attended. Discussion about the health of the NW Chapter was lively among the 14 attendees plus nearly everyone had the opportunity to meet someone new. We heard from all at the table — current work, past accomplishments, future plans and, of course, the election of AMWA-NW officers. We talked about current challenges in the field of medical writing — what’s going well and where we could focus to offer more assistance to AMWA-NW members. Our more experienced members contributed valuable perspective. A few officer candidates came forward at the meeting, and I was pleased to see how many individuals were interested in participating in chapter events and symposiums. Involvement from more people will allow us to host more events and continue to build AMWA-NW. Cheers to the start of a new AMWA-NW year! -Submitted by Nona Clifton, immediate past Secretary.

Portland Members of AMWA-NW Meet for Coffee, Conversation, May 2010 

Members of the AMWA-NW chapter who live in the Portland metro area met for coffee and conversation on May 15, 2010, at the Hillsdale branch of Multnomah County Library. Fueled by Starbucks coffee and tea, several members gathered from 10 a.m. to noon to socialize and discuss AMWA business.

Chapter president Kristi Weber briefed members on the AMWA Board of Directors meeting in April 2010. Highlights included:

• AMWA members are noticing more frequent updates to the AMWA Web site, now designed in-house
• AMWA’s educational self-study modules are now designed in-house, giving AMWA more control over production.
• The national president-elect is Barbara Snyder, who will replace current president Tom Gegeny. Doug Haneline is secretary-elect, and Judy Pepin remains treasurer.
• Directors discussed having an independent agency put together a certification exam for medical communicators similar to the BELS exam. Such an exam would set a standard for proficiency in medical communication, raise awareness of the skill set for medical communicators, and increase awareness of ethical standards. Members could take a general examination and be tested in chosen specialty areas.
• In general, AMWA chapters are working to hold meeting costs down. Kristi Weber commended Portland members for using an attractive, free facility for the meeting.
• AMWA membership is down, but AMWA has made judicious budget cuts, so the organization is doing well financially.

Kristi Weber reviewed the high points of Karen Woolley, Ph.D.’s keynote address, Getting Respect-Two Steps Forward and ?, from the 2009 national meeting. She recommended that members who did not have a chance to attend the address view the talk online.

There was some discussion of AMWA subgroups on LinkedIn, and whether members could belong to the national AMWA group and all chapter groups or only their own chapters. Kristi Weber will keep the group posted on these developments.

The meeting included one student member, new to AMWA. The other members present, all freelances, shared tips on breaking into medical communication and opportunities to write or edit in graduate school (volunteering to write a department Web page, writing grants, etc.)

Members discussed meeting two or three times each year so Portland-area members can socialize and have opportunities for professional development without traveling to Seattle. (Regular AMWA-NW chapter meetings will continue in Seattle for those who can attend.) The group agreed to meet again in fall 2010.  –Submitted by Genevieve Long

AMWA Northwest Annual Chapter Meeting January 9, 2010

AMWA Northwest chapter members met at the Green Lake Library Meeting Room in Seattle, WA. Members listened to a presentation by Karen Wooley, PhD, featuring the keynote presentation from the 2009 AMWA National Conference: Getting Respect—Two Steps Forward and ?