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JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM  / Freelance Medical Writer, Sandy Springs, GA

Being a veterinarian and medical writer is a unique, 

if somewhat unexpected, combination of profes-

sional skills. I say unexpected because many people 

view veterinarians as being only in private practice, treating 

everything from dogs to pot-bellied pigs.

 The overwhelming majority of veterinarians are in pri-

vate practice,1 so it’s not surprising that “veterinarian” and 

“writer” uncommonly appear in the same sentence.

 When I was veterinary school, nontraditional career 

paths for veterinarians beyond academia or the public sector 

were not widely discussed. I didn’t learn about medical writ-

ing until several months after I earned my veterinary degree.

 Fast forward to today, with 8 years of medical writing and 

4 years of freelance medical writing under my belt. Although 

my path to and within medical writing has been circuitous, I 

am fortunate that I have been able to combine my veterinary 

training and love of writing into a rewarding career.

 What I’ve learned about myself and the medical writing 

profession can help other veterinarians who are contem-

plating making the professional leap into medical writing.

My Lessons Learned
1. Think Outside of the Clinical Box

My year of clinical rotations made it clear that the private 

practice world wasn’t for me. I knew that I did not want to 

deal with the daily grind of constant client-facing and other 

rigors of clinical veterinary medicine.

 If you know that private practice isn’t for you, don’t force 

it. Doing so could leave you feeling like a frustrated square 

peg in a round hole, increasing your risk of career resent-

ment. Remember that your veterinary degree opens many 

more doors beyond those of private practice.

 If you enjoy practicing but don’t want to do it full-time, 

consider medical writing as a part-time pursuit. As veteri-

narians, we know that pet owners are hungry for credible 

and accurate pet care information. Medical writing offers 

an excellent opportunity to translate our veterinary  

training into practical and beneficial information for  

pet owners.

2. Be Ready for Misunderstandings

When I explain to people what I do, I occasionally receive a 

response along the lines of, “So, why aren’t you a real vet?” 

 That question used to sting a little bit. Why did people 

equate my realness as a veterinarian with whether I worked 

in private practice? Eventually, I learned that I didn’t need 

to defend my veterinary degree or my decision to use it to 

pursue an alternative career path. 

 As you transition into medical writing, don’t be sur-

prised if you get questioned in the same way. Use the oppor-

tunity to educate people on the versatility of a veterinary 

degree beyond private practice. 

3. Assess Your Transferrable Skills

At first glance, it might not seem like your years of veterinary 

training would prepare you for a medical writing career. 

Take a closer look.

 Many skills can transfer from veterinary medicine to 

medical writing, including attention to detail, critical think-

ing, scientific and medical expertise, and strong written 

communication skills. 

 With some more introspection, you can probably come 

up with more skills. Write them down, and you’ll realize that 

you’re more prepared than you thought you were to become 

a medical writer.

4. Do Your Research on Medical Writing

During my clinical rotations, I enjoyed writing the patient 

discharge summaries and medical notes on patient cases. 

More than once, a clinician would compliment my writing. 

AROUND THE CAREER BLOCK

Journey From Veterinary Medicine  
to Medical Writing



44 AMWA Journal / V36 N1 / 2021 / amwa.org 

 After attending a career symposium that featured Emma 

Hitt Nichols, PhD, ELS, as a panelist, I decided that medical 

writing was the way to go for me. I joined AMWA and browsed 

through old editions of the AMWA Journal to learn more about 

the profession. I also attended local AMWA chapter meetings 

and conducted informational interviews with medical writers.

If you decide that you want to become a medical writer, 

research the profession and determine which area of medical 

writing appeals most to you. The more research that you do, 

the more comfortable you’ll feel about making the transition 

into medical writing.

5. Consider Human or Veterinary Medical Writing

My first medical writing positions were at medical com-

munication agencies that focused on human oncology and 

hematology. Although I understood the science and medical 

terminology, writing for human academic and pharmaceutical 

audiences did not suit me well.

 When I began freelancing, I realized that veterinary writ-

ing was the better fit. Over time, my freelance medical writing 

niche became clear: pet owner education. Although I do some 

human health journalism writing, my passion lies in educating 

pet owners.

 As veterinarians, we recognize the many overlaps between 

human and veterinary medicine and can switch between the 

two with relative ease. Thus, human or veterinary medical writ-

ing are equally reasonable career options.

 If you choose human medical writing, be prepared to 

explain why, as a veterinarian, you’re qualified to write on 

human medical topics. A potential client or employer might 

need a little extra convincing that you can translate your veteri-

nary knowledge to human health. 

6. Talk to Other Veterinarians Who Are Medical Writers

Being the only veterinarian at medical communication agen-

cies was a “fish out of water” experience for me.

 Once I started connecting with other veterinary medical 

writers on LinkedIn and through AMWA, I realized that I wasn’t 

the only veterinarian in the medical writing world.

 Veterinary medical writers understand your professional 

background and can help you navigate your transition into 

medical writing. 

7. Get Involved in AMWA

AMWA is the best organization for medical communicators at 

all experience levels. Being active in the organization pays divi-

dends when it comes to learning about employment and free-

lancing opportunities and moving forward in the profession.

 Get involved in your local chapter by serving on the chap-

ter Board or assisting with other volunteer activities. Once 

you’ve found your footing at the local level, consider being 

active on the national level as well. 

 In addition to being active, search the AMWA directory 

for members who are veterinarians and send an introductory 

email. We’re more than happy to connect with you and help 

you along your medical writing journey.

8. Recognize the Uniqueness That You Bring to Medical Writing

Veterinarians bring a unique perspective to medical writing. 

Not only do we understand the interconnectedness of human 

and veterinary medicine, but we also recognize the need for col-

laboration between human and veterinary medical experts to 

address public health challenges and combat infectious disease.

 This perspective adds a richness to medical writing by 

expanding the breadth and scope of medical communication. 

Veterinary medical writers are aptly positioned to apply their 

veterinary training and knowledge to their writing, whether it 

is in human or veterinary health.

Final Thoughts
The journey from veterinary medicine to medical writing may 

not be straightforward, but it can certainly be rewarding. The 

medical writing profession offers an opportunity for veterinari-

ans to use their veterinary expertise to benefit both human and 

veterinary medical communication.

 Your veterinary degree opens up many professional possi-

bilities outside of private practice. If medical writing interests 

you, explore and pursue the medical writing niche that suits 

you best and continue finding ways to hone your craft and 

grow as a writer. Connect with other veterinary medical writers 

and recognize the value and uniqueness that you bring to the 

medical writing table.

 Even if you traded your stethoscope for a pen, you are still a 

real veterinarian. 

Author declaration and disclosures: The author notes no commercial 
associations that may pose a conflict of interest in relation to this article.

Author contact: joanna@jpencmc.com

Reference
1. 2018 AVMA report on the market for veterinary services. American 

Veterinary Medical Association website. Published 2018. Accessed 

August 24, 2020. https://www.avma.org/sites/default/files/

resources/2018-econ-rpt3-veterinary-services.pdf

AROUND THE CAREER BLOCK

mailto:joanna@jpencmc.com
https://www.avma.org/sites/default/files/resources/2018-econ-rpt3-veterinary-services.pdf



