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SUMMER  
2022

 3

4

9

14

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FROM THE EDITOR & GUEST EDITOR
Communicating Science  � Michael G. Baker and Thomas M. Schindler
 
THEME ARTICLES
Generating Plain Language Summaries of Scientific Publications  
with Ethical Foundations: A Practical “How-To” Guide Cocreated  
with Patients � Thomas M. Schindler

The Making of the Good Lay Summary Practice Guidance:  
A Multi-Stakeholder Document That Was Adopted Into Regulation –  
An Interview with Dr Ingrid Klingmann � Thomas M. Schindler

2021 CONFERENCE SESSION REPORTS
• A Systematic Approach to Manuscript Editing

• Where Data, Design, and Technology Meet: Effective Infographic 
Strategies for Health Communication

• The Importance of Data Presentation

PRACTICAL MATTERS
Writing Your Paper from the Middle  � Hertzel C. Gerstein,  

Diana Sherifali, and Imran Satia

FREELANCE FOCUS
Jam Session for Seasoned Freelancers—Part 1   
� Brian Bass, with commentary from Melissa L. Bogen, Lori De Milto, Cathryn D. 
Evans, Gail V. Flores, and Phyllis Minick

IN THE SERVICE OF GOOD WRITING
What's in a Name? (Diagnosis)  � Laurie Endicott Thomas, MA, ELS

EDITOR-AT-LARGE
A Shoe in the Door: Regulatory Writing Internships for Promoting  
Diversity and Building the Talent Pool  � Jordan E. Sedlacek and  
Jeanette M. Towles

48

36

Detail-
oriented

Organized/ 
disciplined

Creates and 
maintains plans or 

timelines
Identifies tools and 

processes to gain 
efficiency

Perceptive

Intuits where in the team 
lifecycle he/she is 
producing a document
Finds creative solutions to 
related challenges

Proactive

Outlines team vision 
for document

Analyzes project plan 
and identifies risks 

and mitigations

Curious

Keeps up to date with 
latest regulations and 
standards
Builds therapeutic or 
regulatory knowledge 
base for team

Flexible
Gives flexibility when 

possible

Communi-
cative

Communicates firmly 
when flexibility not 
possible

Collabor-
ative

Builds relationships 
with other 

departments
Forges alignment

Advocates

Te
ch

ni
ca

l s
ki

ll
So

ft
 sk

ill
 (E

I)

30



EDITOR-IN-CHIEF  Michael G. Baker, PhD
MANAGING EDITOR Rachel Mosher, MA 

GUEST EDITOR Thomas M. Schindler, PhD 
SECTION EDITORS

Progress in Publications Qing Zhou, PhD, ELS
Regulatory Insights Jennifer Bridgers, MS, MWC

Science Series Paul C. Dolber, PhD
Social Media Jennifer Minarcik, MS

Statistically Speaking  Thomas M. Schindler, PhD
Everyday Ethics  Julie Ravo, BA, MA
Freelance Focus Ruwaida Vakil, MSc
Technology Talk Kate McKiernan, MA, ELS 

REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS
Freelance Focus Brian Bass, MWC

Melissa L. Bogen, ELS
Sherri Bowen, MA, ELS
Lori De Milto, MJ
Cathryn D. Evans
Gail V. Flores, PhD
Phyllis Minick

In the Service of Good Writing Laurie Endicott Thomas, MA, ELS

EDITOR AT LARGE Haifa Kassis, MD
EDITORS IN MEMORIAM Lori L. Alexander, MTPW, ELS, MWC 

Ronald J. Sanchez 
2021–2022 PRESIDENT Katrina R. Burton, BS 

2021–2022 BOARD LIAISON R. Michelle Sauer Gehring, PhD, ELS 
2021–2022 STAFF LIAISON Shari Rager, MS, CAE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Susan Krug, MS, CAE
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Amy Boches, biographics

EDITORIAL OFFICE: ManagingEditor@amwa.org. Instructions for authors 
available at: www.amwajournal.org.

ADVERTISING: Contact marketing@amwa.org or (240) 239-0940. All advertising 
is subject to acceptance by AMWA and should be for products and services relevant 
to professional medical communicators. AMWA is not responsible for the content of 
advertising and does not endorse any advertiser or its products or services.

SUBSCRIPTION: The AMWA Journal is published quarterly. Subscription is included 
with AMWA membership. Nonmember subscriptions cost is $75 per year.

CONTACT: American Medical Writers Association, 30 West Gude Drive, #525,  
Rockville, MD 20850-4347. Phone: (240) 238-0940; Fax: (301) 294-9006;
Email: amwa@amwa.org.

The AMWA Journal is in the MLA International Bibliography and selectively 
indexed in the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature 
(CINAHL) print index and the CINAHL database.

The opinions expressed by authors contributing to the Journal do not 
necessarily reflect the opinions of AMWA or the institutions with which the 
authors are affiliated. The association accepts no responsibility for the opinions 
expressed by contributors to the Journal.

©2022 American Medical Writers Association. All rights reserved.  
ISSN 2163-5315

AMWA JOURNAL MISSION STATEMENT 
In support of the mission of the American Medical 
Writers Association (AMWA) and to advance the 
broader profession, the AMWA Journal publishes 
content that reflects the interests, concerns, and 
expertise of medical communicators. Its purpose is to 
inform, inspire, and motivate medical communicators.

M
O

RE  V37 N2 / 2022 

36 BIOGRAPHY 
 Maud Mellish-Wilson – Librarian, Editor, Visionary 
 � Tom Lang

 41 AMWA NEWS
From the President � Katrina R. Burton

Annual Financial Report, 2020-2021 � Julie Phelan

2021 Annual Business Meeting  for AMWA  
Members � R. Michelle Sauer Gehring

2022 Walter C. Alvarez Award Recipient: 
Dr Leana Wen � Kimberly Korwek

2022 John P. McGovern Award Recipient:  
Peter J. Hotez, MD, PhD   � Katrina R. Burton

 48 CONFERENCE
Resiliency on Display in Denver: AMWA 2022  
Medical Writing & Communication Conference 
� Kimberly Korwek

 49 CALENDAR OF MEETINGS

Contents

http://www.amwajournal.org



