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How I Got Here (or, this wasn't my original plan)

When I left my English Ph.D. program with a second Master's degree, I was fairly certain I had made the right decision. But I had to find a way to use my research and writing skills--and my love of project variety and self-motivation--to chart a new path.

 

I lucked into a freelance gig writing a patient education web site on clinical trials for the National Cancer Institute (NCI). I found that I loved taking complex medical information and making it understandable for lay audiences. Having the NCI on my resume opened many more doors. I covered cancer conferences for Oncolink.org at Penn's Abramson Cancer Center; wrote profiles for Caring4Cancer magazine; developed publications for Living Beyond Breast Cancer, the Young Survival Coalition, and Fox Chase Cancer Center; coauthored a 500-page patient guide on ovarian cancer; and secured a steady role as contributing writer with Breastcancer.org. I also served as managing editor of Crozer-Keystone Health System's annual quality report and, more recently, helped launch a new magazine for Geisinger Health called Geisinger Magazine, shepherding five issues to completion as managing editor.

I also looked for opportunities to use my creative and writing skills to advance the work of independent schools, colleges and universities, and arts and culture organizations--all places I had worked during and just after college and graduate school. I have been fortunate to partner with strategic communications firms that specialize in the education and nonprofit sectors, including art270, Kelsh/Wilson Design, Masters Group Design, Snavely Associates, and Swivel Studios, among others. I have been the lead writer on multiple print and digital communications campaigns, both for marketing and fundraising. 

Whether your mission is about healing, educating, empowering, supporting, or all of the above, I can help you tell your story to the audiences who need to know it--or hear it in a fresh way.

 

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