When I left my English Ph.D. program with a second Master's degree, I was 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 contract role with the National Cancer Institute, writing a patient education web site on clinical trials. I discovered 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 (LBBC), 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 and, later, LBBC. I served as managing editor of Crozer-Keystone Health System's annual quality report and, several years later, helped launch a new publication for Geisinger Health called Geisinger Magazine, shepherding five issues to completion as managing editor.

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I also sought out 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 often partner directly with clients, but I've also collaborated with strategic communications firms that specialize in the education and nonprofit sectors, including art270, Kelsh/Wilson Design, Masters Group Design, Foster Avenue, Merz Branding, and Swivel Studios, among others. I have been the lead writer/ message strategist on multiple print and digital communications campaigns, both for marketing and fundraising. 

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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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