May 2005

Getting the Most from Web Searches

On Wednesday, May 11, 2005, Daniel Malowany, MS, provided tips, instructions, and examples that are designed to help users make the most of PubMed’s very useful, effective, and time-saving search features. He also introduced several other free resources that are useful to anyone who is looking for medical information. Daniel’s presentation was wonderfully informative and interactive, and afterwards many members offered their own suggestions and experience for working with search engines. For a copy of Daniel’s presentation, download the PowerPoint presentation.

Daniel has held several positions in the pharmaceutical industry, including a position in Pfizer’s Strategic Planning and Policy Department, where he conducted studies on managed care issues, prescribing patterns, and rates of brand erosion. Prior to that, he worked in the Developmental Toxicology laboratory of the New York State Psychiatric Institute, where he helped develop an animal model for substance abuse during pregnancy. As a copywriter with several pharmaceutical advertising agencies, he helped market everything from “high science” antibiotics and oncology brands (Levaquin, Neupogen, and Nolvadex) to over-the-counter oral healthcare products (Crest, Listerine, Reach, and Trident). He has also been involved in large domestic and international product launches and re-launches (Detrol, Exanta, and Glucophage XR).

The program was held at 8th floor of the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA.

March 2005

Responding to the International Health Crisis

On Wednesday, March 9, 2005, Robin Davis, Executive Director of Global Health Action (GHA), discussed how nonprofits like GHA are responding to the health needs of the United States and other countries around the globe. From the poor health conditions of Haiti to the mounting AIDS crisis in Africa and China, Ms. Davis shared personal stories of GHA graduates working together on the frontlines to provide better health for their communities. She also shared how GHA graduates in India have been supporting relief efforts in areas hardest hit by the tsunami. The program was followed by a brief question and answer period.

According to the United Nations Development Programme, one billion of the world’s six billion people live on less than $1 a day, and another 2.7 million live on less than $2 a day. Every day these people struggle to provide adequate nutrition and health care for their families. GHA is a private, nonprofit organization headquartered in metro Atlanta. For more than 30 years, GHA has served the health needs of individuals, communities, and countries through five programmatic initiatives: Leadership and Management Training; HIV/AIDS; Women’s Health and Reproductive Health; Primary Health Care; and Second Generation Organizations. Known and recognized for the ability to design and deliver practical, customized training programs, GHA has trained more than 6,000 health and community leaders from 88 countries.

The program was held at the GHA headquarters, 1902 Clairmont Road, in Decatur, GA. A portion of the proceeds went towards GHA’s tsunami relief efforts.

January 2005

On January 22, 2005, Rick Glaesser, Account Director of Medical Education for Alexander Consulting from Tampa, Florida, discussed what kinds of experience and skill employers want when they are hiring medical writers and editors. He also brought sample resumes and answered questions on the best way to present your experience as a medical writer.

Mr. Glaesser spent most of his career in politics and public affairs management, print editing, and advertising in Toronto, Canada. At Alexander Consulting, Inc., he manages recruiting for various positions in medical education and healthcare communications, including positions in medical education and healthcare communications for medical writers, medical editors, scientific directors, and account managers, to name a few. Mr. Glaesser holds a bachelor’s degree in politics and economics from the University of Toronto.

Mr. Glaesser’s wonderfully informative program was held at Eatzi’s across from Perimeter Mall at 11:00 a.m. on January 22, 2005.

November 2004

On the Front Lines with the Disease Detectives of the Epidemic Intelligence Service

On November 10, 2004, Maryn McKenna discussed her new book, Beating Back the Devil: On the Front Lines with the Disease Detectives of the Epidemic Intelligence Service. As a science and medical writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, McKenna has covered the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) since 1997. Her book chronicles the history of CDC's Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS), established in 1951 after the Korean War to respond to biological warfare and to detect man-made epidemics. The global work of the EIS has played a pivotal role in eradicating smallpox and in identifying and controlling the spread of diseases such as polio, tuberculosis, malaria, AIDS, West Nile virus, and SARS. The deployment of 34 officers to New York City on September 14, 2001, was the largest single deployment of EIS officers to one location in the history of the EIS.

To write her book, McKenna observed the dedicated EIS class of 2002 in action, which included young physicians, veterinarians, PhDs, nurses, and for the first time, a lawyer. EIS officers serve for two years, and the class of 2002 was the first class trained after 9/11, and the first class trained to respond to bioterrorism. Beginning with their orientation and training, McKenna followed them as they confronted the threat of anthrax as well as the outbreak of SARS, monkey pox, and other medical concerns. She is the only journalist to be given full access to the EIS. McKenna's riveting presentation was held at the Chianti Village Café in Roswell, Georgia.

September 2004

Cultural Diversity

Gillian Royes, PhD, has been a corporate communications and diversity consultant, lecturer, and trainer for 25 years. Her presentation for our first program of the 2004–05 year, on Thursday, September 23, was entitled “Cultural Diversity.” The program was held at 6:30 p.m. at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Road, in Atlanta.