Whilst preparing the new issue of our latest careers guide, From academic to medical writer: a guide to getting started in medical communications (published March 2021)  we invited people working in medical writing and editing positions in MedComms to tell us why they are doing so….

“I work in MedComms because I love the variety of work and being able to combine my creativity and love of science. I come from a clinical background and have been welcomed into an extremely knowledgeable and supportive team. I have seen the powerful impact that effective communication of cutting-edge research in medicine can have on patient care, so I find contributing to this extremely rewarding. The flexibility of remote working has also been a huge bonus for me. I’m excited to travel in the future and learn from leading experts in key therapy areas. I couldn’t be happier that I moved to MedComms!”

Kate Bevan, Associate Medical Writer at Adelphi Communications

“I work in MedComms because I will never stop being fascinated by how the human body works. I love that my job allows me to constantly learn about how different diseases develop, and how we can utilise technology in evermore creative ways to combat them.”

Alex Binks, Medical Writer at Synergy Vision

“I work in MedComms because it allows to me apply my skills to meaningful work, which makes a tangible difference and offers an excellent work–life balance.”

Daniel Broadley, Editorial Assistant at Ashfield MedComms

“I work in MedComms because it provides me with the opportunity to work on projects in a wide variety of therapy areas, and to continue making a difference to patients without having to be at the ‘coalface’!”

Suzanne Brunt, Medical Writer at Porterhouse Medical, part of the Porterhouse Medical Group

“I work in MedComms because it allows me to expand my knowledge in different areas of the medical sciences while thinking creatively to produce materials that help inform healthcare professionals and improve patient care.”

Annabel Calvert, Medical Writer I at Langland

“I work in MedComms because I love applying my drug knowledge to new therapeutic areas. The challenge of translating a difficult scientific concept into a creative and simple solution keeps me intellectually stimulated. I also work with a supportive and dedicated team, which is an added bonus!”

Ashley Cao-Nguyen, Medical Writer at Synergy Vision

“I work in MedComms because it allows me to apply my scientific knowledge in a creative way to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences. I enjoy working on a huge array of project types across multiple therapy areas. The work stays interesting despite having been at Porterhouse Medical for over a decade.”

Erica Cave, Associate Scientific Services Director at Porterhouse Medical, part of the Porterhouse Medical Group

“I work in MedComms because I can combine my flair for science and writing, and improve patients’ lives through education and increased awareness of diseases.”

Kiran Cheema, Associate Medical Writer at Lucid Group

“I work in MedComms because I always knew that I didn’t want to pursue academia after grad school. My transition into MedComms as a medical writer turned out to be a great choice. I like that the role requires me to use my research and writing skills, and at the same time continually exposes aspects of the pharma industry to me that I would have never learned about in academia. It’s also perfect for anyone like me who prefers crafting sentences over conducting experiments!”

Jasmine Chong, Medical Writer at Caudex

“I work in MedComms because it allows me to work across multiple therapy areas each day, writing in different styles for a range of audiences, and I can discuss the latest exciting developments with expert healthcare professionals. Each day provides a new opportunity to have a positive impact on patients’ lives.”

Emma Conran, Principal Medical Writer at Porterhouse Medical, part of the Porterhouse Medical Group

“I work in MedComms because I love the intellectual challenge of learning about different therapy areas and then applying this new knowledge to come up with creative ideas. I also enjoy being a valued part of a close-knit team, which is more fun than spending hours alone in a dark microscope room!”

Nadia Cummins, Medical Writer I at Langland

“I work in MedComms because I get the opportunity to interact with world-leading experts on a daily basis, discussing science that is at the forefront of disease areas.”

Maria Davies, Medical Writer at Helios Medical Communications

“I work in MedComms because it allows me to explore my passion for effective science communication that results in real change in patients’ lives.”

Brendan Deeney, Associate Medical Writer at Ashfield MedComms (allegro)

“I work in MedComms because I like to apply my creativity to developing novel solutions to my clients’ challenges.”

Richard Dobson, Programme Director at Adelphi Communications

“I work in MedComms because it allows me to combine my passions for science and writing in a creative way. I love the varied nature of this job as it allows me to get involved in multiple therapy areas and projects to produce materials that are ultimately used to improve more patients’ lives.”

Emily Doster, Associate Medical Writer at Ashfield MedComms (allegro)

“I work in MedComms because no 2 days are the same. It’s fast-paced, you learn so much about so many different diseases and you work with a very diverse group of people with many different talents, all while making a difference to patients’ lives.”

Amy Doyle, Medical Writer II at Langland

“I work in MedComms because it lets me contribute to medical science in a way that makes the most of my strengths. I love learning about the latest medical research and being able to share it with others, and I also love not working in a lab anymore!”

Roxanne Dyer, Associate Medical Writer at Caudex

“I work in MedComms and I’m so glad I do. Since transitioning from doing a PhD and post-doc, I have worked on a variety of therapy areas and projects, honed my writing skills and travelled the world. I couldn’t ask for more.”

Tim Ellison, Senior Medical Writer at Oxford PharmaGenesis

“I work in MedComms because it allows me to combine two of my passions, science and creativity, in a diverse and challenging role that always keeps me ‘on my toes’. It gives me a great sense of achievement to work with dedicated teams to communicate complex concepts for a variety of audiences, with the ultimate goal of improving patients’ lives. There are endless opportunities to work across different therapy areas and projects, so you can always find something to suit your strengths and support your progression!”

Alex Elson, Scientific Director at Ashfield MedComms

“I work in MedComms because I love staying on top of the current trends in medicine and enjoy helping others to communicate their scientific messages. I also find the combination of science and business highly rewarding and there are countless opportunities for professional development and career progression.”

Tony Ferrar, Senior Medical Writer at Porterhouse Medical, part of the Porterhouse Medical Group

“I work in MedComms because I relish the challenge of working on a wide variety of projects within many different therapy areas. Getting to really understand the latest treatments for difficult-to-treat diseases is exciting and rewarding.”

Jo Fetterman, Senior Scientific Specialist at Parexel International

“I work in MedComms because every day is different – there is always something new to learn and a different challenge to face. You will never find yourself clock watching!”

Kelly Gallagher, Senior Medical Writer I at Langland

“I work in MedComms because, while no 2 days are the same, every day focuses on the lives and wellbeing of healthcare professionals and patients. The altruistic nature of the industry is what attracted me in the first place.”

Jack Gibbons, Associate Editor at Porterhouse Medical, part of the Porterhouse Medical Group

“I work in MedComms because I love science and I love writing science!”

Fernando Gibson, Principal Medical Writer at CMC Connect

“I work in MedComms because I have the opportunity to become an expert in multiple therapeutic areas while contributing in some way to helping improve patients’ lives, all from the comfort of my home office!”

Jennifer Granit, Scientific Team Lead at Parexel International

“I work in MedComms because I find it motivating to learn about new advances in medicine and therapy areas in detail. I love the variety of projects and working as part of a collaborative team to achieve great results.”

Julie Gray, Principal Writer at Adelphi Communications

“I work in MedComms because it is an ever-challenging and rewarding sector with the primary focus on improving the lives of patients. Medical writing provides me with the opportunity to continue learning about human disease and medicine, whilst working in a professional role with a meaningful purpose.”

Shaun Hall, Associate Medical Writer at Ashfield MedComms (allegro)

“I work in MedComms because I enjoy translating medical data into digestible outputs for different audiences. It also allows me to work flexibly, which is great for my work–life balance.”

Emma Handley, Senior Medical Writer at Porterhouse Medical, part of the Porterhouse Medical Group

“I work in MedComms because it is an exciting industry, with loads of opportunities to grow and develop. You get to learn about the latest advances in medicine, gain new skills and ultimately be involved in work that helps patients and their families.”

Lucy Helas, Editorial Assistant at Ashfield MedComms

“I work in MedComms because it allows me to use my scientific and communication skills to contribute to the improvement of patient outcomes across the world.”

Adam Jowett, Medical Writer at Ashfield MedComms (allegro alumni)

“I work in MedComms because it allows me to keep up with the most recent medical breakthroughs and to contribute toward improving patients’ lives, all while maintaining a good work–life balance. Coming from an academic background, it is rewarding to have the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge science without the added pressure of lab work.”

Aaron Korpal, Senior Medical Writer at Ashfield MedComms (allegro alumni)

“I work in MedComms because it offers an opportunity to make a difference for patients while continuing to do what I loved from my years in research: telling stories about science. As a kid, I wanted to pursue a career in science because I liked science fiction. Now I get to write stories about therapies that would have been science fiction a few years ago and be a part of turning them into reality for patients.”

Joseph Kruempel, Associate Medical Writer at Complete Healthvizion

“I work in MedComms because, simply put, I really enjoy it! I get to work in an industry that is just as much creative as it is scientific; it is the best of both worlds.”

Connie Lathe, Medical Writer at Ashfield MedComms (allegro alumni)

“I work in MedComms because it allows me to apply my professional expertise as a pharmacist to a more creative, dynamic role, while still working to improve the lives of patients. I love the satisfaction of completing a project to an excellent standard, as part of an amazing team!”

Lucy Liveston, Medical Writer at Porterhouse Medical, part of the Porterhouse Medical Group

“I work in MedComms because it is the true bridge between the medical community and the non-medical decision makers. It adds tremendous value to medical innovations and finally translates tob etter patient care. Working in MedComms gives me the same level of satisfaction as I had in my years as a researcher, if not more.”

Tejal Madhwani, Scientific Specialist at Parexel International

“I work in MedComms because it allows me to raise awareness of therapies that can make a real difference to people’s lives.”

Kirsty Millar, Senior Medical Writer at Ashfield MedComms

“I work in MedComms because I enjoy learning about a multitude of clinical disciplines, working as part of a dynamic team and developing communications across multiple formats that have a real-world impact. The fast-paced nature of MedComms allows for the completion of many projects and gives me a real sense of accomplishment.”

Alison Murphy, Medical Writer at Oxford PharmaGenesis

“I work in MedComms because it allows me to learn something new every day and play a role in making a difference to patients’ lives!”

Preeyah Purang, Medical Writer at Ashfield MedComms (allegro alumni)

“I work in MedComms because I enjoy working with exceptional colleagues who want to make a difference by doing the right thing, for the right reasons. I’m able to work with multiple teams to generate high-quality work that makes a real difference to our clients. I’ve been able to work on a variety of projects, with the opportunity to focus on those that I’m more suited to. There’s always someone who needs a helping hand or who’s able to help you out when needed. Collegiality, collaboration and opportunities for mentoring, combined with subject matter that demands the very best of me, keeps me coming back for more.”

Richard Pye, Senior Medical Writer at Oxford PharmaGenesis

“I work in MedComms because it’s such an interesting job that combines scientific knowledge with creative approaches to communication.”

Cally Robinson, Senior Medical Writer I at Langland

“I work in MedComms because it gives me the opportunity to be part of a fantastic and extremely talented team. Together, we provide creative and scientifically based solutions to our clients’ problems, and no 2 days (or clients!) are the same.”

Bethany Roche, Senior Medical Writer II at Langland

“I work in MedComms because I want to help improve patient access to high-value medicines. Medical writing has allowed me to express my creativity in a variety of contexts. I feel constantly intellectually stimulated by the work and my highly talented colleagues.”

Cecilia Silva, Associate Market Access Writer at Prime Global

“I work in MedComms because it combines both science and art. The creativity required to develop engaging content (and interact with challenging clients) is often overlooked. In MedComms, I’m able to take my analytical, scientific training and express it creatively, which is wildly fulfilling, especially when you combine that with the opportunity to help bring a ground-breaking new therapy to market.”

Bomina Slaski, Scientific Team Lead at Parexel International

“I work in MedComms because it allows me to stay on the cutting edge of multiple therapy areas, whilst allowing me to get involved with the business development, account management and creative sides of scientific communication. It’s a great way for me to stay engaged in science and medicine without the lab work and is a career that exposes me to a wide variety of skills, with good opportunities for progression.”

Alexander Stainer, Senior Medical Writer at Porterhouse Medical, part of the Porterhouse Medical Group

“I work in MedComms because it allows me to combine my educational background – biology and medical research – with my life-long passion for writing and communication! I may be out of the lab now, but I am still able to contribute to the progress of medical research, with an even broader overview of the whole process.”

Aryan Stanley, Medical Writer at Ashfield MedComms (allegro alumni)

“I work in MedComms because I love the science, the variety and the dynamic environment each day brings. Whilst many of my projects involve developing highly scientific material, I also have the opportunity to flex my creative muscles with visually pleasing graphics and engaging interactive content. The tangible impact that our work has on the lives of patients is immensely rewarding too.”

Jake Stoddart, Medical Writer at Complete Healthvizion

“I work in MedComms because I love science, research and writing; the working environment is also amazing!”

Matthew Stopford, Associate Medical Writer at Helios Medical Communications

“I work in MedComms because I enjoy the wide variety of projects I get involved with and the challenge of managing them all – it keeps my brain cells active!”

Colette Szarka, Medical Writer at Adelphi Communications

“I work in MedComms because I love storytelling – the most satisfying part of the job is untangling complex science and shaping it into a narrative that people can enjoy reading.”

Phoebe Tate, Medical Writer at Ashfield MedComms (allegro alumni)

“I work in MedComms because I enjoy being part of a talented team, working to deliver creative and engaging scientific content in a variety of ways. My role allows me to use the knowledge I gained from university to make a difference to patient lives.”

Olivia Thomson, Associate Medical Writer at Ashfield MedComms (allegro)

“I work in MedComms because it’s fun! It also keeps me close to cutting-edge science and allows me to be part of an amazing team of talented and dedicated people. What’s not to love?”

Linda Townsend, Scientific Director at Ashfield MedComms

“I work in MedComms because it allows me to work with the latest scientific data and alongside clinicians at the top of their field.”

Kenny Tran, Medical Writer at Prime Global

“I work in MedComms because it allows me to combine my scientific knowledge and passion for writing to help improve patient lives by producing creative and impactful communications.”

Niall Tyrer, Associate Medical Writer at CMC Connect

“I work in MedComms because I get to read about cutting-edge scientific discoveries every day and then I get to work on a creative strategy for communicating this science to a range of audiences. As part of the job, we get to meet and get inspired by incredible, intelligent, passionate people who care deeply about their research and its effect on healthcare.”

Olga Ucar, Scientific Team Lead at inScience Communications

“I work in MedComms because it’s how I can contribute to bringing new therapies to the patients who need it most.”

Lauren Van Wassenhove, Scientific Writer at Parexel International

“I work in MedComms to keep up with medical breakthroughs, and to collaborate with top scientific minds.”

Chris Watling, Principal Medical Writer at Prime Global

“I work in MedComms because it allows me to be a science nerd every day! On top of that, the work that I’m doing contributes to the sharing of knowledge on diseases and treatments in order to improve patient lives. It’s an ideal career for a science graduate.”

Alex Webster, Senior Medical Writer at Ashfield MedComms

“I work in MedComms to fulfil my combined passion for science and creativity. I enjoy that every day is different; I have had exposure to multiple therapy areas, a wide range of project types and numerous pharmaceutical companies.”

Gemma White, Associate Medical Writer at Ashfield MedComms (allegro)

“I work in MedComms because data are useless unless they are communicated effectively to meet the specific needs of audiences. Patients and healthcare providers need to know the same stuff, just at completely different levels.”

Chris Whittaker, Scientific Director at Ashfield MedComms

“I work in MedComms because it allows me to think laterally, it challenges me to communicate eloquently and it enables me to converse with top medical experts, all with the common goal of improving the lives of everyday patients.”

Emma Winter, Senior Medical Writer at Ashfield MedComms (allegro alumni)

“I work in MedComms because the work is diverse and rewarding. While I don’t have a background in science or medicine, my editorial skills allow me to bring attention to detail, consistency and creativity to the work of our clients, which ultimately allows us to produce work of the highest quality.”

Laura Wolvers, Editorial Assistant at Ashfield MedComms

“I work in MedComms because it has enabled me to use my years of clinical experience as a doctor to set up a Medical Advisory Group, which helps benefit clients by providing unique insights into what makes both healthcare professionals and patients tick from an ‘insider’s perspective’.”

Beth Wynne-Evans, Medical Advisor and Senior Medical Writer at Porterhouse Medical, part of the Porterhouse Medical Group

“I work in MedComms because it is so rewarding being part of an amazing team that helps to transform and even save people’s lives! What’s more, I love how varied the work can be!”

Lucia Zoppi, Editorial Assistant at Ashfield MedComms