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 2022)  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 feel like I am really making a difference to patients’ lives while also being able to ‘geek out’ on the most up-to-date scientific knowledge.”
Maria Allen-Davies, Medical Writer at Helios Medical Communications

“I work in MedComms so I can feel engaged with ground-breaking new medical treatments that benefit patients today and in the future.”
Marc Astick, Senior Medical Writer I at Langland

“I work in MedComms because I like writing and reading up on new research – and I love not doing any lab work. I feel very lucky to work with such a great team and client, and to have a secure job I enjoy!”
Victoria Atess, Scientific Content Director at Ashfield MedComms

“I work in MedComms because I get to communicate ground-breaking medical findings in a way that ensures patients get the right medicines when they need them most. I enjoy intellectually challenging and creative projects spanning a wide range of medical deliverables. I get to grow within an exciting and rapidly evolving industry.”
Andrew Barszczyk, Associate Medical Writer at Caudex

“I work in MedComms because it is socially acceptable (and even encouraged!) to nerd-out about exciting science; I am much more interested in explaining data than in generating them; life is too precious to waste on something that doesn’t interest and challenge you.”
Sophie Bilton, Editorial Team Director at Langland

“I work in MedComms because I enjoy science and communicating information across multiple therapy areas to a wide range of audiences.”
Fiona Boswell, Senior Medical Writer at Caudex

“I work in MedComms because it allows me to apply my clinical knowledge in an innovative way. I enjoy working on a variety of different projects and challenging myself to translate unfamiliar scientific concepts into creative and concise outputs. As I have seen first-hand the powerful impact effective communication of medicinal research can have on patient outcomes, I find it very fulfilling and rewarding working in this field. Learning from leading experts in key therapy areas and working with a supportive team has been great!”
Farrah Boukraa, Medical Writer at dna Communications

“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 I believe that high-quality and timely communication is key to raising awareness of new research and clinical findings that will ultimately improve the lives of patients. I enjoy being a part of this process and learning about interesting new research along the way.”
Sarah Bubeck, Senior Medical Writer at Caudex

“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 want to bring meaning to the scientific data such that healthcare professionals and the public can easily understand them and make use of them to improve patient care.”
Jane Cheung, Associate Director of Medical Writing at Caudex

“I work in MedComms because it is an interesting and engaging sector with excellent career opportunities and provides the opportunity to make a real difference to patients worldwide.”
Andy Church, 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 putting my science background and love of writing to good use in a way that helps to bring new treatments to the patients who need them. Throughout my career I have worked on a range of projects in different therapy areas, which has always kept me on my toes, and the people I’ve met along the way have made it such a fun environment to work in!”
Sophie Cook, Senior Medical Writer at Ashfield MedComms

“I work in MedComms because I am exposed to cutting-edge clinical research in a wide variety of therapy areas. The fast-paced, deadline-driven environment keeps me motivated and engaged with all the different projects that I’m aligned to.”
Georgie Cowell, Associate Medical Writer at CMC Affinity

“I work in MedComms because I love an intellectual challenge and working closely with others.”
Nadia Cummins, Medical Writer II at Langland

“I work in MedComms because I can work creatively alongside an amazingly supportive team of medical writers. The industry has provided me with opportunities to develop personalised career goals and tailor the focus of my role to my specific areas of interest.”
Ben Daniels-Marsh, Associate Medical Writer at Helios Medical Communications

“I work in MedComms because it allows me to use my skill sets and knowledge of different therapeutic areas to benefit patients and the scientific fraternity. I also happen to love writing, so it’s never been a job for me but more of a hobby; lucky me!”
Rhutika Dessai, Senior Medical Writer at Prime Global

“I work in MedComms as it allows me to contribute to improving the lives of patients in a way that best suits my strengths and lifestyle.”
Zach Dixon, Scientific 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.”
Richard Dobson, Programme Director at Adelphi Communications

“I work in MedComms because it offers the opportunity to work in various therapy areas across a range of exciting projects. I love the diversity of each day and working alongside a brilliant team.”
Lucy Farrow, Associate Medical Writer at Helios Medical Communications

“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 it allows me to apply the knowledge from my pharmaceutical and public health background in a very creative way. No day is the same and the role offers an excellent work–life balance.”
Kiran Ghatahora, Senior Medical Writer at Highfield

“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, Medical Writer at Porterhouse Medical, part of the Porterhouse Medical Group

“I work in MedComms with a view to helping clients give a voice to the latest therapies, technologies and, most importantly, patients. Working within this industry is highly rewarding and every day is a school day, with each new project bringing fresh challenges and opportunities.”
Matthew Gunther, Associate Scientific Director at Ashfield MedComms

“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 combines creativity and continued scientific learning over a variety of therapeutic areas. Insights from my clinical background help me contribute to tailored medical communication at a much earlier point in the therapeutic journey, to ultimately benefit patients and their families.”
Dalia Hassan, Senior Medical Writer at dna Communications

“I work in MedComms because it provides opportunities for continual learning and development through engaging with leading experts across several therapy areas.”
Rob Hodge, Medical Writer at Helios Medical Communications

“I work in MedComms because I love writing about science without actually doing the lab work myself.”
Christina Holleywood, Senior Medical Writer at LiNK Medical

“I work in MedComms because it allows me to feed my scientific curiosity, while challenging me to apply my academic and industrial expertise to new and interesting problems. I love that each day is fast paced and different from the next, and that I get to work with incredibly talented scientists and thought leaders who are at the forefront of science and medicine.”
Kelly Hunter, Medical Writer at Fishawack Health (STEPS Foundation Program)

“I work in MedComms because it allows me to work in a challenging and fast-paced environment where I’m constantly applying, learning and developing my scientific knowledge. I also really enjoy the creative aspect of breaking down complex scientific information and transforming it to tell a story.”
Mariya Jamali, Senior Medical Writer at Ashfield MedComms

“I work in MedComms because I know that collaborating with our clients to produce high-quality medical education materials and publications can eventually lead to meaningful, even life-changing benefits for people living with medical conditions.”
Will Jones, Senior Medical Writer at Adelphi Communications

“I work in MedComms because I’m constantly learning while contributing to the development of new medicines. I love the diversity of the role and get to work with intelligent and talented people every day.”
Helen Jordan, Editorial Assistant at Ashfield MedComms

“I work in MedComms because I can be a vital part of the mechanism that gets a drug from the laboratory to the patient. Researchers can make all the discoveries they want, but without effective communication of the outcomes to regulatory authorities, physicians and, eventually, patients, there can be no real-world prevention, treatment or cure.”
Richard Knight, Associate Director of Medical Writing at CMC Connect

“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, Senior Medical Writer at Porterhouse Medical, part of the Porterhouse Medical Group

“I work in MedComms because it allows me to stay at the forefront of research, interact with world-leading experts and make a difference to patients’ lives without doing the research myself; working in a supportive and collaborative environment is the cherry on top!”
Leanne Miller, Associate Medical Writer at Helios Medical Communications

“I work in MedComms because of the diverse range of projects. I enjoy being able to take a detail-oriented approach to improve the quality of our deliverables.”
Conor Monks, Associate Medical Writer at Ashfield MedComms

“I work in MedComms because I love the duality of the medical writer’s role – combining both critical analysis and scientific reasoning with creativity and big-picture thinking. The feeling of being truly valued as a part of a team is fantastic too; no man is an island!”
Honor Morris, Associate Medical Writer at Helios Medical Communications

“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, Senior Medical Writer at Oxford PharmaGenesis

“I work in MedComms because I knew that the traditional academic career was not for me after a few years doing post-doc research. After spending much time searching for an alternative career, I found MedComms which allows me to enjoy my scientific passion and develop new skills which I would not have had if I remained in academia. It has given me the opportunity to understand how healthcare systems work across the world through discussions with world-leading experts and our clients which has been a real eye-opener.”
Ben Murray, Medical Writer at nspm

“I work in MedComms because I find it engaging, rewarding, thought-provoking, creative and fun all at the same time. There are endless learning opportunities with a constant flow of exciting new information. Coming from a research background, I could not have asked for a more satisfying job!”
Shaista Naqvi, Medical Writer at Highfield

“I work in MedComms because I get to learn and challenge myself every day. I love working with the team to communicate science in a way that will have an impact.”
Matthew Francois Nicolas, Medical Writer at Prime Global

“I work in MedComms because it gives me the opportunity to use my editorial experience in a field I am really interested in, and the fast-paced and varied nature of the job means I am continually learning and developing. Working together closely as part of a team drives me to perform well and it’s really rewarding knowing that what we do together makes a difference to the lives of patients.”
Kathy Oliver, Editorial Specialist Lead at Ashfield MedComms

“I work in MedComms because of my love and passion for science and it allows me to apply my scientific knowledge in a creative manner on a daily basis. I particularly enjoy the fact that no 2 days are the same, and it constantly keeps me on my toes. It is also very rewarding and it’s great to see the impact our work has on patients’ lives.”
Kalpesh Patel, Medical Writer at dna Communications

“I work in MedComms because I enjoy the challenge of working on multiple projects in fascinating therapy areas. The opportunity to work alongside some of the most knowledgeable healthcare professionals across the globe provides invaluable and compelling insights into patient care while offering an extremely fulfilling career!”
Neil Patel, Medical Writer at Helios Medical Communications

“I work in MedComms because I love being able to combine my passion for science and research with being creative and writing for different audiences. Working in MedComms means no day is ever the same, and I enjoy interacting with world-leading experts to understand the latest advances in the scientific community.”
Jodie Penney, Medical Writer at Helios Medical Communications

“I work in MedComms because it allows me to get creative and involved in the development of scientific content while having great flexibility of working from home as part of a vibrant, fully remote team.”
Gosia Pospiech, Medical Writer at LiNK Medical

“I work in MedComms because I get to learn something new every day, and the work always challenges me to improve or try something new.”
Ed Potts, Medical Writer at Ashfield MedComms

“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 out of me, keeps me coming back for more.”
Richard Pye, Senior Medical Writer at Oxford PharmaGenesis

“I work in MedComms because I have always been passionate about communicating science. I love that my job gives me the opportunity to work with leading experts from across the world on diverse, engaging projects that raise awareness and understanding of the latest research across a range of therapy areas.”
Jess Sampson, Senior Medical Writer at Highfield

“I work in MedComms because I feel strongly that science should be communicated well. My role allows me to contribute to lots of interesting projects that have real-world impact.”
Fiona Scott, Medical Writer at Ashfield MedComms

“I work in MedComms because the work is diverse, collaborative and rewarding. There’s always a great sense of achievement after finishing a project when you know it’s going to have realworld impact at the forefront of science and patient care – and then you get to do it all over again! I love working as part of a close-knit team and it’s a fantastic job for science graduates who want to move away from the lab, but still want to make valuable contributions to medical research in a more creative way.”
Kennedy Shaw, Associate Medical Writer at Adelphi Communications

“I work in MedComms because without effective communication, science is meaningless.”
Arti Sikka, Senior Medical Writer at Synergy Vision

“I work in MedComms because I believe that disseminating scientific data in a clear and timely fashion is critical to advancing medical research and ultimately improving the treatment of patients.”
Craig Slawecki, VP, Medical Director at CMC Connect

“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 working as part of a team to help patients get the best medical care possible is enormously rewarding.”
Elspeth Stewart, Programme Director at Adelphi Communications

“I work in MedComms because I love being able to use my scientific and clinical knowledge and experience to make a positive impact on people’s health at scale. Transitioning from the NHS to medical writing was made most enjoyable by the Highfield Graduate Program and the excellent onboarding process. Working at Highfield allows me to learn about new disease areas, collaborate with great minds, and use my skills in problem-solving, interpreting science, and medical communication (with a dollop of creativity thrown in) to develop compelling deliverables. As a former clinician, I can add value to clients through my understanding of the challenges and opportunities within healthcare systems, academia, while always keeping the focus on improving outcomes for patients.”
Craig Taylor, Senior Medical Writer at Highfield

“I work in MedComms because each day is different and I have the opportunity to work on exciting projects at the forefront of pharmaceutical development. The supportive and collaborative environment at Helios makes it a great place to work!”
Bryony Thomas, Associate Medical Writer at Helios Medical Communications

“I work in MedComms because I enjoy working with dedicated, enthusiastic colleagues to create innovative solutions that meet the needs of clients, healthcare professionals and patients.”
Lydia Travis, Senior Medical Writer at Ashfield MedComms

“I work in MedComms and I’m always learning.”
David Webb, Medical Writer I at Langland

“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, Medical Writer at Ashfield MedComms

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

“I work in MedComms because the profession involves a unique blend of science and business. The skills and experience I gained in academic research apply directly to the core parts of the job, such as critical thinking and dissemination of scientific content. Yet, there are also plenty of opportunities to be involved in other areas, such as business development and strategy. MedComms offers prospects of tailoring the job to your strengths and interests.”
Frankie Wignall, Medical Writer at Fishawack Health (STEPS Foundation Program)

“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 I enjoy learning new things, I enjoy variety, I enjoy a challenge and I enjoy working as part of a team to make a meaningful difference in healthcare research.”
Lianne Young, VP, Medical Development Director at Complete Health Vision