American Medical Writers Association

The American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) is a professional association for medical communicators, with more than 4,000 members in the United States, Canada, and 30 other countries. AMWA is governed by a board of directors composed of the elected officers, 6–8 at large directors, and the chapter advisory council chair. AMWA has regional chapters and provides local networking opportunities throughout the United States and Canada. The association was founded in 1940 by physicians interested in improving the quality of medical writing and editing. The current president is Gail Flores, PhD. AMWA includes a variety of medical communicators, including administrators, advertisers, authors' editors, college and university professors, journal editors, pharmaceutical writers (and those involved in pharmaceutical publication planning), public relations specialists, publishers, reporters, researchers, statisticians, and translators. Many members are freelance writers and editors. Membership in AMWA is open to anyone interested in any aspect of medical communication. AMWA's headquarters are located in Rockville, Maryland, United States.

On the evening of September 25, 1940, in the Mississippi River town of Rock Island, Illinois, Drs. Harold Swanberg, George B. Lake, N. C. Barwasser, Norman Zolla, Florence Johnson, and James Dunn organized the Mississippi Valley Medical Editors' Association (MVMEA). The MVMEA was absorbed by the new AMWA, which was formed at Springfield, Ill., September 29, 1948, during the meeting of the Mississippi Valley Medical Society in that city. At this time The Mississippi Valley Medical Journal was made the official publication of AMWA. During the 1948 meeting, Morris Fishbein, M. D., then editor of The Journal of the American Medical Association, gave a two hour course on medical writing at the meeting. Dr. Fishbein was president of AMWA, 1958–1959. Up until 1951, the constitution of AMWA was written so that only physicians could be members. The constitution adopted for 1951–1956 allowed, besides physicians, "medical librarians and health educators," and, importantly, "personnel of hospitals, foundations, technical companies and allied organizations, educational institutions, publishing and who are concerned with medical writing or publishing "

In 1976 the first president was elected who did not have a doctoral degree (Gerald McKee); in 1977 the first woman president, Virginia T. Eicholtz, was elected.

The AMWA Code of Ethics sets forth the principles that "take into account the important role of medical communicators in writing, editing, and developing materials in various media and the potential of the products of their efforts to inform, educate, and influence audiences." The original Code of Ethics was published by Eric W. Martin, PhD, in 1973. The third revision was published in June 2008.

Membership is open to anyone interested in medical communications. Professional and student memberships are available. AMWA members receive benefits including free resources and learning opportunities. Members can also create a listing in the Freelance Directory, search the Jobs Online platform, and have access to Engage, AMWA's online member community. In addition, members receive reduced prices on AMWA and affiliate products, events, and services.

AMWA offers an extensive continuing education program for professionals in the medical and allied scientific communication fields. More than 90 educational sessions are offered during AMWA's annual conference, including intensive learning workshops that can be applied toward AMWA's certificate program. Earning the AMWA Essential Skills Certificate is considered an important part of a career path in the field. The program requires 8 credits of Essential Skills courses, which may be earned through completion of self study workbook quizzes and/or by participation at in person workshops. Access to on demand resources is available through AMWA Online Learning, which includes videos, articles, tutorials, and interactive activities on a variety of topics. Most resources are available to both members and nonmembers, however members can access them at a reduced price. AMWA also offers live online webinars, networking and learning events, and onsite training programs for medical writing professionals.

The AMWA Journal is the official publication of AMWA. A quarterly publication, it "aims to be an authoritative, comprehensive source of information about the knowledge, skills, and opportunities in the field of medical communication worldwide." The Essential Skills workbooks are published by AMWA and designed for self study. They include examples and exercises, as well as a quiz. Successful completion of the quiz awards credit towards earning the AMWA Essential Skills Certificate.

As the world's largest professional association of medical communicators, AMWA offers unique educational and networking opportunities for those new to the profession, mid career, and advanced career professionals. Jobs Online is an online service for announcing employment or freelance opportunities to medical communicators interested in finding new employers or clients. The AMWA Freelance Directory is an open access online tool that allows individuals or companies to find a professional freelance medical communicator for any scientific, medical, or health care related project. AMWA holds the Medical Writing & Communication Conference annually. The 2018 conference was held November 1–3, 2018 in Washington, D. C. and the 2019 conference was held November 7–9, 2019 in San Diego, CA. The conference is open to all medical communicators, regardless of membership.

AMWA's award program recognizes exceptional achievements and contributions to the field of medical communication. The John P. McGovern Award is presented to a member or nonmember of AMWA to honor a preeminent contribution to any of the various modes of medical communication. The Walter C. Alvarez Award is presented to a member or nonmember of AMWA to honor excellence in communicating health care developments and concepts to the public. The Harold Swanberg Distinguished Service Award is presented to any active member of AMWA who has made distinguished contributions to medical communication or rendered unusual and distinguished services to the medical profession. The President's Award is given by the AMWA president to a member of AMWA for distinctive contributions to the association at the chapter or national level). The Golden Apple Award is awarded to workshop leaders who have demonstrated excellence in teaching in the AMWA education program. The Fellowship program recognizes members who have made significant contributions to the goals and activities of AMWA in addition to other professional accomplishments.

The Medical Writing Certification Commission (MWCC), in collaboration with AMWA, developed the Medical Writer Certified (MWC) credential that defines the scope of medical writing practice and distinguishes individuals in the field. The MWC program is an exam based certification designed for professional medical writers holding a bachelor or advanced degree and with at least two years of paid medical writing experience. Professionals who hold this credential have demonstrated their understanding of medical writing core competencies.