A Note from AMWA Leadership

Dear Members and Friends in Medical Communication,

Many of the recent US executive orders, policies, and changes in government funding and resourcing directly affect the work and lives of our members and others in the field, including some jobs, training programs, contracts, censoring of established medical terminology, and the availability of data, literature, and guidances. Additionally, uncertainty has emerged about the future, given the rapid evolution of these changes.

American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) remains committed to our members, to our mission to promote excellence in medical communication, and to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are united in strengthening our communities’ capacity to understand and communicate health risks.

Our work as medical communicators often depends on evidence-based practices determined via transparent data generation from peer-reviewed, scientific literature. As such, AMWA supports evidence- and science-based medicine; the use of clear language to accurately communicate science and medicine to all stakeholders—consumers, health care professionals, regulators, and government officials alike—and the use of objectivity and diligent research in pursuit of accurate and unbiased reporting. We believe that medical communication is best served by the use of precisely defined terms that exist within the established literature and that are used by the vast majority of scientists.

We will continue to support our members as they clearly and accurately communicate information on health, science, and medicine to improve the health outcomes of all. In the upcoming months, AMWA will:

• Recruit subject matter experts to create and release timely resources on changing guidance.
• Include sessions at the 2025 annual conference that address the latest trends and developments in medical communication.
• Review and update our educational offerings to assist with professional development and training in modern health communication.

As a member of AMWA, you can support these efforts by:

• Sharing your feedback and recommendations on Engage or with AMWA leadership by emailing amwa@amwa.org.
• Interacting with AMWA on LinkedIn and encouraging your colleagues to join.
• Participating in AMWA education programs and attending the 2025 annual conference.
• Listening to and learning from our DEI Webinar.

Every member of AMWA has a voice within the organization, no matter their personal characteristics and beliefs. To ensure the dignity of all AMWA members, we encourage our members to continue to treat each other with kindness, compassion, and respect, whether in person, via Engage, or through another venue for communication.

We hear you, we see you, and we will work together to navigate these changing and challenging times. The theme of AMWA’s 2025 annual conference in Phoenix, AZ this November is “Rise. Reflect. Reimagine.” Rapidly evolving times often present the greatest opportunities, and we are committed to helping our members navigate these opportunities and emerge stronger.

Sincerely,

Shawn Watson, PharmD, PhD, BCPS

AMWA President 2024-2025

Susan Krug, MS, CAE

AMWA Executive Director/CEO