WHO WE ARE
AMWA-NY has a diverse membership because 2 important centers of the medical writing profession are in our region. New York City is the national center of the media, publishing, and health care communications fields. In addition, many of our members hail from northern New Jersey, the center of the pharmaceutical industry. Hence, we are able to draw upon a wide cross-section of membership, which makes for lively and informative programs and networking events.
Our chapter members are a dynamic combination of freelancers, employees, and employers who write, edit, or develop a wide range of medical materials, including:
- Patient education brochures, news articles, web content, and books
- Journal articles and continuing education monographs
- Regulatory documents supporting drug and device research and development
- Medical affairs documents
- Sales training and marketing materials
- Corporate, media, investor, and product communications for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies
Our target audiences include the general public, patients, press, health care professionals, government agencies including the US Food and Drug Administration, contract research organizations, pharmaceutical industry, research scientists, and institutions.
Some of us have backgrounds with strong medical or science experience, while others have solid writing or journalism experience. Together we share our love for writing, science, and medicine.
Meet Our Current Board of Directors
President; Membership Coordinator
(June 2025-June 2027)
Norah Yao, PhD
Norah Yao writes regulatory documents to support medical devices, and is involved in developing scientific narratives and publications planning as the foundation of medical strategies. She is experienced in oncology, neurology, tissue technology, and other therapeutic areas.
President-Elect
(June 2025-June 2027)
Prasad Kulkarni, PhD, CMPP
Prasad Kulkarni is a scientific/medical communications professional with extensive experience in medical writing, publication planning, and management of publication development.
Prasad Kulkarni’s LinkedIn Profile
Immediate Past President
(June 2025-June 2027)
Jennifer Nepo
Jennifer Nepo is a freelance medical writer and Principal of Medparency LLC. She enjoys helping clients maximize the impact of clinical data for approved and late-stage products through her work in medical affairs, sales training, publications, strategic analyses, and CME.
Treasurer
(June 2025-June 2027)
Qing Zhou, PhD
Qing Zhou has extensive industry experience in medical writing, scientific communications, and publication management. She currently leads planning, development, and dissemination of scientific publications of clinical, translational, and health outcomes research in the field of immuno-oncology. A long-time AMWA member and volunteer, Qing has served at the national and chapter levels and is a Section Editor of the AMWA Journal. Qing is also a Past President of AMWA-NY.
Secretary
(June 2025-June 2027)
Anjani Shah, PhD
Anjani Shah is a biomedical communications consultant with a doctorate in cell biology. She produces conferences for scientists in the drug discovery industry, writes for industry trade publications, and helps pharma and biotech companies explain their work to the media and investors. Her passion is working with scientists and physicians to communicate their work to a broader audience. Anjani is also a Past President of AMWA-NY.
Event Coordinator and Volunteer Committee Chair
(June 2025-June 2027)
Sidonie Jones, PhD
Sidonie Jones is a medical writer and scientific researcher with extensive experience in clinical documentation, regulatory compliance, and cross-functional team collaboration. She has a proven track record in producing high-quality scientific documents and managing multiple concurrent projects across diverse therapeutic areas.
Website Coordinator
(September 2023-June 2025)
Melissa L. Bogen, ELS
Melissa Bogen is a freelance medical editor who edits, fact checks, and proofreads a wide variety of medical materials. Her website is Bogeneditorialservices.com. A long-time AMWA member and volunteer, Melissa is a contributor to the Freelance Forum in the AMWA Journal.
Melissa Bogen’s Linkedin Profile
Board Members at Large
Lloyd Zimmerman, MD, MPH
Lloyd Zimmerman is an attending physician at Samaritan Daytop Village, Inc., and Director of Zimmerman Medical Communications. Lloyd is also a Past President of AMWA-NY.
Dale Isip
Dale Isip is a professional writer who develops research-based content for companies in healthcare and technology. He currently volunteers for AMWA-NY as a website editor and program coordinator.