Welcome to the website for the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) Mid-Atlantic Chapter. It is an honor to be entrusted with the leadership of the chapter. I would like to say thank you to our immediate past president, Jennifer Sizemore, and the other board members and volunteers who have served our chapter during the past year. And, welcome aboard those who will serve in the coming year. Our volunteers are talented and dedicated, and our chapter is thriving thanks to their hard work.

My focus for the coming year will be to encourage volunteerism and participation in chapter activities. In my case, I was a member for well over a year before I attended my first networking event, and it took more than one emergency appeal from the board for me to even consider an official position. But then I remembered that I joined AMWA because I sought greater exposure to freelance and professional opportunities, and I realized that all I was getting for my membership fee was the affiliation with AMWA that I included on my resume. Once I became an active participant in chapter programs and events, I began to reap the true benefits of membership. An informal gathering of chapter members can be an opportunity to meet new friends and make professional connections. If there is nothing going on in your area, why not host your own event?

I would also like to invite you to explore volunteer opportunities within your chapter. A volunteer position can provide many opportunities for career and professional development. As a brand new board member, I have already met a number of interesting and successful people who have graciously shared their knowledge and expertise. The words “AMWA member” looks pretty impressive on your resume, but President-elect or Program Director would look even better!

Whether you are just starting your career or are a seasoned veteran, please, come and share your experience and wisdom with us. We can all learn from each other. Feel free to contact me at daluyo@gmail.com with your ideas or comments, or if you would like to volunteer. I would love to hear from you.