AHCJ Invites Qualified Health Journalists and Broadcasters to Possibly Connect

By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA In a recent post I wrote about the unfortunate disbandment of NAMC and provided information about the Association of Health Care Journalists (AHCJ) as a possible alternative for former members to continue in health journalism. “NAMC folds, qualified members invited to AHCJ” by Pia Christensen, AHCJ member writes about the disbandment and the new membership guidelines that could offer former members the possibility for professional or associate membership. Additionally,…

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Legacy of NAMC Comes to a Halt, Founding Member Bill Crounse, MD Bids Farewell and AHCJ Open its Doors

By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA First, I’d like to say with a very heavy heart how saddened I am by the news of the disbandment of NAMC… The National Association of Medical Communicators (NAMC) closes its doors after more than two decades of inspiring health professionals to accurately communicate health and medical information to the public. NAMC has been spearheading its members in broadcast journalism, but succumbs to the pressures to stay vibrant and…

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Bruce Dan, MD Blogs About His Cancer Treatment

By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA For Health Consumers and Medical Professionals Heartfelt accounts of cancer treatment documented with humor Part  I “I must say, good-naturedly, that the physicians and nurses are reluctant to give you an exact answer to a question.  It’s always, “It depends.”  I realize that things vary, but if a Martian came to earth and asked how tall humans were, it’s not particularly helpful to say, “It depends.”  I’ve asked Lisa…

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CNN’s Sanjay Gupta, MD Receives Health Communications Achievement Award

NAMC Honors Sanjay Gupta, MD at the 29th Annual AMA Medical Communications Conference By Barbara Ficarra Sanjay Gupta, MD, chief medical correspondent for CNN, is recognized for his outstanding contributions in health communications by the National Association of Medical Communicators (NAMC). Dr. Gupta graciously accepted the first health communications achievement award at the 29th Annual American Medical Association’s Medical Communications Conference on April 1, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa in Santa…

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29th Annual Medical Communications Conference a Success!

Presented by the American Medical Association and the National Association of Medical Communicators By Barbara Ficarra I recently returned from the 29th Annual Medical Communications Conference sponsored by the American Medical Association and the National Association of Medical Communicators where I presented two workshops. Medical professionals passionate for improving media and communications skills gathered at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico, April 1-3, 2009. The conference was a…

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