Welcome to Reiss Medical Writing

Why I started writing

Hello, I am Dr Jenny Reiss. I would like to explain how I was trained and the skills I practiced and refined before becoming a freelance medical writer. I have an excellent scientific background and a degree in neuroscience that supports my writing and allows me to work quickly through various disease states and treatment mechanisms. I am an author of 2 journal articles and several academic presentations. The regular exchange of information and ideas I experienced during my graduate and postdoctoral studies was the hook that drew me to medical communications. It is the years of experience working in the pharmaceutical industry that helped me become a clear communicator and exceptional science writer. 

Industry experience

I was recruited by a medical communications agency in 2014 and worked my way up to associate vice president of medical affairs. The process of becoming a professional writer in scientific communications starts with individual tasks. Mentorship and practice transform a medical writer into a senior writer/scientific director that defines the strategy for deliverables and provides mentorship themselves. 

Medical writers master content creation
Writers may be asked to develop copy and images for a promotional slide deck from an outline. Once the slides are created, they are reviewed by an internal team that may include the scientific director, up to the VP/department head, and editors. Comments from senior team members may streamline ideas, incorporate brand guidelines, or make a graphic more impactful. 

Writers support materials through submission

The next step for the slide deck is submission for medical, legal, and regulatory review by the pharmaceutical company. Medical comments may require you to soften language (product x “may help” patients vs product x “helps” patients). Legal and regulatory may ensure all the appropriate disclaimers are used, that materials are consistent with other deliverables already created, and all brand guidelines are followed. It is critical that all comments from medical/legal/regulatory are applied on future pieces. 

Senior writers/directors support strategy

As one progresses through senior medical writer up to the director level, they are given more complex tasks. Senior writers/directors discuss the strategy behind materials that will be rolled out for the year with the client. They may support several rounds of review with experts in the field before they hand an outline to a medical writer. Directors may guide several junior writers to develop different sections of an outline or they may support all phases of development for more sensitive deliverables on tight timelines. 

Strategy and efficiency

In addition to being an accomplished writer and a consultant on medical strategy, I am adept at developing/reviewing clean copy that adheres to brand guidelines. I have been at the director level for 7 years so I can elevate materials created by junior writers or create a piece that is on a strict timeline. Please contact me if you need support on any stage of content development.