Message from the Biomedical Writing Director

Danny A. Benau, PhD
Graduate Program Interim Director for Biomedical Writing

Effective medical writers take data that they have either created or received and convert them to information and knowledge for communication to appropriate audiences. To be effective, medical writers must be more than mere medical transcribers; they must be part of the checks and balances on the transmission of information on therapies and medical issues. The online Biomedical Writing Programs at USP teach students to become effective medical writers who can create and modify pharmaceutical industry-specific documents. We will teach you content, documentation, writing and editing for the pharmaceutical industry whether in pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, advertising agencies, clinical sites, or professional societies.

The need for medical writers in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry is greater than the number of available qualified medical writers. Since 1997 we have educated over 500 professionals who have taken one or more of our courses. We have more than 50 graduates with the Master of Science in Biomedical Writing who are working in management in the pharmaceutical industry or running small and large freelance medical writing businesses.

As an online graduate certificate and degree program, we have students who are pursuing their graduate degree and students who are seeking to change career directions. Our students have diverse backgrounds. Some are professionals with advanced degrees in scientific fields; others have degrees and careers in healthcare or journalism. USP graduate students in other majors are also encouraged to take our courses.

You are welcome to participate in our Third Thursday seminars. Once a month, on the third Thursday at 6:30 p.m., local students, faculty, graduates and friends meet at USP for a casual meal and talk. Remote participants can join us online and by telephone and webinar link from 7 to 8 p.m. Locations and topics are available on the USP website.