How to Become a Medical Editor – A PNC Classic from 2020

Interview with Dr. Jennifer Spector – 380

In this week’s Classic Podcast Episode from 2020, Dr. Jennifer Spector describes how to become a medical editor. Unlike other medical editors who spent years as a paid medical writer, Jennifer parlayed her involvement in a professional society and unpaid writing to land her new editor position.

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Jennifer is a Board-Certified Podiatric Physician and Surgeon with 14 years of clinical experience. She spent over 5 years in national leadership positions at the American Association for Women Podiatrists (AAWP). She’s had a long-term interest in education, writing, and consulting. She is passionate about educating others. In June 2019, she became the Associate Editor for Podiatry Today.

She received her DPM degree from the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine. Then she completed a three-year residency in podiatric medicine at Christian Care Health System.

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How to Become a Medical Editor

Medical writing and editing are great careers. They come in various arrangements: freelancing or employment; working remotely or in an office; technical, journalistic, or educational. And there are positions open to physicians of all backgrounds.

After completing her residency, Jennifer spent several years building her practice. She later volunteered at the American Association for Women Podiatrists. She chaired several committees. Then she held several leadership positions, becoming President of the organization in 2018.

There are so many things that we might have dipped our toes into in clinical practice without realizing how they can apply outside of actual practice. – Dr. Jennifer Spector

While at the AAWP she was responsible for writing and editing the newsletter and other documents. That experience enabled her to land her position as Associate Editor for Podiatry Today.

After working in that position for about 20 months, Jennifer was promoted to Senior Editor followed by Managing Editor at Podiatry Today. In July of 2022, she became one of the Assistant Editorial Directors at HMP Global, the parent company of Podiatry Today and a market leader in international healthcare education and clinician engagement.

Finding Editing Jobs

Today’s conversation with Jennifer clarified her process to become a medical editor for a news journal like Podiatry Today. Jennifer reminds us to develop a portfolio of writing and editing samples to share with prospective employers. She was able to do this while volunteering with the AAWP.

If you’re looking for freelance writing opportunities, you should look at the portfolio of journals published by the parent company of Podiatry Today, HMP Global. There are 12 journals and over 100 Online Digital and Learning Networks under its umbrella.

Summary

In today’s interview, we learned what it takes to become a medical editor. This is often a natural step for established writers to pursue.

Links for Today’s Episode:

• Dr. Jennifer Spector’s LinkedIn Page
• Podiatry Today
• HMP GLOBAL
• AAWP
• Purchase Your All Action Pass Videos and Bonuses from the 2024 Summit (Use Coupon Code 30-OFF)
• The Nonclinical Career Academy

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