Officers
Contact the AMWA North Central Chapter officers by emailing bod (at) list.amwanorthcentral (dot) org
President – Samuel Smith, MS
Sam has worked for prestigious institutions like Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and the National Institutes of Health and spent years as an award-winning journalist. Sam is proficient in the full spectrum of medical and scientific communications. He has developed strategic communications assessments and plans, academic manuscripts and books, regulatory documentation, sales and consumer communication, peer-to-peer communications, executive/C-suite communications, presentations, and business plans. Sam has developed content in a wide range of indications from oncology and cardiology to genomics and medical devices. He holds a master of science degree in journalism and a bachelor’s degree in English, pre-medicine, both from the University of Illinois.
President- Elect – Laura Chapin, PhD
Laura is a Medical Writer in the Urology division at Boston Scientific. Trained in a cell biology lab, Laura pivoted to a career in clinical research and healthcare analytics right after grad school. After spending 8 years in healthcare, she added freelance medical writing and editing to her work experience before joining Boston Scientific. Laura is interested in connecting with other writers and expanding her professional network. In her free time, Laura enjoys hiking and exploring county parks with her yellow lab.
Co-Treasurer – Alexandra Woods, MWC
Lexa is a manager of medical writing for PSI Pharma Support America, with 17 years of experience writing, editing, and supervising development of phase I, II, and III protocols, consent forms, clinical study reports, and summary documents for new drug applications. She previously served as the chapter Treasurer from 2011-2013.
Co-Treasurer – Anna Hayes
Anna is a Sr Medical Writer for Biofourmis, Inc, a health tech company focused on remote health management. Her background is in cardiac and hospice nursing. She also writes fiction, including 3 completed novels and several short stories. Anna has only been a medical writer for 2 years but has been able to get much experience writing/editing research study protocols, informed consents, guides for devices and apps, and all IRB submissions during that time. She is happy to be a part of the medical writing community.
During her personal time, Anna enjoys reading, cooking, playing games with her family (husband and 2 college-aged children), wrangling dogs (including 2 puppies), and DIY projects.
Co–Secretary – Sarah Kuyack
Sarah works as a freelance medical writer with interest in writing for human and animal health.She enjoys writing educational material like brochures, articles, and blog posts. Her goal is to one day work full-time for a hospital or clinic. Sarah switched from working in client service at an animal hospital to medical writing. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in English fromMetropolitan State University and has over 20 years of writing experience. When she isn’t writing, Sarah enjoys reading, watching movies, and relaxing with her two cats.
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Past Officers
President
2023–Samuel Smith
2022–Theodore Sadler
2022–Dr. Abayomi Olaniyi, MBBS, MPH, PhD
2021– Natalie Reirson, BS
2020–Michele Cleary, PhD
2018-2020– Lisa Poppenberg, MPH
2017-2018–Kendra Hyland, PhD
2016-2017–Rebecca Dahlberg, MD
2015-2016–Karen Bannick
2014-2015–Nissa Mollema, PhD
2013-2014–Ruth Taswell
2012-2013–Theresa King-Hunter
2011-2012—Karen Steinhilber
2010-2011—Michael Franklin
2009-2010—Kimberly McGhee, PhD
2008-2009—Randall Fritz, DVM
2007-2008—Brenda Hudson, PhD
2006-2007—Colleen Sauber
2005-2006—Anne Marie Weber-Main, PhD
2002-2004—Donna Bowlin
2000-2002—Paul Mamula, PhD
1998-1999—Eugene Millhouse, PhD
1994-1995—Barbara Gaynor
1992-1993—Mary Knatterud
1988-1989—James Kaufmann, PhD
1987-1988—Martha Heiberg
1986-1987—Angela Henriksen
1985-1986—Jack Key
1984-1985—Robert Howard
1983-1984—Deanna Servick
1982-1983—Kay Savoie
1981-1982—Guy Whitehead, PhD
1980-1981—David Florence, MD
1979-1980—John Callahan, MD
1978-1979—Stan Carlson
1978—Beth Grendahl
1977—Jack Key
1976—Barbara Cox
1974—Reuben Berman
President-Elect
2023-present Laura Chapin
2022-2023 Samuel Smith
2022–Theodore Sadler
2021-2022 Dr. Abayomi Olaniyi, MBBS, MPH, PhD
2019-2020–Nathalie Reierson
2018-2019 – Michele Cleary
2017-2018–Lisa Poppenberg
2016-2017–Kendra Hyland
2015-2016—Rebecca Dahlberg
2014-2015—Karen Bannick
2013-2014—Nissa Mollema
2012-2013—Ruth Taswell
2011-2012—Theresa King-Hunter
2010-2011—Karen Steinhilber
2009-2010—Michael Franklin
2008-2009—Kimberly McGhee, PhD
2007-2008—Randall Fritz, DVM
2006-2007—Brenda Hudson, PhD
2005-2006—Colleen Sauber
2004—Colleen Duffy
2001-2002—Colleen Duffy
1991-1992—Mary Knatterud
1988-1989—Jane Hodgson, MD
1987-1988—James Kaufmann, PhD
1986-1987—Martha Heiberg
1985-1986—Angela Henriksen
1984-1985—Jack Key
1983-1984—Robert Howard, MD
1982-1983—Deanne Servick
1981-1982—Kay Savoie
1980-1981—Guy Whitehead, PhD
1979-1980—David Florence, MD
1978-1979—John Callahan, MD
1978—Stan Carlson
1977—Beth Grendahl
1976—Jack Key
Vice President
1988-1990—Mary Knatterud (Twin Cities) and LeAnn Stee (Rochester)
1987-1988—Frances Munnings
1986-1987—Timothy Shea
1985-1986—Sheila Nauman Todd
1984-1985—Angela Henriksen
1983-1984—Jack Key
1982-1983—Judith Gunn Bronson
1981-1982—Deanne Servick
1980-1981—Kay Savoie
1980—Guy Whitehead, PhD
1979—John Hutcheson
1978-1979—David Florence, MD
1978—John Callahan, MD
1977—Stan Carlson
1976—Beth Grendahl
Secretary
2023 – present Sarah Kuyack
2021-2023 Laura Chapin
2020-2022 Kendra Hyland
2018-2020–Amelia Young
2016-2018—Lynelle Martinez
2014-2016—Naomi Ruff
2012-2014–Carolyn Peterson
2010-2012—Mary Pat McGinnis
2009-2010—Roxanne Landon
2007-2010—June Oshiro
2005-2008—Charyl Dutton Gibbs
2001-2004—Leslie Charles
Treasurer
2023 – present Anna Hayes, co-treasurer
2020-present Lexa Woods, co-treasurer
2016-2020—Ellen O’Malley
2015-2017—Venugopal “Venu” Thayanithy
2013-2015—Joy Frestedt
2011-2013—Alexandra Woods
2008-2011—Liz Davies, MSW
2008—Brenda Hudson, PhD
2006-2007—Cynthia Sparks
2005-2007—Leslie Charles
2001-2004—Ivar Arthur Zemmels, PhD
Secretary-Treasurer
1974-1996—Elaine Nye, PhD
