Commander Dagoberto “Dago” Salinas is a distinguished healthcare leader, Navy Nurse Corps veteran, author, and mission-driven entrepreneur dedicated to advancing clinical education, patient safety, and workforce transformation. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17. Dago’s naval career began aboard the USS Valley Forge program. While enrolled in the Navy, Dago earned his BSN from the University of Texas at Austin (2005) and his MSN (2016) from the University of Pennsylvania. After over 20 years in the Navy, Dago retired in 2023 as a commander.
As a nurse, Dago cared for wounded soldiers: first in Bethesda, MD (2005 to 2008), Okinawa (2008 to 2011), San Diego (2011 to 2014), Jacksonville (2016 to 2019), and San Antonio (2019 to 2023). He also completed two deployments to Afghanistan from 2010 to 2011 and from 2013 to 2014. Since his retirement, Dago founded CLINSPEC Solutions, Co-Founded ClinOps, and is the Chief Operating Officer of ComplyDash. He is a pioneer in extended reality training, developing AI-powered tools, and streamlining and automating compliance management, all to transform healthcare.
We welcome everyone to these discussions and encourage all levels of AMWA members to join. You do not have to have read the book.
The event will be online, and a link to the discussion space will be provided.
Come and join us!
Thursday, March 5, 2026
6:00 pm CST
Are you aware that your insurance needs change when you become a freelance writer? When you freelance, you become responsible for your own insurance coverage. It is too important to leave to chance, and you need insurance protection. In this webinar hosted by the GCAC chapter, experienced insurance agent Dave Galla will answer your questions about the type of insurance you need, where to purchase it, and how owning it can protect your reputation, livelihood, and create peace of mind. We hope you will join us!
About the Speaker
David Galla is the president and owner of R.J. Galla Company, Inc. The company provides commercial insurance to small businesses and personal insurance to homeowners throughout the US. Dave has over 40 years of experience safeguarding clients’ businesses across a range of industries, including professional services, retail, construction, manufacturing, and education. He is here to help you determine what insurance you need to protect your business.
Calling all AMWA-GCAC members! You’re invited to our upcoming networking event in Arlington Heights, IL. We’ll be enjoying a lunch of locally inspired dishes and chatting with our fellow medical communicators at:
This is a “no-host” event. Please come prepared to pay for any meals or beverages you consume.
We’ll end the event with an optional, informal book exchange. If you’re interested, bring a book (any genre!) to share with fellow attendees.
Click the button below to RSVP or contact Natasha Fallico with any questions.
You are invited to our upcoming networking event at Bandit Tacos and Coffee. Enjoy an evening of food, drinks, and good conversation with your fellow medical communicators at:
Bandit Tacos and Coffee
640 W Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703
Tuesday, February 3rd, 5-7 pm
To help people progress their goals in the new year, we’ll have a prize raffle for a FREE virtual coaching session with Laura Comilla (https://lauracomilla.com/). The session is a $200 value and is great for people navigating a career transition, chasing a dream, or seeking clarity for their next step.
Attendees may enter the raffle drawing for this free coaching session. We will hold the drawing at the end of the event.
This is a “no host” event. Please come prepared to pay for meals or beverages you consume.
Click the button below to RSVP or to contact Christine Weisshaar with any questions.
About the Facilitator
Barbara Gastel, MD, MPH, is a professor at Texas A&M University, where she directs the graduate program in science journalism. She also teaches in the University of Chicago certificate program in medical writing and editing. She is lead author of the most recent editions of How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper, and her other publications include the Health Writer’s Handbook. She has received top awards and recognitions from the American Medical Writers Association, the Council of Science Editors, and the Board of Editors in the Life Sciences.
We welcome everyone to these discussions and encourage all levels of AMWA members to join. You do not have to have read the book.
The event will be online, and a link to the discussion space will be provided
Come and join us!
Meet and connect with other AMWA members in the area and enjoy a night out. Bring your business cards, ideas, and questions about medical writing.
After dinner, Laura Comilla will conduct a workshop on one of her favorite self-help books – 5 Ways to Embrace ‘Let Them’ – a best selling book by Mel Robbins. This workshop will explore ways to shift perspective, let go of things we can’t control, and focus on what really matters.
Date: Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Time: 5:30 to 10 PM CT
Where: The Liven Room, 7013 N Milwaukee Ave., Niles, IL 773-758-6300
Cost for Workshop: $25/person Price includes dinner and the fee for the workshop.
About Laura
Laura Comilla’s greatest joy comes from combining travel, trails, culture, and coaching. She has traveled to over 55 countries, explored hundreds of hiking trails, and immersed herself in diverse cultures. Additionally, while working for 28 years in medical device firms, she has researched and designed development programs, and coached others to achieve their aspirations.
On the surface, many would say Laura is a successful mom, wife, athlete, and career woman. However, like many professionals and caregivers, her days turned into nothing more than a “to-do list.” This realization led her to seek tools and processes to balance her own life, develop a purpose, document a greatness plan, and attain a sense of genuine fulfillment. For over ten years, she has crafted and refined these tools. And now she shares them on her Greatness Retreats.
Are you heading to Phoenix for the 2025 AMWA Medical Writing & Communication Conference? Connect with your fellow AMWA-GCAC chapter members at our annual conference dinner!
718 N Central Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85004
This is a no-host event for dinner and drinks but the chapter will have appetizers at the table.
Meet in the hotel lobby at 5:00 PM to walk to the venue (under a 10-minute walk). Let us know if you can join us!
Calling all AMWA-GCAC members! You’re invited to our upcoming networking event in Downtown Chicago. We’ll be enjoying a lunch of locally inspired dishes and chatting with our fellow medical communicators at:
Beatrix Fulton Market
834 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
Saturday, October 25th, 12 – 2 PM
This is a “no host” event. Please come prepared to pay for any meals or beverages you consume.
Click the button below to RSVP or contact Natasha Fallico with any questions.
About the Facilitator
Teresa McNally is a regulatory writer and the current President of AMWA-GCAC. She loves to learn about all aspects of health and disease, and particularly enjoyed this book. She has enjoyed helping Sharon Rogers facilitate book discussions over the last few years.
We welcome everyone to these discussions and encourage all levels of AMWA members to join. You do not have to have read the book, and we look forward to hearing how tuberculosis may have impacted your life or the life of your ancestors.
The event will be online, and a link to the discussion space will be provided
Come and join us!
Join us at our upcoming networking event at the Memorial Union Terrace. Enjoy an evening of food, drinks, and good conversation with your fellow medical communicators at:
Memorial Terrace Union
800 Langdon St. Madison, WI 53706
Thursday, August 7th, 5:30 – 7:00 PM
This is a “no-host” event. Please come prepared to pay for any meals or beverages you consume.
Register below.
Contact Christine Weisshaar with any questions.
Please Join Us!
AMWA-GCAC Virtual Conference
Friday, May 16, 2025
9 AM – 4 PM CDT
This is your chance to connect with fellow medical writers and gain valuable knowledge about advancements in medical writing. Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting out, this event promises engaging discussions, expert-led sessions, and networking opportunities! Register below.
Thank you to our generous sponsors:
Registration fee: $60
Early bird discount: $50 if registered before 4/21/25
Book Selection: Journal of A Black Queer Nurse by Britney Daniels
Thursday, May 8
6 PM
Book Facilitator: Jeff Zagoudis
Jeff Zagoudis is a freelance writer, journalist and editor who has primarily covered healthcare news for the last 10 years. He has had the privilege of sharing stories about and for healthcare professionals in specialties including radiology, cardiology, radiation therapy, women’s health and, most recently, emergency nursing. He also enjoys helping aspiring medical writers craft an approachable message through storytelling.
Happy New Year AMWA-GCAC members!
You are invited to our upcoming networking event in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Come enjoy an afternoon of contemporary Italian dishes and good conversation with your fellow medical communicators at:
Neoteca
130 S Hough St, Barrington, IL 60010
Saturday, March 8th, 12-2pm
This is a “no host” event. Please come prepared to pay for any meals or beverages you consume.
Click the button below to RSVP or to contact Natasha Fallico with any questions.
You are invited to our upcoming networking event at the Memorial Union Rathskeller. Enjoy an evening of food, drinks, and good conversation with your fellow medical communicators at:
Memorial Union Rathskeller
800 Langdon St, Madison, WI 53706
Wednesday, February 26th 5-7pm
This is a “no host” event. Please come prepared to pay for any meals or beverages you consume.
Click the button below to RSVP or to contact Christine Weisshaar with any questions.
Join us to discuss this book at 12 PM CT on January 29, 2025.
About the Book
Breaking into CME can be overwhelming. With so many acronyms(like CME, CE, CPD, IPCE), accreditation bodies, and industry standards, it’s easy to feel lost and discouraged.
But what if you had a clear roadmap that guides you through the core competencies for CME writers and shows you a clear path to success?
Write CME Roadmap is your personal GPS, guiding you toward the express land of a specialized medical writing niche.
About the Author
Alexandra Howson Ph.D., CHCP, FACEhp is a CME/CE writer and educator who teaches best practices in continuing education content for health professionals. She was a trauma OR nurse for several years before working as faculty at the Universities of Edinburgh and Aberdeen. She has published CME-related scholarship in peer-reviewed journals and teaches in Professional Certificate Programs at the University of Chicago. Alex hosts Write Medicine, a weekly podcast exploring best practices in creating continuing education content for health professionals. Her most recent book is WriteCME Roadmap: How to Thrive in CME with No Experience, No Network, and No Clue (Tilt Publishing, 2024).
Friday, May 16th
Interested in presenting? We want to hear from you!
We are seeking presenters with expertise in a broad range of topics including (but not limited to):
Career development
Project management
AI tools
Freelancing
Health literacy
Lean authoring
Publications
Regulatory
Continuing Medical Education
Marketing
Please provide information in Google Sheet link below by January 2nd, 2025.
Calling all medical communicators! Please join us for a free, 1-hour, online webinar hosted by the University of Chicago Professional Development Program. We will focus on skill development through the U of C Professional Education program and discuss the benefits of the American Medical Writers Association (hashtag#AMWA). These insights, options, and opportunities will help you to build your hashtag#career.
Speakers:
Karine Bravais, MA, MS
Director of Professional Development Programs, UCPE
Sharon Rogers, PhD, ELS
Freelance Medical Writer, Owner Core Content Network
Kathy Adamson, DVM
Freelance Medical Writer
Owner KMA Veterinary & Medical Writing
Who Should Attend: Students, experienced writers, healthcare professionals, and professionals considering a career change.
Come and join the AMWA-GCAC Conference get together at
Cafe Beignet
311 Bourbon St.
There will be a variety of New Orleans Specialties, Seafood, and Sandwiches available for purchase. Dessert will be provided by the AMWA-Greater Chicago Area Chapter. RSVP if you’d like to join us!
Look for the AMWA-GCAC sign in the Marriot Lobby. We will gather at 5:30 p.m. and walk as a group to the venue.
You are invited to our upcoming networking event in the Fulton Market District of Chicago for an afternoon of tapas and good conversation with your fellow medical communicators at:
Boqueria Restaurant and Spanish Tapas Bar
807 W. Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
Saturday, October 5th 1-3pm
How to get there:
Public transportation:
CTA Train Pink or Green Line stop at Morgan Station
1.1 mile walk from Union Station
1.3 mile walk from South Shore Metra Station
Driving: Closest parking garage available on 215 N. Halsted
This is a “no host” event. Please come prepared to pay for any meals or beverages you consume.
Click the button below to RSVP or to contact Jenny Dimitroff with any questions.
You are invited to join us at our upcoming networking event at the Terrace for an evening of food, drinks, and good conversation with your fellow medical communicators at:
Memorial Union Terrace
800 Langdon St, Madison, WI 53706
Tuesday, October 1st 5-7pm
We will be out on the Terrace. If there is inclement weather, enter the Memorial Union and come to the Rathskeller.
This is a “no host” event. Please come prepared to pay for any meals or beverages you consume.
Click the button below to RSVP or to contact Christine Weisshaar with any questions.
Calling all Cheeseheads! Following feedback from the recent chapter survey we are holding a Wisconsin event for both chapter members and non-members. Come network and ring in the warmer weather at Lion’s Tail Brewing (Wauwatosa location) from 1-3 pm. This is a no-host event.
Time: 1-3 PM Central Time
Address: 8520 W North Ave, Wauwatosa, WI 53226
Please contact Christopher Chen (christopherwchen19@gmail.com) with any questions or to RSVP. Hope to see you there!
Join us on Thursday, May 2 at 7 pm to discuss “Breaking Through,” a powerful memoir from Katalin Karikó, winner of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, whose decades-long research led to the COVID-19 vaccines.
The facilitator for this discussion will be Vincent Ling, Senior Director at the Center for External Innovation at Takeda Pharmaceuticals. Vincent has had the pleasure of working with Katalin Karikó and is a huge fan of her work
Event details:
Thursday May 2nd 7pm
Virtual (click here to register)
Contact Sharon Rogers (srogers@corecontentnetwork.com) with Questions and Suggestions for Future Book Discussions
