Welcome!

I am Valerie DeBenedette, an experienced health and science writer. My work has appeared in magazines, newspapers, newsletters, websites, and books. I have also created or written brochures and marketing copy.

 

There are few areas of medicine that I have not written on. In addition, I have written about health policy and politics, the pharmaceutical industry, and the needs of caregivers. Although I specialize in writing about health and medicine, I have also written about food, travel, people, local government and politics, business, and humor.

If you are looking for a writer who turns out clear, concise, informative and entertaining work, contact me. You can reach me at valdeben@comcast.net.

You can buy a copy of my book, Caffeine, published by Enslow Publishing, at Barnes and Noble.

I write frequently for Health Behavior News Service, which is run by the Center for the Advancement of Health, and Drug Topics Magazine, which is the leading magazine for pharmacists and the pharmacy industry.

Currently, I am also blogging about some health concerns of my own. You can read the blog (and add comments if you want) at Body Parts.

When I am not writing, I am usually either reading, knitting, or watching movies.

 

Here is my resume:

Valerie DeBenedette

19 Roslyn Road

Lake Carmel, NY 10512

E-mail: valdeben@comcast.net

Qualifications

 

- Is an effective and experienced health and medical writer who is able to clearly convey complicated information.

 

- Has covered most areas of medicine and has also written about health insurance concerns and regulatory and legislative matters.

 

- Has written for a wide range of publications including newspapers, trade magazines, women’s magazines, consumer health magazines, and newsletters, as well as a book for young people.

 

- Has also written public relations and publicity materials such as newsletters, press releases, and brochures.

 

- Has written for a wide range of audiences, such as physicians, pharmacists, patients, the general public, and young people and on many topics, including people, business, food, exercise, and travel.

 

- Able to acquire new technical skills easily. Already familiar with Windows and Macintosh platforms, as well as Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, Quark, Excel, and FoxPro.

 

Work Experience

September 1986-present

Freelance writer. Writes articles on health and medicine for Women's Day Specials, Cooking Light, Health, McCall's, Modern Maturity, Sight; general articles for Guide Publications, clinical medical articles for The Physician and Sportsmedicine, Cosmetic Dermatology, Gastroenterology and Endoscopy News, Orthopedics and Sportsmedicine News, Cancer Reporter, National Cancer Bulletin, Clinical Immunology Spectrum, and other medical publications; pharmaceutical trade articles for Drug Topics, Drug Store News, Pharmacy Practice News, Hospital Pharmacy Report, and other magazines.

March 1998-December 2001

Science Editor, Medical Data Management (formerly Reliance Medical Information), 304 Taconic Road, Greenwich, CT 06830. Wrote synopses for 48 Hours on Health and Medicine (http://www.48hours.net ) and answered reader questions. Also conducted audio interviews of health professionals on various topics.

1996

Caffeine (1996) for Enslow Publishing.

1988-1992

Contributing Editor, The Physician and Sportsmedicine.

1991-1998

Staff Writer, Part -Time, Gannett Suburban Newspapers, 1825 Commerce St., Yorktown Heights, N.Y. 10598. Wrote Our Town column, news articles, and feature articles.

1984-1986

News Editor, Medical Advertising News, 505 Eighth Ave., New York, NY. Wrote news and feature articles on medical advertising and pharmaceutical industry.

1983-1984

Account Executive, Daniel J. Edelman, Inc., 1775 Broadway, New York, NY. Wrote press releases, set up media tours, contacted press representatives. Worked on Inderal, Betadine, and Uniphyl accounts.

1982-1983

Staff Reporter, Murray Communications, 95 Madison Ave., New York, NY. Wrote news articles for Ophthalmology Times, Optometry Times, Cardiology Times, Dermatology Times, and Urology Times.

1978-1982

Desk Editor, Senior Desk Editor, Elsevier Science Publishing Co., 52 Vanderbilt Ave., New York, NY. Copy edited seven science journals; proofread and dummied pages; handled art.

1976-1977

Copy Editor, American Institute of Physics, 335 E. 45th St., New York, NY. Copyedited Physical Review manuscripts.

Education

B.S., 1976, Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT. Major in Biology with minor in Chemistry. Extensive liberal arts background.

Member, National Association of Science Writers

References and writing samples available on request.