Mark English, Freelance Medical Communications Specialist at Bellbird Medical Communications ends his #MedComms day looking out on another great view in New Zealand.

It was an early start for me today at Bellbird Medical Communications, as I had client comments on an acute myeloid leukaemia e-learning script for my regular UK client that needed to be turned around fairly quickly. I say ‘client’ but our relationship is much more than that. After working with this client for more than three years, I feel as if I am an integral part of the team. The job was fairly straight forward and given this is an e-learning script it allowed me to be creative and suggest a few funky interactive elements. Being a trained scientist used to rigid protocols, boring graphs and tables, I love it when I have the opportunity to add creative flair to a project. Other members of the Bellbird team have been involved in rapid turnaround projects for ASCO. Now that work is over, the brief reprieve has provided the opportunity for them to catch up on some administrative tasks.

I guess like a lot of people, #MedComms Day provides the opportunity to reflect on where you have come from and where you are going. I started out as a rookie medical writer in 2001 in the North West of England and now I find myself 16 years later in Wanaka in the South Island of New Zealand! I also have a small and growing company with my wife and business partner, and the opportunity to work with some very experienced medical writers who share our enthusiasm for oncology. There have been lots of challenges along the way – with Brexit and the slump in the pound being a particularly memorable part of this year – but I truly love my job. If you are reading this and are thinking about moving into #MedComms, just do it! You will love it, and you never know where it may take you… perhaps, even, to the ends of the world?

Here is my token New Zealand glamour shot taken an hour ago as I sat by Lake Hawea reflecting on my day. If you are ever passing by, please do get in touch (mark.english@bellbirdmedical.com). I am always keen to have a natter and a flat white…