Before making the change to freelance writer I spent my career in many writing capacities.
From 1978-85 I wrote feature articles for “The Neighbor” newspaper in Portland, Oregon. Every week I was given just a name and a phone number and I would interview the person and write an article. The goal was to show the heart of Northwest Portland through the people who lived and worked there. I had a lot of fun. During this time I also wrote several plays and sketches for local theaters and launched a, “Barnstorm Productions.” It was all very rewarding, but something was missing.
Graduate school called like a voice in the forest signaling a new path. In 1984, I moved to Carbondale, Illinois to earn my MFA in playwriting. My thesis play, “Hazardous Waste,” got a full production and earned the Christian H. Moe Playwriting Award. After graduate school, I continued to write plays for local theater and started a teaching career. First, I taught playwriting and theater in the correctional system. It was rewarding to see how theater could inspire people to change their life trajectory. Then, I taught writing and journalism at the high school level. I was also a reporter for the Murphysboro American newspaper.
Then the internet happened. The explosion of content and information inspired me to write full time. I was determined to find work writing in marketing and public relations, but it had to be in an industry that had a noble purpose.
My first position came in 1998 with Southern Illinois Healthcare. I was writer, photographer and editor of two monthly newsletters, one for employees, the other for the public. I was asked to do media relations and write all the copy for the website. I was especially proud of my work on a physician lobbying campaign, which won an award for best PR campaign in Illinois in 2005. I loved the work, but wanted to return to Oregon.
In 2007, I was hired by Asante Health System in Medford, Oregon to improve media relations. I launched a successful press release and media campaign, created an employee newsletter and developed new publications for the community. Asante’s public image was greatly improved by my work. There were many satisfying moments, but none greater than the day I received a letter from a person who read one of my articles about the warning signs of heart disease. It prompted her to see her doctor. He referred her to a cardiologist who diagnosed an impending heart attack. “You saved my life,” she said.
But there was still something missing. I wanted to lead.
In 2014, I became director of marketing and public relations for Rogue Community College. I led a dynamic team of marketing and recruitment professionals into the digital world: introducing customer relationship management; email marketing; blogging and content marketing to the college. I was copy editor for all the campaigns and edited the website and all print and digital publications. This was the most exciting part of my career. I was especially proud of developing a phone app for the college and creating an all-new brand campaign. I was back in education, helping people to find their paths to careers.
Then the pandemic happened. In 2021, I chose to re-enter healthcare where my writing and communications skills could help healthcare workers, patients and the public. I returned to Asante as the marketing manager. In this position, I led a very talented marketing team in several campaigns, including public information campaigns to help people make the best health decisions. I started a new health blog (health.asante.org) and wrote scripts and copy for all campaigns, produced handbooks and edited the website.
In 2024, I realized the one thing I have always loved most in my work was writing. I decided to start my own freelance writing service, “Iron Horse.” It’s an exciting new chapter.