Elizabeth Katz, a member of the Association for Women in Communications Detroit Chapter, was thrilled to learn in June that she had been invited to join the University of Michigan’s Department of Family Medicine as a part-time science writer.

Katz previously spent nine years at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit as a member of the Marketing and Communications Department and editor of the Institute’s Hope magazine. Part of her job was promoting the basic and clinical scientific researchers who conduct cancer research.

She also worked on a graduate certificate in health communication and a master’s degree in Public Relations and Organizational Communications at Wayne State University, graduating in 2018. While doing that, she read her fair share of research articles, focusing on health communication. She was even successful at obtaining Institutional Review Board approval to conduct her own human participation research into the effects of companions on the doctor-patient relationship among those with cancer.

She feels all of this played a part in finding a place at Michigan Medicine’s Department of Family Medicine, where she works with the more than 25 researchers who conduct studies into a range of health issues that affect individuals across the age spectrum – from pediatrics to geriatrics, with a special emphasis on those living with physical disabilities.

“It was a real accomplishment and a source of pride to take the skills that I honed at Karmanos and Wayne State University, and roll them into a job at U-M that allows me to help translate research into stories that make science understandable to general audiences,” she said. “As a writer, it’s always been important for me to work for organizations that serve to better the community. As a writer, I’m fortunate that I learn new things every day and that I’m surrounded by intellectually brilliant and caring people, whether they’re in research, hospital administration, or those individuals like me who support them in a communications capacity.”

“I am extraordinarily proud to be part of Michigan Medicine. I believe if you combine your passion with hard work, tenacity, and use your skills to help others, you’ll ultimately be successful.”

Katz has spent approximately 25 years as a communicator, starting as a print journalist for daily and weekly newspapers in metro Detroit. She has worked in Public Relations, Marketing and Media Relations, and currently does free-lance writing for the Detroit Jewish News and Detroit Country Day School. She has also worked as a book editor and nurtures her own love of fiction writing when time allows.

Katz has discovered excellent networking, skill-building and mentoring opportunities with AWC’s Detroit Chapter. She has volunteered on the Public Relations Committee and served as interim vice president of the PR committee for half a year.

“I’ve really enjoyed meeting so many inspirational and caring women in this organization,” she said. “From the first AWC networking event I attended in the summer of 2018, I could feel how close-knit the members were. I knew this was a great organization and I appreciate the members who have helped me along my path as a communicator.”

Congratulations, Liz!