Roxanna Guilford-Blake

Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083
Phone (404) 297-0885
E-mail: roxannaguilfordblake@yahoo.com


[ EXPERIENCE ] [ SKILLS AND TALENTS ] [ EDUCATION ] [ WRITING SAMPLES ]

Experienced writer seeks challenging freelance assignments


My name is Roxanna Guilford-Blake, and I am an experienced writer and editor.

I focus on healthcare and the business of healthcare, and I have experience writing about everything from biotechnology to health literacy. Adept at writing for consumer and professional audiences, I can address practice-management issues for physicians, and I can simplify the intricacies of health savings accounts for consumers.
 
In fact, my experience demonstrates that I can write about almost anything: I have served as editor of a newsletter for PR professionals and another one for property tax managers.

I'm an excellent writer, a thorough researcher and a careful editor. I'm deadline-focused, energetic and flexible. I’ve run my own business for almost a decade, so I understand the need to develop quality product to your specs on your deadline.

If you would like to discuss assignments with me, please e-mail me at roxannaguilfordblake@yahoo.com.





EXPERIENCE


Freelance Writer
Decatur, Georgia 1998 to present
Develop, research and write articles on vast array of topics
    • Editor of Consumer Driven Healthcare and contributor to Private Practice Management.
    • Contributor to Burrill & Company’s BIOTECH 2007—Life Sciences: A Global Transformation and the forthcoming BIOTECH 2008.
    • Other clients and publications include NewsRx, Hospitalist and Inpatient Management Report, Physician Profiling and Behavior Change Report, Medical Device Daily Perspectives, National Women's Health Resource Center, Access Control & Security Systems Integration Magazine, Apparel Industry Magazine, Atlanta Business Chronicle, The Christian Science Monitor, the Arthritis Foundation, CCH, HCPro, Blue House, Global Success Corporation, National Strategy Group, Ad Agency Insider and Managing Partner.
    • Contributing editor, Property Tax Alert.
    • Former editor of PR Agency Insider.
    • Areas of expertise include healthcare, health and biotech policy, business, the arts, legislative issues, corporate property tax and practice-management strategies.
    Editor/Communications Director
    Management Insights, Inc., Dallas 1997 to 1999
    Responsible for internal and external communications, publications and research
    • Initiated, developed and produced biweekly fax newsletter on the Work Opportunity Tax Credit and related issues
    • Worked with CEO and CFO to develop policies and procedures manual
    • Produced marketing and client-support materials, including prospect letters, promotional fliers and client-information guides
    • Conducted extensive library and Internet research on topics ranging from initial public offerings to welfare reform
    • Monitored legislation pertaining to the Work Opportunity Tax Credit
    • As a "writer on call," wrote and edited a variety of materials upon request
    • Managed special projects as needed

    Editor
    Professional Newsletters, Atlanta 1995 to 1997
    Responsible for producing (writing, editing and organizing) three eight-page newsletters a month: twice-monthly State Income Tax Alert and once-a-month Property Tax Alert
    • Monitored state and local tax developments (regulatory, legislative and judicial)
    • Developed story ideas and cultivated sources
    • Conducted reader calls to determine editorial content
    • Represented the company at national conferences
    • Edited the copy of fellow editors
    • Coordinated special projects as needed
    • Assumed additional production and supervisory responsibilities as needed
    • Launched Property Tax Alert
      • Established editorial advisory board
      • Mapped editorial strategy
      • Continued to write and edit the monthly publication

    Public Relations Consultant
    Grady Health System, Atlanta 1995
    Responsible for internal and external communications
    • Produced weekly employee newsletter
    • Created messages for on-hold message system
    • Wrote press releases and responded to media inquiries
    • Helped design and execute campaign to prepare employees for accreditation survey
    • Provided writing, research and editorial support as needed

    Communications Coordinator/Managing Editor
    Georgia Dental Association (GDA), Atlanta 1993 to 1994
    Produced GDA Action, the association's monthly journal
    • Generated story ideas
    • Wrote and edited copy
    • Conducted all research and interviews for articles
    • Managed advertising placement and sales, increasing advertising by 30 percent
    • Developed cover and layout design in cooperation with the printer
    • Increased readership with livelier, more readable copy and provocative cover designs
    Handled association's internal communications and other day-to-day operations
    • Produced newsletters, brochures and the Annual Directory
    • Wrote the association's strategic plan
    • Helped plan and execute the 1994 GDA Annual Meeting
    • Ghost-wrote articles, letters and other pieces for GDA members, officers and staff
    • Worked with GDA members and officers in a variety of capacities
    • Assisted executive director with legislative efforts
    • Provided writing, research, public relations and editing support as needed

    News Editor and Staff Writer
    Neighbor Newspapers, Metro Atlanta 1989 to 1993
    Promoted to News Editor in 1991:
    • Responsible for writing, editing and production of suburban weekly newspaper
    • Supervised staff of three (two reporters and a photographer)
    • Edited copy, and wrote headlines and captions
    • Generated and assigned story and photo ideas
    • Created and sustained positive relationships with government and community leaders
    • Continued to perform most staff writer responsibilities:
      • Covered a variety of beats, including state government, local politics, education, economic development and business
      • Researched and wrote news and feature stories




    Other Skills and Experience





    EDUCATION




    Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia: Master's degree; GPA of 3.7


    Davidson College, Davidson, North Carolina: Graduated Cum Laude (BA)



    [ EXPERIENCE ] [ SKILLS AND TALENTS ] [ EDUCATION ] [ WRITING SAMPLES ]