Suzanne Purkis

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Academic and medical editor, writer, and project manager specializing in social science, medicine, and STEM communications.

Nothing is more rewarding than helping clients produce publications that reflect their knowledge, expertise, and passion. Whether I’m editing a journal article, writing a report, coaching an author, or converting documents to plain language, I thrive on using my experience and skill to help make your documents shine. 

Most of my clients are non-governmental organizations, physicians, and researchers from the medical and social sciences. In addition to working with many independent authors and academics, my client list includes the Canadian Ophthalmological Society, the University of Saskatchewan, Decker Intellectual Properties, Liheng Medical Translation, the Canadian Journal of Higher Education, the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists, and Leadnow.

Current and past projects include:

• Two project charters for a national medical society (Writer)
• Position statement on Effects of Electronic Screens on Children’s Vision (Editor & Project Manager)
• Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology (Managing Editor)
• Report for a submission to the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Canada (Writer)
• Coaching a researcher through the peer review/revision process (Writing Coach & Editor)
• Position statement on Retinitis Pigmentosa (Writer & Project Manager)
• Series of research articles on law, gender, and disability (Editor)
• Journal article on PICC-related venous thrombosis (Editor)
• Master’s thesis in epidemiology (Editor)
• Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy (Production Editor)
• PhD dissertation on sports psychology (Editor)

I’m an active member of Editors Canada, and the Council of Science Editors. I have experience working with the following style guides: APA, AMA, Chicago Manual of Style, Vancouver Style, McGill Style, Canadian Style, and Editing Canadian English. I am also the founder of the Ottawa Freelancers networking group, and I have given presentations on networking at several editing conferences.

Follow me on Twitter and visit my website to learn more about me.

Recent client comments:

“I’ve been working on the website all day and just wanted to say thank you again. The descriptions are great — consistent, factual, awesome. I really appreciate that you were able to do this on such short notice."
     —Amara Possian, Campaign Manager, Leadnow.ca

“Thanks again for the great work on my manuscript. I am very happy — it reads so smoothly and elegantly!” 
     —Guy Beauchamp, professor, Université du Québec en Outaouais

"The book wouldn’t be what it is if it hadn’t been for your beautiful editing. You did a terrific job, and most of all I am very grateful that you kept my voice and style!"
     —Stefania Maggi, Author

"Highly professional, quick to respond to short notice requests and willing to tailor her efforts to suit individual needs, Suzanne provided outstanding editing services on my MBA thesis. On one occasion, with very short notice, she eagerly reviewed and returned my work to me so that I was able to revise and submit prior to deadline, contributing to my eventual success."
    —Tony Johnson, MBA

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Key words: Aboriginal, academic, AMA style, anthropology, APA style, cancer, CIDA, civil society, CMOS, conflict studies, CPD, creative writing, disability, disease, dissertation, epidemiology, environmental studies, economic development, ESL, first nations, gender, globalization, health, healthcare, identity politics, international development, journal, long-term illness, medical editor, medicine, neuroscience, NGO, non-profit, ophthalmology, organizations, peace studies, pharmacist, pharmacy, plain language, political science, program evaluation, psychology, research, social justice, social science, social work, sociology, sustainability, STEM, training, transitional justice, women's issues, writing coach