Michael Cala

** ********* ****, ****** ****** NY 646-***-**** ac7fzq@r.postjobfree.com

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

December 2010– Present

Freelance writer

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organization – created public service informational video PSAs under the title: NATO: THE PRICE OF FREEDOM, explaining to an international audience how NATO is funded and how those funds are used. 10/23/17

New York Journal of Books - professional book reviewer on health, American history, music, photography and American culture (http://www.nyjournalofbooks.com/reviewer/michael-cala)

JDK Design (NJ health care ad agency) - create short video scripts, most recently for Covance’s next-generation laboratory risk based management tools

American Parkinson’s Disease Association - speeches, appeals and brochure copy for patient and caregiver audiences on the etiology and care of Alzheimer’s patients

Topspin Communications – medical copywriting and video scripting for automated and self-regulating transfusion equipment for dialysis and other procedures requiring state of the art technology

Sanofi - Created a variety of internal and external communications tools for various internal divisions of Sanofi, including its internal IT division.

Sovereign Health of California – Write and edit blog pieces on medicine and medical economics for consumer and clinical audiences, ranging from DNA testing protocols and Alzheimer’s-like anomalies, to various mental health and personality disorders including depression, borderline personality and ADHD, as well as metabolic anomalies, gene testing, substance abuse and healthcare funding.

American Society of Clinical Oncology - analyzed 30 abstracts from contributors for annual ASCO meeting; edited for continuity and logic, then created short audio scripts for each, which were then presented to participants via headphones and ultimately uploaded to ASCO Web site

September 2006 – August 2009

Associate Director of Communications, Department of Medicine

the Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York City

Implemented faculty and residency recruitment drives using video, still photography, PowerPoint, print, and Web tools

Co-produced a nationally distributed DVD/Web residency recruitment film for medical students. Six months after distribution, medical school applications increased by 17 percent over previous year. Co-winner, 2010 Telly Award (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZuNa2cRZHU)

Created consumer medical and health information Web and print products and video representing eleven specialty faculty practices within the Department of Medicine. Edited Web content submitted by faculty and colleagues

Co-created three annual reports contributing to prestigious national listings in Time, New York Magazine, and other publications. A significant portion of the report copy featured profiles of department heads and medical school faculty, as well as descriptions of current research in the various disciplines

Created fundraising materials (print and Web) for the Brookdale Center at Mount Sinai and provided photography as needed

June 2005 - June 2006

Staff Video and Multimedia Medical Content developer - Medsn, Inc. Interactive Media

Worked with thought leaders nationwide to develop “e-learning” video programs for Web and DVD distribution to physicians and allied health professionals in neurology, cardiology, psychiatry, immunology and geriatrics

Wrote and edited video scripts and storyboards and worked with video crews, art and programming staff

Conducted audio voiceover sessions, supervising pronunciation, emphasis and voicing

Created video programs and print materials on anxiety and mental health for a variety of clients, including Pfizer. Created PowerPoint, email blasts, Web content and other communications materials for multiple audiences.

December 2003 - March 2005

Senior Staff Medical Script Writer – CCG Metamedia (healthcare communications)

Interviewed and videotaped patients in focus group for new mental health medication

Wrote CME programs (video, multimedia) in cardiology and other subspecialties

Conducted field interviews with physicians, scientists and consumers; produced video segments for corporate clients on topics ranging from patient care to pharmaceutical treatment

Generated advertising and marketing copy (print, slide sets, Power Point, e-mail blitzes) for B2B, clinicians, and consumers

March 1991 – September 1993

Writer-Producer – The Network for Continuing Medical Education, Secaucus NJ

Senior script writer for the Network, writing video CME for family practice and subspecialists in cardiology, hypertension, immunology, gerontology and other subspecialties. I was the chief writer for the Video Journal of Dermatology, a quarterly video magazine consisting of three to five discreet segments on topics ranging from latex allergy and hemangioma treatment to diagnosing dermatologic allergic disorders. I was also charged with creating a six-volume program series for Sanofi Winthrop, titled Case Studies in Cardiology and Radiology. One of the 25-minute segments, “Hemodynamic Assessment in Cardiology,” won the Academy of Medical Film’s Best in Category, one of the top awards in the field.

1989-1991

Chief Writer and Producer, HEALTHLINK TELEVISION, Lifetime Cable Network

Wrote leads, tags, bumpers for on-camera talent including WABC-TV’s

Dr. Tim Johnson and Dr. Nancy Snyderman.

Researched and developed story ideas for TV segments aimed at parents on child care, illnesses, and education for broadcast.

Worked with field producers and on-air talent

Program not renewed after two seasons

1991-2001

Freelance projects as Writer-Producer – Shelter Rock Communications (multi-client editorial/video production)

Wrote, produced video/multimedia/print for medical CME, government, consumer and technology clients; DTP, DTC for agency and corporate projects

Wrote and produced a fundraising video for Community Resources (CRDD), which serves clients with intellectual deficits ; also wrote and supervised promo, PSAs, fundraising and educational products relating to mental health

Hired camera crews in multiple cities, worked with on-camera talent and supervised post-production editing and graphics for accredited video programs and multimedia scripts

Web design, writing, photography and production management for Discovery Health, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Gilda’s Club, Pacific Wellness Foods, Merck, Pfizer and agencies including Foot Cone Belding and Bozell Worldwide

Speechwriting for AT&T divisional CEOs; wrote for company publication, Government Issue

EDUCATION

B.A. degree, English (Hunter College); minor in Education

New York City and State teaching certification, JHS

EMT course leading to certification as NYS EMT (1989-1994)

LANGUAGES

Spanish, very good verbal / fair written command

Italian, fluent verbal (dialect)

AWARDS

Bronze Telly Award for co-producing nationally distributed medical student DVD

Academy of Medical Film prestigious Best in Category for credit-bearing educational film (CME) on human hemodynamics. Content approval: RSNA, Mayo Clinic

Potlatch Award, Best Annual Report, Hospital Publications Division

New York Art Director’s Award, editorial/photographic for community organizing/self help handbook (102 pp; 72 photographs), The Older Person’s Handbook (cf., Amazon.com)

Award for blues journalism from New York Blues Hall of Fame

ADDITIONAL SKILLS and INTERESTS

Professional editorial photography https://www.flickr.com/photos/michael_cala/sets/72157635664277635

Blog writing; research

Advanced computing skills: Microsoft Office Suite, Blitz mailing programs, HTML

Regular social media user (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn)

Former teacher NYC Board of Education

ESL teacher, Chinatown/Two Bridges

Former art school teacher (The Art Lab) – photography

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS (not in chronological order)

Project director/founder: The Headstone for Mamie Project, through which I raised over $8K to erect a headstone for 1920s blues pioneer Mamie Smith

Director of Educational Programs and Publications, The Staten Island Community Corporation, a New York City antipoverty agency

Art school instructor, darkroom photography and shooting techniques

Reader for the blind, New York City, during undergraduate years at Hunter College

Former emergency medical technician and licensed NYC junior high school teacher

Storefront school co-founder and teacher of ESL in the Chinatown/Two Bridges area; taught English verbal and basic writing skills to working adults of Asian and Hispanic heritage

Community organizer, Coney Island and the Bronx, for the Mutual Aid Project (MAP), underwritten by the Citizens’ Committee for New York and several foundations

Writer/editor/photographer, The Older Person’s Handbook, a 92 page illustrated book blueprinting intergenerational neighborhood programs such as urban gardens and intergenerational projects, aid to seniors, etc. The book won the New York Art Director’s Award for editorial and photographic content

Newsletter editor and parent writing instructor (pro bono) to the Gear Up Program at I.S. 49, Stapleton, Staten Island, an inner city middle school

One-person photography exhibition at local museum, featuring 26 pieces representing Coney Island in the 1970s

Staff writer (current), Blues Music Magazine –monthly music reviews and conducting interviews with major recording artists for print and Web

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