Author: Mychal Voorhees

Contact me about:
  1. Health literacy training
  2. Editing and simplifying patient materials
  3. Patient-provider communication best practices
  4. Reviewing materials for plain language
Scholarly Publishing

Need to describe your research impact beyond publications? Try the Translational Science Benefits Model

By , , , and — July 20, 2023

Are you struggling to describe how your research impacts the “real world”? Many folks know we have citation databases and other resources at Washington University to help researchers identify and describe the impact of their publications. Yet, increasingly researchers need to demonstrate their impact outside of academia. One resource we recommend is the Translational Science  [Read more]

Mastering Information

5 Tips to Simplify Academic Writing for General Audiences

By — May 8, 2023

As a researcher, you communicate your work to a wide variety of people daily. Besides engaging in jargon-rich discussions with your peers, you might share your research on a personal website, talk about it at a community event, or write about it on social media. Plain language can help you reach beyond academia and ensure  [Read more]

Mastering Information

Research or medical glossaries help simplify language, better communicate your work  

By — June 1, 2022

At the Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences’ 4th Annual Symposium, “Making an Impact, Shaping the Future,”  panelist Dr. L. Ebony Boulware, vice dean for translational science research at Duke University, emphasized the need to speak a common language, especially when working with community members and research participants. While this isn’t always an easy task, it  [Read more]

Mastering Information

Commit to using plain language in the new year

By — January 20, 2022

Have you wondered how to improve the documents and forms your department shares with research participants and patients? Plain language is one of the best tools to ensure your writing is clear and accessible to all. Research shows it can increase research participation, improve adherence, and overall, lead to better health outcomes.  A few of  [Read more]

Mastering Information

Key takeaways from #SciComm Week

By — October 21, 2021

Becker Library recently hosted its first #SciComm Week to launch its new Center for Health and Science Communication. Three exceptional science communicators shared their expertise for the series. Here are a few highlights from the presentations. Transforming Slide Design Melissa Marshall, Founder of Present Your Science, kicked off the week by sharing the assertion-evidence slide design  [Read more]

Announcements

Becker-curated vaccine resources, Chief Data Scientist’s official regional vaccine waiting lists

By — February 2, 2021

As we progress through the national COVID-19 vaccination process, access to reliable and credible vaccine information is critical for ourselves, our patients, and our community. To this end, Becker Library’s Guide to COVID-19 Resources is now updated with library-curated resources on the COVID-19 vaccine and its development, including WashU Chief Data Scientist Philip Payne’s list  [Read more]

Announcements

New Anti-Racism Resources Available

By — October 15, 2020

Becker Library has been working to collect more resources on anti-racism and the Black Lives Matter movement. These resources help inform on both the longtime struggles and current crises surrounding Black and indigenous people of color (BIPOC), and how we can all heal as a community. Whether it is confronting our own biases, learning about  [Read more]

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