In the Spotlight: Meet Your 2026 AMWA NorCal President, Kim Jinnett
As we look toward a new year of growth, the Northern California Chapter is excited to introduce our 2026 President, Kim Jinnett, PhD. A medical sociologist and public health researcher by training, Jinnett brings 3 decades of experience in medical communication to her leadership role.
Outside of her work with AMWA, she is the founder of the GoodWorkRegistry, an organization she launched in 2019 to focus on prosocial work and evidence-based science regarding psychologically and physically safe workplaces.
As Jinnett describes it, "GoodWork is just treating people well and kindly and with respect and in being inclusive." Her professional experience centers on health equity and the social determinants of health, drawing on a research background that includes clinical and social outcomes for US veterans.
A Vision for Meaningful Engagement
After serving as the chapter’s Vice President in 2025, Jinnett is eager to broaden the ways members connect. One of her primary goals for 2026 is to increase chapter engagement by moving beyond traditional surveys to truly understand what members want from their community.
She explains: "If we could grow the engagement and have that shown either by . . . more people responding to the survey, more people coming to our events, whether they're online or in person, then I think I'd feel like . . . we're moving in the right direction."
Jinnett believes that professional development should also foster genuine human connection. To that end, she is passionate about incorporating hobbies and creativity into the chapter’s culture to keep members’ minds active and inspired.
A notable example of this vision is the launch of the chapter’s Craft Club. Jinnett explains: "I also want to kind of layer in the importance of hobbies . . . to keep your mind active and creative."
Contributing to the AI Conversation
Jinnett is interested in the evolving role of technology within the profession, particularly regarding how researchers and writers engage with emerging tools. She advocates for a "humans in the loop" approach, ensuring that human judgment remains the central pillar of medical communication.
Eager to connect with members to explore these tools strategically, Jinnett wants NorCal members to know that she is “very interested in . . . being part of . . . the leading groups that are really thinking about humans in the loop with use of AI and that it can be a tool for us to deepen our critical thinking skills and applications rather than doing that instead of us."
Beyond her interest in the chapter's collective learning, Jinnett also conducts her own research on the application of AI, viewing it as a tool that can be used to elevate professional work when used correctly.
Supporting the Next Generation of Volunteers
As President, Jinnett is dedicated to opening up new opportunities for volunteers to shape the future of the chapter. Whether members are passionate about training, networking, or committee leadership, she aims to provide the support needed to turn their ideas into reality.
Jinnett concludes: "I’m excited to be in a position where I can support the other committees, too, and what they want to do," emphasizing a leadership style rooted in collaboration.
About the author: Zahra Moosavi is the Founder and CEO of BitLab Medical Consulting. She brings over 10 years of experience in preclinical research, biotech start-up management, and scientific writing. Zahra is the Vice President of Science Writers and Communicators of Canada. She also serves as the Editor for the Pacemaker newsletter for the American Medical Writers Association Northern California Chapter and is a member of the chapter’s communications leadership team.
