I started reporting for CNN in 1980 when the network was only 6 weeks old. I stayed for 17 years, including a decade as Medical Correspondent. Click for more info on some of my CNN stories and programs. |
Information that is accurate and presented in the proper context is the first necessary ingredient of knowledge. As a Board Member and former President of the Association of Health Care Journalists. I am working to help colleagues do a better job covering our beat, so that individuals and nations can develop their knowledge of health and health care.
In addition to supporting better coverage of health and medicine through AHCJ, I am a reviewer at HealthNewsReview.org Working under the leadership of publisher and Univ. of Minnesota journalism professor Gary Schwitzer, we use 10 criteria to grade stories about medical tests and treatments. |
|
Television
Taking the Pulse This series aired in June 2001.
Taking the Pulse delves into important health topics that most programs leave untouched. It's not an advice program helping publicize the latest drugs or surgeries. Taking the Pulse explores the fundamental issues that help determine why we are healthy... or not. What are the political and economic forces that determine who gets health insurance, and what kind of insurance they get? What can be done about the social stigma and myths that contribute to the staggering toll of suicide on our youth?
Unless you're fluent in Japanese, you'll have to listen hard to hear my narration of this series on alternative approaches to preventing and treating cancer. In any case, the series produced by Kyodo TV aired only on the Fuji TV network in Japan. It was interesting traveling the US with a Japanese crew. Even though the director spoke some English (though certainly better than my Japanese,) we were able to communicate in the universal language of TV shoots.
I have written and produced episodes of "Medical Detectives" for The Learning Channel. The series portrays mysteries (both criminal and epidemiological) that are solved by scientific investigations by real-life "Quincys." "With Every Breath" and "Deadly Formula" repeat occasionally. Check the "Medical Detectives" schedule.
|
Radio
Marketplace Radio commentaries
What a volcano has to do with career choices
If cars were sold like health care coverage! |
Web
In recent years, I've written for web sites including www.the-scientist.com, ReutersHealth.com, and a site that was folded into WebMD called the Sapient Health Network
|
Print
Oncology Times has given me the opportunity to write a regular column about medicine in the media... and to dig deep into some complex medical issues of the day. For example, why does the nation invest relatively little in research on the number one cancer killer: lung cancer? And while some ads may imply whole-body CT scanning can find treatable cancers early, there is little science to suggest that healthy people benefit... and they may end up being harmed by unnecessary radiation exposure and invasive medical follow-up.
In "The Medical Science of House, M.D." I explained some basics of medicine and health care to television viewers. In my ScriptDoctor columns I try to explain television to physicians, nurses and other health care professionals.
The column debuted in the Dec. 10, 2006 issue.
Columns can be accessed also via the "Selected Articles" link at www.oncology-times.com
Other articles and series:
THE ONCOLOGY TIMES INTERVIEW: Brian Druker, Now Director of a Cancer Institute, on His Bold Plan to Make Oregon's Cancer Mortality Rate the Lowest in the Nation
I was the Tobacco Issues Editor of "InTouch" Magazine during its run. My regular column, "InFlamed," delved into the deeper issues of tobacco... the leading cause of preventable death.
George Harrison: Where was the anger over tobacco cutting off his music?
Tobacco: There is so much to learn and so many lives at stake.
Tobacco Taxes: Good for smokers?
"Safer" cigarettes: Are they really?
Selected Cover Stories
A Chat with Lance Armstrong about surviving cancer.
Can We Stop Teen Smoking?
Some of these items can be found on my Tobacco page.
|
I am available for speaking engagements on a variety of topics involving health and media coverage.
Click for a selection of suggested topics.
|
Home * House MD * Grey's Anatomy * E-mail * Bio * Resume |