A group of medical journalists has earned multiple awards and fellowships for their reporting on key healthcare issues, including digital health tools, clinical trials, and new treatments. Their work has been recognized by the Digital Health Awards for content aimed at healthcare professionals, as well as the NIHCM Foundation Trade Journalism Award for reporting that drives improvements in U.S. healthcare systems. The journalists have also received fellowships from the Association of Health Care Journalists, the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism, and the National Press Foundation, reinforcing their dedication to thorough healthcare coverage.
One reporter documented the disarray at the CDC during a shooting, detailing the sounds of gunfire while covering the event. Another shared their experience surviving leukemia through participation in a clinical trial, raising concerns about whether future patients would face the same level of access. A photographer who required a blood transfusion during a medical emergency later donated plasma to assist others in need.
A writer who shaved their head in 2023 later reflected on the emotional impact of hair loss during treatment. Their personal accounts—such as surviving two school shootings and advocating for stricter gun control measures—illustrate the team’s approach to blending personal narratives with clinical reporting.
The team’s investigative work includes a series on GLP-1 inhibitors, assessing whether these new weight-loss medications meet their advertised potential. They also examined the Alzheimer’s blood test developed by Quest Diagnostics, which has sparked debate among medical experts. A video series featured Dr. Ashish Jha discussing the official end of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
A data-driven fellowship supported reporting on changing regulations for youth gender-affirming care, while another project explored access to opioid treatment during pregnancy. The team also covered rare diseases, including a fellowship focused on diagnostics and emerging therapies, where patients often endure years-long delays for accurate diagnoses.
Additional reporting highlighted stem cell eye injections costing up to $20,000, with warnings that the procedure might worsen patients’ vision. The team investigated private equity’s expanding role in cardiology, questioning whether physicians should participate in such financial arrangements. A series on for-profit nursing programs analyzed their advantages and disadvantages, while another examined the 2022 Damar Hamlin incident and its broader implications for healthcare discussions.
Journalists created interactive tools, including an AI-powered medical information platform that delivers personalized healthcare updates. A video series featured Dr. Mike debating medical misinformation with Dr. Paul Offit. Their coverage of medical gaslighting, substance use disorders among doctors, and healthcare scams demonstrates a commitment to exposing systemic issues.
One series questioned the scientific validity of claims about transmissible Alzheimer’s, while another explored controversies surrounding the autism spectrum and vaccines. The team also reported on transrectal prostate biopsies, arguing that the infection-linked procedure may no longer be necessary for many patients.
A blog series on AI in medicine directly challenged the notion that chatbots can serve as reliable medical advisors. Another project examined whether oligonucleotide infusions could treat conditions like Lyme disease and cancer. A separate piece analyzed how journal conflict-of-interest policies vary significantly across different publications.