About AHCJ: General News

Appleby named to fill vacant board position Date: 04/27/07

COLUMBIA, MO. – Julie Appleby, a reporter with USA Today, has been named to the board of directors of the Association of Health Care Journalists and the Center for Excellence in Health Care Journalism.

Appleby was elected by the current board to fill a position vacated by Suzanne Havala Hobbs of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Hobbs recently resigned, citing a significant increase in duties as a professor and director of the Doctoral Program in Health Leadership at UNC.

“We will miss Sue’s leadership on freedom of information issues and her dedication to association goals,” board president Trudy Lieberman said.

Appleby is not new to AHCJ board efforts. She helped launch and served for three years as co-chair of the AHCJ Contest Committee.

“Julie’s selfless volunteer work has helped the Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism grow in importance and prestige,” Lieberman said. “She will be a fine addition to the board.”

Appleby, who has a master’s degree in public health, covers the health care industry for the business section of USA Today. She has worked at the San Francisco Chronicle, the Financial Times in London and the Contra Costa Times in Walnut Creek, Calif. Her reporting has led to several awards.

I'm honored to join the board of AHCJ, which has contributed greatly to the advancement of our profession," Appleby said.

Appleby will serve out Hobbs’ term which ends in June 2008.

Read more about the AHCJ board of directors.