About AHCJ: General News

Fellows on Women’s Health named for 2019 Date: 08/21/19

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Seven journalists have been selected for the Association of Health Care Journalists’ inaugural Fellowship on Women’s Health, to be held in Washington, D.C., in early March.

The fellowship program was created in collaboration with the U.S. Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health to increase understanding of – and the ability to report more clearly on – health issues often unique to women.

The fellowship is aimed at boosting the ability of consumer and trade journalists to report more accurately, seek out more in-depth stories and to make better use of often-underutilized resources in their efforts to inform the public.

The inaugural class of fellows were selected from dozens of qualified applicants:

• Heather Boerner, independent journalist, Pittsburgh, Pa. (@heatherboerner)

• Ginger Christ, health reporter, Cleveland Plain Dealer (@GChristCLE)

• Stephanie Innes, senior health reporter, Arizona Republic (@stephanieinnes)

• Caroline Kelly, breaking news reporter, CNN (@caroline_mkelly)

• Alice Ollstein, health care reporter, Politico (@AliceOllstein)

• Maggie O’Neill, assistant editor, Health.com

• Rebecca Smith, health reporter, KBIA-Columbia, Mo. (@Becky_A_Smith)

“We look forward to launching this important new fellowship with the Office on Women’s Health,” said Len Bruzzese, AHCJ executive director. “Our members have long felt it’s a coverage area that needs strengthening – and the robust first-year applicant pool supports that.”

Training topics for the fellowship will include several angles on maternal health, as well as examinations of opioids and women, HIV, violence and other important issues.

The Association of Health Care Journalists is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing public understand of health care issues. With about 1,500 members across the United States and around the globe, its mission is to improve the quality, accuracy and visibility of health care reporting, writing and editing. The association and its Center for Excellence in Health Care Journalism provide training, resources and numerous benefits, as well as a professional home for journalists. Its offices are based at the Missouri School of Journalism.

The Office on Women's Health (OWH) was established in 1991 within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. OWH coordinates women's health efforts across HHS and addresses critical women's health issues by informing and advancing policies, educating health care professionals and consumers, and supporting innovative programs.