About AHCJ: General News

2019 AHCJ-CDC fellows announced Date: 10/28/19

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Association of Health Care Journalists has announced the selection of a new class of AHCJ-CDC Health Journalism Fellows. The 12 journalists – supported through a grant from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust – will spend a week studying public health issues at the  Atlanta headquarters of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The AHCJ-directed fellowship program will include presentations, roundtable discussions and tours on epidemiology, global disease prevention efforts, chronic diseases, vaccines, foodborne disease, influenza, opioids, e-cigarettes and other topics.

The 2019 AHCJ-CDC fellows are:

  • Bethany Ao, reporter, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia (@bethanyao)

  • Amy Bennett Williams, senior writer, USA Today Network /Florida, Alva, Fla. (@AMYSWFL)

  • Lisa Collier Cool, independent journalist, Pelham, N.Y. (@lisacolliercool)

  • Jackie Fortier, health care reporter, StateImpact Oklahoma, Norman, Okla. (@jackiefortier)

  • Shayla Love, staff writer, Vice, Brooklyn, N.Y. (@shayla__love)

  • Tarryn Mento, health reporter, KPBS-San Diego, Calif. (@tbmento)

  • Catlin Nalley, independent journalist, Jacksonville, N.C.

  • Jill Sheridan Poulos, health and science reporter, Indiana Public Broadcasting/WFYI, Carmel, Ind. (@JillASheridan)

  • Paul Sisson, health care reporter, The San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego (@paulsisson)

  • Eric Strauss, managing editor, ABC News, New York (@ericmstrauss)

  • Megan Thielking, reporter, Stat, Boston (@meggophone)

  • Lindy Washburn, reporter, USA Today Network/New Jersey, Woodland Park, N.J. (@lindywa)

Fellows will tour the CDC director's National Emergency Operations Center, meet sources on policy and research and learn how to tap the agency's abundant resources to produce better stories. The training will take place in December.

The CDC is charged with protecting public health and safety by preventing and controlling diseases and injuries; enhancing health decisions by providing credible information on critical health issues; and promoting healthy living through strong partnerships with local, national and international organizations.

The Association of Health Care Journalists is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing public understanding 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 a professional home for journalists. Offices are based at the Missouri School of Journalism.