Members in AHCJ’s professional category can vote for the association board of directors and will receive a link via email to cast their ballot on Monday, June 16. Voting will open on June 15 and close on July 16 at 5 p.m. CST.
If you are a professional category member and have not received your ballot, please check your junk/spam folders for an email from “andrea@healthjournalism.org.”
If you still are unable to locate your ballot, please contact Director of Engagement Andrea Waner at andrea@healthjournalism.org.
Each year, members in AHCJ’s professional category elect members for the association board of directors.
(Associate and allied members cannot run for election or cast ballots.)
Six of the 12 director positions come up for election each year for two-year terms, although incumbent board members are allowed to run for re-election. This year, there are seven candidates for the six positions.
Service on the board is a serious commitment. It has commensurate rewards (but no pay). In addition to participating in two board meetings each year and occasional conference calls, board members are responsible for making decisions about association policies and statements, as well as working with the executive director on training projects, financial matters and other efforts to achieve AHCJ’s strategic goals. Board meetings are normally held in person but can be held online if necessary.
Board members take on committee duties and contribute to association activities, including fundraising, advocacy, helping plan sessions at training events, membership outreach and writing/editing contributions. They may be asked to play a role in other association projects that arise. They also are asked to show their support through an annual donation to the Center for Excellence in Health Care Journalism, although there is no minimum required.
Below are the AHCJ professional members who have declared their board candidacy, listed in alphabetical order.
Max Blau
Reporter, ProPublica
During my 15 years as a journalist, I’ve covered the people and systems that shape health outcomes across the South. As an investigative reporter with ProPublica, I was part of a team that won an AHCJ award for our investigation into how industrial air pollution has elevated cancer risks for millions of Americans. Last year, I was part of a team that was named a finalist for the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for our series looking at the ways that insurance companies systematically deny access to mental healthcare.
I couldn’t have done this work without the support of AHCJ. I’m now running for the board because I want to serve an association that’s helped shape me as a healthcare journalist.
If elected, I’d like to help the association in three main ways.
First, I’d like to help AHCJ continue to provide training and resources to early-career journalists and those coming from nontraditional backgrounds. I’ve experienced firsthand how fellowships and training programs can sharpen the skills of healthcare reporters. I want to make sure these programs continue and find new ways to strengthen them.
I also want to assist AHCJ in finding ways to support members as they navigate an increasingly unstable industry — whether it be through resources for student journalists, mentoring for early-career journalists, or providing guidance on shifts in our industry.
And I’d like to support ongoing efforts to protect access to information. That includes aiding the work of the right-to-know committee, which I have served in the past, as well as finding new ways for the organization to democratize healthcare information for all of its members. (I am a devoted user of HospitalInspections.org.)
I know first hand the importance of the role that board members play in ensuring the success of a journalism nonprofit. In 2020, I co-founded Canopy Atlanta, a community news organization that trains and pays residents to report on their own neighborhoods. As a founding board member for Canopy Atlanta, I understood what it took to grow a mission-driven organization, what it meant to be a responsible steward of financial resources, and what was required to be an evangelist for an organization’s cause. I believe my experience in that role — and in my role as an engaged member of AHCJ’s community — will enable me to serve the association in the years ahead.
AHCJ Experience
’ve been involved with AHCJ for nearly a decade in a variety of ways.
I learned invaluable lessons from our fellowships. In 2017, I participated in the National Library of Medicine fellowship, which gave me a working knowledge of the federal databases. In 2018, I did the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention fellowship, which deepened my understanding of public health. In 2019, I was selected for the reporting fellowship on health care performance. That fueled an investigation into the privatization of healthcare in Georgia’s jails, a series that was published in the Macon Telegraph and Atlanta magazine.
I’ve learned from my colleagues at conferences how to be a better healthcare reporter and had the chance to meet editors I would eventually work with. For example, I first met Charles Ornstein at our conference in 2019 when I was trying to work with ProPublica. He’s now my editor. That connection wouldn’t have otherwise happened.
After benefiting from AHCJ, I’ve given back in recent years. I’ve moderated panels that demystify complex medical topics like organ transplants and health insurance so that others could cover those issues. I’ve advised freelancers on landing assignments in local and national outlets. And I’ve mentored early-career journalists through the twists and turns of their early years in the field.
I hope to deepen my commitment to our community as a board member.
Randy Dotinga
Independent journalist
I’ve been a member of the AHCJ board for four years, and I’m proud of my work toward making the association an even better resource and voice for health/medical journalists.
This year, I spearheaded AHCJ’s first-ever Career Fair, which featured representatives from 13 news outlets at Health Journalism 2026. I’m thrilled to help AHCJ provide even more value to our members.
On other fronts, I successfully pushed for AHCJ leaders to play a role in the selection of conference sessions, giving the membership a voice in our staff’s decisions about programming. I also successfully advocated for conference sessions to be recorded, expanding access to our top-notch programming.
These will be my priorities if I’m re-elected to the board:
- I will advocate for the highest standards of transparency, openness, and financial responsibility within AHCJ. We have a long history of excellent staff management, but that should never lull our elected leaders into being rubber stamps.
- I will push for AHCJ to offer more services and resources to college students, including programming and opportunities to produce on-site journalism at our conferences.
- I’ve already set this advocacy in motion with the goal of expanding our profile in the college journalism world and giving students invaluable opportunities for education and networking.
- I will continue to advocate for AHCJ to provide resources and support for freelance journalists. AHCJ is especially dear to me because our PitchFest events forged connections with news outlets that keep me afloat as a freelance writer. I’m especially pleased that we have successfully restarted virtual PitchFests, giving our members even more opportunities to land work.
- I will keep urging AHCJ to do more to reach out to diverse journalism organizations, including those representing African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic, and Native American journalists. AHCJ needs to have a presence on site at their annual conferences so their members will learn about what we do and become inspired to join our organization.
Details about Me: I’ve been a full-time freelance writer for 26 years and worked previously as a reporter for daily and weekly newspapers. I will be an adjunct journalism professor at San Diego State University in 2027.
I have served as board member and president of the American Society of Journalists & Authors, the leading association of freelance writers and book authors. I have also served on the board of NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists.
From 2018-2020, I successfully spearheaded efforts in California to fight back against legislation known as AB5 that would have decimated freelance journalism. We lobbied legislators, spoke to print, television, web, and radio reporters, and launched a lawsuit in federal court against the state. Our efforts inspired a band of freelance writers in New Jersey, including AHCJ members, to convince state legislators to kill a similar bill there.
These battles for the rights of independent creators to work are not over. I’ll make sure AHCJ stands with freelancers as future challenges arise.
AHCJ Experience
- AHCJ member since 2002.
- Board member 2022-date.
- Conference speaker/moderator/session organizer.
- Member of Finance/Development, Contest, Freelance, Membership, and Conference committees.
Joyce Frieden
Washington editor, MedPage Today
I’m seeking re-election to the board in order to continue the work I’ve been doing as co-chair of AHCJ’s Right-to-Know Committee. The committee is focused on improving health reporters’ access to federal, state, and local government officials as well as health-related entities.
In one recent instance, the committee successfully intervened to persuade a major medical journal to reverse an unacceptable policy. That policy would have barred members of the trade press from getting access to embargoed materials. Thanks to our intervention, journalists never lost that access. Because I work as Washington Editor at a trade publication, MedPage Today, that affected me personally and really drove home the importance of the work that the committee does.
On a related note, one area that I want to push harder on is access to officials at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other federal agencies, which are currently continuing their restrictive press policies. For example, in the rare instance that a member of the press is able to arrange for an interview with an HHS official, the questions must be submitted in advance, and a press person is always present during the interview.
For those unable to get an interview or who just want a quick answer to a question, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires reporters who have inquiries to fill out a form, and CMS often sends back a rote answer that is attributable only to a “spokesperson.” The Right-to-Know Committee has begun working with other journalism groups to try to get these policies relaxed, and I would like to continue our efforts in this area.
The Right-to-Know Committee also works with other journalism groups on press freedom issues, signing petitions and sending letters to advocate for journalists whose professional – and sometimes personal – freedom is in danger.
I want to stay on the board to see these and other challenges through, and to keep looking for new ways to grow and nurture our membership. I also plan to continue serving on the Contest Committee as we expand and refine our contest categories. Finally, I want to keep fighting for the rights of freelancers, one of our largest member groups. I hope you will give me the opportunity to continue my service on the board.
AHCJ Experience
AHCJ has given me many wonderful opportunities. As part of co-chairing the Right-to-Know Committee, I was able to help develop AHCJ’s “Sunshine Award” to honor those who write stories about barriers to getting public information, or who overcome – or try to overcome – obstacles to getting that information. Our first awardee was Bob Herman, who bravely wrote a story about the increasingly restrictive press policies of the agency that runs Medicare and Medicaid.
As a member of the Contest Committee, I’ve helped to shape the criteria for our newer awards categories, such as the audio and video awards. And I’ve enjoyed getting to moderate panels at the annual conference, include the Right-to-Know panels the committee puts on as well as other panels on timely topics such as prescription drug policy under the Trump administration.
Joanne Kenen
Independent journalist
Journalist in Residence, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
My name is Joanne Kenen and my one regret about AHCJ is that I didn’t join earlier.
Still, I’ve been involved for well over 15 years. I was the first Health Beat “topic leader,” writing about ACA implementation for a decade. I’ve moderated and recruited speakers for webinars and the yearly conference. I’ve done a whole lot of mentoring, formal and informal. I co-chair the DC chapter. Now, as I finally have achieved something resembling work-life balance (sort of), I’d be honored to serve on our board.
My Twitter profile said: “Health Journalist. From birth to death and everything in between.” Health policy and politics. A smattering of science. Obamacare. Medicare. Medicaid. Cost, quality, access. Reproductive rights. Social determinants of health. Climate. End of life. Trust. Misinformation. Once I wrote about cross-dressing female pirates (though I can’t quite claim that as a health story.).
I’ve been a staff reporter, a freelancer, an editor, an author. A union member. A manager. I’ve worked overseas. I’ve covered campaigns. Whatever you are out there doing, there’s a good chance I’ll identify. At Reuters I covered health policy on Capitol Hill. At Politico, I led and grew the health team (and persuaded our boss to pay all our AHCJ dues). By late 2020 – a pandemic and an election year – I was a Very Exhausted Person. Since late 2021, I’ve been the Journalist in Residence at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
I’ve written for Politico Magazine, the Washington Post, Health Affairs, Stat, KFF Health News, and other outlets. I moderate the Atlantic’s Health events. I’m one of the original KHN “What the Health” podcast gals.
My most recent book is “Information Sick: How Journalism’s Decline and Misinformation’s Rise Are Harming Our Health.” I talked to health reporters across the country – at struggling local news outlets, at large papers enduring wave after wave of buyouts and layoffs, to independent journalists navigating a tough freelance market and those building innovative nonprofits. I have a good sense of the mounting challenges – and opportunities. We’ve had a few excellent sessions, virtual and at the conference, on navigating an era in which journalists are targeted.
On the board, I’d advocate for more help in countering those threats, individually and collectively – particularly for those of us who don’t work for a news organization with legal advice on tap. I’d suggest low-key sessions, either at the conference or through some kind of chat during the year, on practical skills like how to plan and moderate a panel, or getting accustomed to speaking in public, or how to get a book agent. I’d like to find a way of showcasing our book authors at the annual conference.
AHCJ is in good shape. I’d like to keep it that way and make it even better. Thank you.
AHCJ Experience
- Helped plan and recruit speakers for conferences and webinars.
- Mentoring, both formal and informal.
- Co-chair of DC chapter (current).
- Helped write/edit the conference blog.
- Contest judge.
- First “Topic leader.” (though that wasn’t volunteer)
Renuka Rayasam
Senior correspondent, KFF Health News
I have been serving on the ACHJ board for one term, and I would be honored to serve another term.
My career has taken me from Texas to Washington D.C., from Berlin, Germany to Atlanta. After two decades in journalism, I have expertise working in different types of newsrooms and cultures, as well as perspective in the challenges of freelancing.
I’m running again for the AHCJ board because of my appreciation for how this organization has helped me grow as a healthcare reporter, from helping me learn the ins and outs of healthcare to connecting me with valuable mentors. I’ve benefitted from the AHCJ’s resources, tools, and events and I’ve loved learning from other AHCJ members.
Now I hope to use my seat on the AHCJ board to continue helping journalists cover this crucial beat while navigating their newsrooms during a time of tremendous change in the media landscape.
Currently I am a senior correspondent in the Southern bureau of KFF Health News, based in Atlanta, where I focus on health disparities. Prior to my current role, I covered Texas health care for POLITICO and helmed the pandemic newsletter POLITICO Nightly. I was also a freelancer for many years in Berlin and the U.S. I have also covered business and finance for local newspapers and national magazines.
I have degrees in Political Economy and German from the University of California, Berkeley and a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University.
In the coming years I plan to focus on several areas:
- Contest improvements: Our focus for the coming year is to think through how to make the annual AHCJ contest a more level playing field for local journalists.
- Career development: I want to continue making AHCJ a place for journalists to turn to when making a leap from reporting to editing, honing freelance pitches, navigating a layoff, or facing any other major career changes. I hope to boost resources, mentoring, and local chapter gatherings.
- Training and tools. Whether you are new to healthcare reporting, do healthcare reporting as part of a beat, or a healthcare reporting veteran, I want AHCJ to continue to improve resources to help journalists continue to learn. And I would like to make conferences and workshops relevant and accessible to all members.
- Diversity. I hope to continue to boost diversity among AHCJ members, build a pipeline of health care journalists, and ensure that there are opportunities for journalists of color to cover this important beat.
AHCJ Experience
In addition to serving on the AHCJ board, I have served as a mentor, moderated panels, and co-chaired the contest committee. I am also an active part of the AHCJ Atlanta Chapter.
Jonathan Rockoff
Deputy corporate editor, The Wall Street Journal
The stakes for health-care journalism have never been higher. As we navigate rapid technological shifts, economic pressures on newsrooms and a complex healthcare landscape, AHCJ must remain the gold standard for supporting, educating and defending journalists. Having served on the board I understand what it takes to keep AHCJ organizationally agile, financially robust and deeply relevant to our members.
During my current term, I have focused on making sure our annual awards reflect all the great work our members are now doing. The Contest Committee, which I co-chair, has added new awards to recognize pieces in Television and Video and by students. We’ve also adjusted the categories to reflect the shrinking of newsrooms. Now, we get 400 submissions to the contest. I’ve helped recruit more judges so we can give all of the entries their proper due.
In addition to the contest work, I’ve supported our members in a difficult environment for journalists. I’ve moderated how-to panels. For the conference this year, I organized a visit with a big health insurer with the goal of helping everyone build relationships with the company that can pay off with better access and reporting. And I’ve mentored.
We can do even more. Going forward I want to help strengthen our conference programming further so it provides more resources and tools that will aid your work. I’ve joined the Finance Committee to make sure AHCJ thrives and has the resources to keep supporting and recognizing members. I also want to keep improving our digital resources.
Serving you has given me a deep appreciation for the diversity of our membership—from veteran beat reporters at major newspapers to young journalists starting their careers, independent freelancers, trade publication editors and television and podcast producers. I have worked to ensure all of your voices are represented in our strategic decisions. With another term, I want to make AHCJ even more of a resource for you to do the best health care journalism at this critical time.
AHCJ Experience
I’ve served on AHCJ’s Board of Directors for two years. I’m the Co-Chair of the Contest Committee, helping with its creation of new Television/Video and Student categories. We also have adjusted newsroom sizes, and streamlined the FAQs to make it easier for entrants to follow. As co-chair, I’ve also recruited judges, assigned judges to assess certain categories and notified award winners.
This year, I joined the Finance Committee.
I’ve been serving as a mentor, providing a sounding board for questions about editing and health care. At conferences I’ve moderated panels and workshops, and volunteered to help with check-ins and whatever else might be needed.
Carina Storrs
Independent journalist
I joined AHCJ in 2008. I cannot credit AHCJ enough with helping me establish myself as an independent journalist. The AHCJ-CDC and AHCJ-New York Health Journalism Fellowships were invaluable opportunities, early in my career, for meeting experts, editors and other freelancers and learning the landscape of various health topics. Over the years, I only continue to benefit from the connections and training at annual meetings, webinars, local chapter events and in the Slack group. I am running to join the AHCJ board because I want to help the organization thrive in the upcoming years and bolster its resources for freelancers and all members.
I’ve been involved with AHCJ in various ways, at the eight conferences that I’ve attended and pitching in wherever I can throughout the year. I am on the Membership Committee and enjoy connecting with members about how the organization has helped them and how they think it could further improve. I am also on the Freelance Committee and attend Lunch and Learns and other networking events every chance I get. I’ve volunteered to help out with logistics at annual meetings such as with PitchFest.
As a board member, my top priority would be helping members get the most they can out of being part of AHCJ. As part of the Membership Committee, I would prioritize connecting new members with AHCJ’s resources and communicating with current and past members about how the organization can best support them. I would look for ways to grow the freelance resources that have benefited me so much, such as organizing virtual co-working and accountability groups through Slack. Another area that I’m excited to move into—literally—is Southern California this summer, where I’m looking forward to getting involved with the local chapter and finding ways to build AHCJ’s presence in the region.
A bit about me: I have been an independent journalist since 2010, focusing mostly on biomedical research and health policy. My news and feature stories have appeared in a range of consumer and trade outlets, including the AARP Bulletin, The Guardian, CNN Health, Oncology News Central, Science Careers, Scientific American and Chemical & Engineering News. I also write for universities and research institutes. I attended the NYU master’s program in science, health and environmental reporting (SHERP), and before that got my Ph.D. in microbiology from Columbia University. I’m also a member of the National Association of Science Writers and Society of Environmental Journalists and long-time mentor for Girls Write Now, a nonprofit that helps underserved youth.
AHCJ Experience
- Member since 2008.
- Attended eight annual conferences.
- Helped with PitchFest at the 2025 conference.
- Member of the Membership and Freelance Committees.
- Recipient of the AHCJ-CDC and AHCJ-New York Health Journalism Fellowships.