Katie Gibas, reporter at YNN, Syracuse, N.Y.:
What is the most pressing health issue in the community you cover?
The physician shortage is a huge issue. We’re a metropolitan area, but we are surrounded by a lot of rural communities that have a tough time getting access.
Why did you decide to attend the conference?
This is my third year at the conference. The first year I was just so overwhelmed with so much. I was so new to it. Didn’t really have a base of where to even start. And the last couple of years, it has really helped in terms of getting stories (and) understanding how and what I should be reporting on.
What was the best tip you got today?
I got a lot of good ones. I really liked the tip about using anecdotes to make people understand things. Like, “It’s like a car engine idling,” or “It’s like true love.” I thought those were really great ways to make it understandable to people while at the same time, not condescending.
What was the best panel you attended today?
I really liked the (panel on) covering complex stories and boiling them down for people. I thought it was really informative. A lot of these stories are so complicated and how do you make it so you can relate to a person? I struggle with that on a daily basis.
What are you looking forward to during the rest of the conference?
There are so many awesome panels that it’s hard to pick one, but I’m really looking forward to the covering end-of-life issues and the coordinating senior care (panels). Just because, it is so complicated. So many seniors are on so many medicines that I don’t even know where you begin.
Any sightseeing plans?
I did a little on my lunch break today. I haven’t been to Boston in at least 10 years or so, so I’m excited to go around now and see it now that I have more of an appreciation for history.
