AHCJ is excited to announce the 2026 Health Journalism fellows. This group is a dynamic and diverse mix of passionate and dedicated journalists committed to illuminating the complexities of health care in today’s world.
This year, more than 60 fellows will receive registration, travel support and lodging to attend Health Journalism 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn., May 27-30.
With philanthropic support, AHCJ is able to help journalists across the country attend the annual conference, providing one of the most direct and extensive professional development opportunities in the industry. Not only do these fellowships assist journalists who otherwise might not have access to the latest resources and experts, they also provide a sense of community and belonging – things that are imperative to retaining journalists in the field and ensuring the long term sustainability of the industry.
Additionally, the yearlong U.S. Health System Reporting Fellowship, the International Health Study Fellowship and the Firearm Violence Reporting Fellowship provide conference attendance support.
Thanks to our supporters for making these fellowships possible: Anchorum Health Foundation | California Health Care Foundation | Commonwealth Fund | Connecticut Health Foundation | Doris Duke Foundation | Episcopal Health Foundation | Georgia Health Initiative | John A. Hartford Foundation | Headwaters Foundation | Health Forward Foundation | Health Foundation for Western & Central New York | The Joyce Foundation | Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust | Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute | Medical College of Wisconsin | Rhode Island Foundation | St. David’s Foundation | Sunflower Foundation.
California Health Journalism Fellowship
- Larry Beresford, Independent journalist
- Cheryl Clark, MedPage Today
- April Dembosky, KQED Public Radio
- Cecilia Egbele, Bakersfield News Observer
- Liza Gross, Inside Climate News
- Kristen Hwang, CalMatters
- Faisal Karimi,Noweuz Media
- Esther Landhuis, Independent journalist
- Megan Myscofski, Independent journalist
- Anjana Nagarajan-Butaney, India Currents
- Maria Ortiz-Briones, The Fresno Bee
- Sunita Sohrabji, American Community Media
- Kevin Stark, KQED Public Radio
- Jared Whitlock, Independent journalist
- Wendy Wolfson, Independent journalist
Connecticut Health Journalism Fellowship
- Lindsay Lee Wallace, Independent Journalist
- Theresa Terrible, WNPR Connecticut Public Radio
Equity in Health Journalism Fellowship
- Lingzi Chen, Lake County News
- Ngozi Cole, KAZU FM
- Kathleen Davis, Science Friday/NPR
- Ashley Fredde, NC Health News
- Rose Lundy, Maine Monitor, Portland
- Margaret Manto, NOTUS, DC
- Ashley Moss, WVLA NBC Local 33
- Lucia Starbuck, KUNR Public Radio
Freelance Health Journalism Travel Scholarship
Through the use of repatriated international royalties from its membership in the Authors Coalition of America, AHCJ is able to provide assistance to freelance journalists wishing to attend the annual conference.
- Claire Bugos, independent journalist
- Tanka Dhakal, independent journalist
- Karen Fischer, independent journalist
- Andrea Galliano, independent journalist
- Reyna Gobel, independent journalist
- Candace Y.A. Montague, independent journalist
- Yanick Rice Lamb, independent journalist
- Laurie Tarkan, independent journalist
- Karli Zschogner, independent journalist
Georgia Health Journalism Fellowship
- Margaret Coker, The Current GA
- Rebecca Grapevine, Independent journalist
Health and Aging Journalism Fellowship
- Julia Mètraux, Mother Jones
- Ashley Milne-Tyte, Independent Journalist
- Cassandra Spratling, The Detroit Free Press
Kansas-Missouri Health Journalism Fellowship
- Brandon Azim, KCUR
- Zach Boblitt, Kansas Public Radio
- Meg Cunningham, The Beacon
- Suzanne King, The Beacon
- Calen Moore, High Plains Public Radio
- Bek Shackelford-Nwanganga, KCUR
Montana Health Journalism Fellowship
- Zoë Buhrmaster, Flathead Beacon
- Sara Reardon, Independent journalist
New Mexico Health Journalism Fellowship
- Bella Davis, New Mexico In Depth
- Jeanette DeDios, KUNM-FM
- Maggie O’Hara, Santa Fe New Mexican
New York Health Journalism Fellowship
- Tracey Drury, Buffalo Business First/American City Business Journal
- Emyle Watkins, Buffalo Toronto Public Media
- Antonio Flores-Lobos, Radio Kingston
- Debadrita Sur, Central Current
- I’Jaz Ja’ciel, Buffalo Toronto Public Media
North Carolina Health Journalism Fellowship
- Rosemary Hoban, NC Health News
- Jaymie Baxley, NC Health News
Rhode Island Health Journalism Fellowship
- Lynn Arditi, Independent journalist
- Alexander Castro, Rhode Island Current
Texas Health Journalism Fellowship
- Christian von Preysing-Barry, Knight Science Journalism Program, MIT
- Michele Meyer, Independent journalist
- Anita Shiva, Independent journalist
- Ismael M. Belkoura, Fort Worth Report
- Abigail Ruhman, KERA
- Nicole Villalpando, Austin American-Statesman
- Kaley Johnson, Independent journalist
- Aparna Zalani, Independent journalist
- Robin Berghaus, Independent journalist
- Josh Archote, San Antonio Report
Wisconsin Health Journalism Fellowship
- Madeline Heim, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
- Erin McGroarty, The Capital Times
- Alex Rosenberg, NerdWallet
- Tamia Fowlkes, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
- Steven Potter, PBS Wisconsin
