The Association of Health Care Journalists and the Center for Excellence in Health Care Journalism are pleased to announce four U.S.-based journalists selected to participate in the 2026 Netherlands Health Care Study Group. From dementia villages to menopause nurses and preventive care, their projects will explore what the U.S. can learn from the Dutch approach to health care.
In November, the journalists will take part in a weeklong, immersive reporting experience in the Netherlands, meeting with Dutch health officials, providers, researchers and patients to explore how the country organizes and delivers health care.
- Erin McGroarty for The Capital Times in Madison will examine whether dementia villages – an innovative model that has transformed memory care in the Netherlands — could succeed in the U.S. as its population ages.
- Elana Gordon for The World, GBH Boston will explore what the U.S. emergency response system can learn from the Netherlands, where nurses play a leading role on emergency teams and how that model affects care, costs and emergency room use.
- Kelly Rogers Victor for The Detroit News/USA Today Network will investigate how — and how well — preventive care is integrated into the Dutch health system, with the goal of identifying gaps and potential lessons for the U.S.
- Sheila Eldred for STAT will examine how U.S. health systems could improve menopause care by exploring menopause nursing, a specialty unique to the Netherlands, and its impact on care for Dutch women.
“We’re excited to support this diverse range of projects tackling major health care issues and examining what the U.S. can learn from the Dutch approach,” said Kelsey Ryan, AHCJ executive director. “The fellowship gives these talented journalists tailored training and access to help them compare health systems, dig into systemic issues and build connections that can lead to ambitious, high-impact reporting.”
The study group, now in its second year, is supported by The Commonwealth Fund. The program covers airfare, lodging, meals, local transportation and provides tailored training and reporting support for participants’ projects. Journalists return from the trip with new sources, deeper reporting and fresh insights into issues that resonate on both sides of the Atlantic, including cost, coverage, equity and care delivery.
Learn more about the program here and apply for other international and domestic reporting opportunities.
