List date(s) this work was published or aired.
March 18, 2012; Aug. 30, 2012; Oct. 7, 2012; Oct. 18, 2012
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
The common thread in these very different stories is the reporter’s ability to make the complicated clear. One investigative story uses a humble six-inch stud to illustrate the communication quagmire that lies at the heart of the much-delayed construction of a $656 million VA hospital. A story about artificial sweeteners translates complex medical science into information readers can use to make better everyday choices. Another medical story connects the dots between the fuzzy brain cancer patients often experience after chemotherapy and the medical explanation for why that is, and why they’re not crazy. A story about a highly charged whistleblower case alleging hundreds of millions of dollars of Medicare fraud at a large local hospital system further shows this reporter’s range.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
To research these stories, the reporter relied on a range of documents, including data from the Government Accountability Office, construction drawings, minutes from the subcontractors’ meetings, Requests for Information (RFIs) related to the steel studs, and photographs taken by workers on the site. For the whistleblower case, she relied on court documents and complaints provided by legal counsel in the case, and on reports of other whistleblower cases.
Explain types of human sources used.
In a sampling of reporting that encompasses the worlds of government, business, medicine and law, the reporter interviewed a range of experts: VA officials in charge of hospital and clinic construction, contractors, construction workers, U.S. representatives, doctors, researchers, patients, lawyers, and plaintiffs.
Results:
After the VA Medical Center and whistleblower stories appeared, hundreds of readers posted comments grateful for the inside look and sharing frustrations about government ineptness and Medicare abuse. The stories on fake sugars and chemo brain both scored high marks for online hits, and enjoyed a wide reach on social networks.
Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
No corrections, clarifications or challenges followed these reports.
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Search high and low for information, literally. Go to top officials and to the trenches — workers and patients who can make situations human.