About
Board committees
AHCJ relies on board members and other volunteers from the membership to help us remain relevant to health journalists, financially viable, a strong voice for openness and transparency and, above all, an indispensable resource. Committee membership by volunteers is a way of giving back to the profession and is a good introduction to what service would be like on the board. While the number of committees remains fairly consistent, the board often appoints "task forces" or "working groups" falling under specific committees for specialized or limited-term projects. Professional, associate and allied members may all serve on committees. If you are interested in volunteering, please e-mail AHCJ President Ivan Oransky at ivan-oransky@erols.com and Executive Director Andrew Smiley at andrew@healthjournalism.org.
Executive Committee
Traditionally made up of the board's four officers, plus one other director from the board. The Executive Committee shall have the authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business of this corporation in the interval between meetings of the Board of Directors, and the Executive Committee shall at all times be subject to the control and direction of the Board of Directors.
Ivan Oransky, M.D., president
Spectrum
Felice J. Freyer, vice president
The Boston Globe
Gideon Gil, treasurer
Stat/Boston Globe Media
Sabriya Rice, secretary
University of Georgia
Maryn McKenna, AHCJ board member
Independent journalist, Atlanta
Finance and Development Committee
The Board of Directors may designate a Finance Committee composed of the treasurer and at least two other directors designated by the Board of Directors. The Finance Committee shall have general oversight over all financial affairs of this corporation, including fundraising activities, and shall at all times be subject to the control and direction of the Board of Directors.
Gideon Gil, treasurer (Committee chair)
Stat/Boston Globe Media
Felice J. Freyer, vice president
The Boston Globe
Marshall Allen, AHCJ member volunteer
ProPublica
Scott Hensley, AHCJ member volunteer
NPR
Andrew Kitchenman, AHCJ member volunteer
KTOO and Alaska Public Media
Leah Rosenbaum, AHCJ member volunteer
Forbes
Irene Wielawski, AHCJ member volunteer
Independent journalist, Pound Ridge, N.Y.
Membership Committee
Recommends and maintains membership requirements, handles vetting of member applicants, conducts outreach, works with staff to encourage renewals. Committee seeks out and recommends adopting new benefits to enhance membership. Works with city and regional chapters to maintain consistent mission. Shall at all times be subject to the control and direction of the Board of Directors.
Marlene Harris-Taylor, AHCJ board member (Committee chair)
WVIZ/PBS Ideastream, Cleveland
Gideon Gil, AHCJ board member
Stat/Boston Globe Media
Salynn Boyles, AHCJ member volunteer
Independent journalist, Nashville
Joseph Burns, AHCJ member volunteer
Independent journalist, Massachusetts
Blake Farmer, AHCJ member volunteer
Nashville Public Radio
Erika Check Hayden, AHCJ member volunteer
University of California, Santa Cruz
Ellen James Martin, AHCJ member volunteer
Independent journalist, Washington, D.C.
Michael Schroeder, AHCJ member volunteer
Independent journalist, Indianapolis
Freelance Committee
This committee creates a team of freelance members who can research and recommend to the full board appropriate benefits and resources for independent journalists, and offer voice to their concerns.
Jeanne Erdmann, AHCJ board member (Committee chair)
Independent journalist, Wentzville, Mo.
Maryn McKenna, AHCJ board member
Independent journalist, Atlanta
Laura Beil AHCJ member volunteer
Independent journalist, Cedar Hill, Texas
Erin Boyle, AHCJ member volunteer
Independent journalist, Honesdale, Pa.
Sonya Collins AHCJ member volunteer
Independent journalist, Atlanta
Andrea King Collier, AHCJ member volunteer
Independent journalist, Lansing, Mich.
Tara Haelle, AHCJ member volunteer
Independent journalist, Dallas
Katti Gray, AHCJ member volunteer
Independent journalist, Monticello, N.Y.
Judi Kanne, AHCJ member volunteer
Independent journalist, Atlanta
Fran Kritz, AHCJ member volunteer
Independent journalist, Silver Spring, Mass.
Sandra Lamb, AHCJ member volunteer
Independent journalist, Denver
Keren Landman, AHCJ member volunteer
Independent journalist, Atlanta
Michele Cohen Marill, AHCJ member volunteer
Independent journalist, Decatur, Ga.
Linda Marsa, AHCJ member volunteer
Independent journalist, Los Angeles
Cheryl Platzman Weinstock, AHCJ member volunteer
Independent journalist, Weston, Conn.
Katja Ridderbusch, AHCJ member volunteer
Independent journalist, Atlanta
David Wild AHCJ member volunteer
Independent journalist, Toronto
Tammy Worth, AHCJ member volunteer
Independent journalist, Blue Springs, Mo.
Contest Committee
Recommends rules and categories for annual Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism. Works with staff to establish procedures and deadlines. Selects screeners and judges, looks into and makes final determinations on any issues that arise. Shall at all times be subject to the control and direction of the Board of Directors.
Tony Leys, AHCJ board member (Committee chair)
Des Moines Register
Carrie Feibel, AHCJ board member
NPR
Joyce Frieden, AHCJ board member
MedPage Today
Sabriya Rice, AHCJ board member
University of Georgia
Julie Appleby, AHCJ member volunteer
Kaiser Health News
Cate Vojdik, AHCJ member volunteer
Independent journalist
Right-to-Know Committee
Promotes the free flow of health and medical information, advises the board on potential First Amendment advocacy positions and serves as a resource for members on access issues. Shall at all times be subject to the control and direction of the Board of Directors.
Felice J. Freyer, AHCJ board member (Committee chair)
The Boston Globe
Sabriya Rice, AHCJ board member (Committee vice chair)
University of Georgia
Joyce Frieden, AHCJ board member
MedPage Today
Sarah Boden, AHCJ member volunteer
90.5 WESA News, Pittsburgh, PA
Kathryn Foxhall, AHCJ member volunteer
Independent journalist, Washington, D.C. area
Jim Gutman, AHCJ member volunteer
University of Maryland Global Campus
Kimberly Leonard, AHCJ member volunteer
Business Insider
Nicole Lou
MedPage Today
Janice Paskey, AHCJ member volunteer
Mount Royal University, Calgary, Alberta
Bob Roehr, AHCJ member volunteer
Freelance biomedical journalist, Washington, D.C.
Deborah Schoch, AHCJ member volunteer
Independent Journalist. Long Beach, CA
Irene M. Wielawski, AHCJ member volunteer
Independent Journalist, Providence, RI
Task Forces and Working Groups
Task forces or working groups are active in these topic areas:
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Curriculum development
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Conference planning
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Workshop planning