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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251016T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251016T140000
DTSTAMP:20260403T185106
CREATED:20250812T234007Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251006T191041Z
UID:60667-1760619600-1760623200@healthjournalism.org
SUMMARY:Lunch and Learn: AI and you
DESCRIPTION:It’s been a while since we first broached the subject of AI and freelance journalism\, and so much has changed. We’ll share how we’re using AI in research\, drafts\, headlines — even to enhance pitches or check for similar articles on the topic. And we’ll discuss how our client publications are responding — some may be using AI\, some may be prohibiting its use. Randy Dotinga will start us off with his experiences and insights. \n\n\n\nAt AHCJ’s Lunch and Learns\, freelancer members chat about a designated topic over Zoom every third Thursday of the month at 1 p.m. ET. Registration is now required for Lunch and Learns and is only available to current freelance AHCJ members.
URL:https://healthjournalism.org/event/lunch-and-learn-ai-and-you/
CATEGORIES:Event,Freelancers,Lunch and Learn
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251113T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251114T235959
DTSTAMP:20260403T185106
CREATED:20250724T160850Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250926T203235Z
UID:60426-1762992000-1763164799@healthjournalism.org
SUMMARY:Research reset: Covering promising paths to better health | 2025 Fall Summit
DESCRIPTION:AHCJ’s fall summit\, “Research reset: Covering promising paths to better health\,” is designed to help reporters learn to identify and report on health research questions\, overlooked opportunities and innovative models that could transform health. \n\n\n\nUntil recently\, the U.S. consistently invested more in health research than any other country. Yet it has experienced poor health outcomes compared to other affluent nations. This day-and-a-half event will explore that disconnect\, the current funding environment and promising approaches to alleviating some of the nation’s most pressing health problems. \n\n\n\nThe summit will take place Nov. 13-14 in New York City\, at the Graduate by Hilton New York on Roosevelt Island. Registration is now open\, and closes Oct. 29. A half-day field trip at the conclusion of the summit will give participants an opportunity to learn about the public health history of Roosevelt Island where Nellie Bly made her name as a muckraker after she posed as a person with a mental illness to investigate conditions inside a women’s asylum there. \n\n\n\nAHCJ’s fall summit this year takes a step back to look at the history of research funding in the U.S.\, its likely future and the growing recognition that research could more directly result in improvements to the health of Americans. The summit will highlight areas of health research that have not\, traditionally\, been well-funded and more closely examine the value of projects that have been pursued outside traditional channels. \n\n\n\nSessions will explore: \n\n\n\n\nHow funding decisions were made\, how they’re made now\, and how researchers are navigating the shifting research landscape.\n\n\n\nWhat journalists can learn from unconventional leaders in the health care system — community groups\, trusted messengers\, and people with unconventional expertise — who take community-based approaches to the same outcomes as the more traditional research enterprise.\n\n\n\nHow to cover the changing landscape\, with some hands-on guidance on how to identify solid information and sources; and how to find stories about research on diverse communities.\n\n\n\nHow journalists can report responsibly on the many health issues that research barely touches\, including menopause\, men’s mental health and many rare diseases.\n\n\n\n\n\nGraduate by Hilton New York22 N Loop RdNew York City\n\n\n\n\nBook a hotel room\n\n\n\nSpecial thanks to The Doris Duke Foundation\, the sponsor of the summit. The Commonwealth Fund and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation have also provided support for this event.
URL:https://healthjournalism.org/training-events/workshops-summits/2025-fall-summit-research-reset/
CATEGORIES:Event,Workshops | Summits
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251119T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251119T140000
DTSTAMP:20260403T185106
CREATED:20251030T171007Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251119T214050Z
UID:61531-1763557200-1763560800@healthjournalism.org
SUMMARY:Trust\, public health reporting and the CDC: Insider perspectives
DESCRIPTION:A lot has happened this year at the CDC with walkouts\, layoffs and the disappearance of data and reports\, presenting major challenges for journalists who report on public health. Especially when reporting on infectious disease\, the compromising of the CDC as a source of public health data and up-to-date information about outbreaks has huge implications for public health. But that’s not all that has been lost — not by a long shot. The Secretary of Health and Human Services has also undermined the CDC as a source of trustworthy information about drug use/harm reduction\, autism\, chronic disease and diet. \n\n\n\nAlthough the dismantling of the CDC has cost the country its oldest\, most stalwart resource for public health information\, the CDC diaspora has not vanished in silence. Join us for a conversation with former CDC officials Deb Houry\, Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Director for Program and Science; Demetre Daskalakis\, former Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases; and Daniel Jernigan\, former Director of the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases. Moderated by AHCJ Health Beat Leader Tara Haelle\, the discussion will explore: \n\n\n\n\nWhere journalists should turn for the reliable\, evidence-based reporting resources that formerly had a home at the CDC’s web pages.\n\n\n\nWho\, if anyone\, has taken over data collection and communication about infectious disease.\n\n\n\nWhat is missing\, now\, from the national public health picture.\n\n\n\nTheir biggest worries about the potential consequences of the loss of this body of expertise and communication.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nModerator\n\n\n\n\nTara Haelle\n\n\n\nAHCJ Health Beat Leader for Infectious Diseases & Medical StudiesTara Haelle is AHCJ’s health beat leader for infectious diseases and medical studies. She’s an independent science/health journalist\, author\, speaker\, and photographer. Her work has appeared in the National Geographic\, Scientific American\, Texas Monthly\, Science News\, Medscape/WebMD\, The New York Times\, Wired\, and O Magazine\, among others. She specializes in public health and medical research\, particularly vaccines\, infectious disease\, maternal and pediatric health\, mental health\, healthcare disparities\, and misinformation. She also covers medical research conferences and edits Long COVID Connection on Medium. Haelle earned a master’s in photojournalism from the University of Texas at Austin\, and her images have appeared in Texas Monthly\, NPR\, the\, Chicago Sun-Times and elsewhere. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDemetre C. Daskalakis\, M.D.\, MPH\n\n\n\nFormer Director\, CDC National Center for Immunization and Respiratory DiseasesDr. Demetre C. Daskalakis\, M.D.\, MPH\, is a nationally recognized physician and public health leader in infectious diseases and emergency response. He received his B.A. from Columbia\, M.D. from NYU\, and MPH from Harvard\, followed by advanced training at Harvard’s Beth Israel Deaconess and Partners Healthcare. \n\n\n\nDr. Daskalakis has held major leadership roles at the New York City Department of Health\, overseeing HIV\, TB\, STD\, immunization\, and laboratory programs\, and managing responses to measles\, Legionella\, and New York City’s initial COVID-19 outbreak. At the CDC\, he directed the Division of HIV Prevention and later led the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases\, where he managed strategies for influenza\, COVID-19\, RSV\, and the transition of the U.S. COVID-19 vaccine program to commercialization. He played a critical role in national responses to respiratory virus threats and managed high-profile outbreaks including measles and avian influenza\, demonstrating trauma-informed leadership during challenging events like the August 2025 CDC shooting. \n\n\n\nAs Deputy Coordinator of the White House National Mpox Response\, Dr. Daskalakis’s innovative approaches led to a dramatic reduction in daily cases. Throughout his career\, he has championed health equity\, LGBTQ+ health\, and evidence-based policy\, shaping national and global strategies in HIV prevention and vaccination. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDebra Houry\, M.D.\, MPH\n\n\n\nFormer Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Director for Program and Science\, CDCDebra Houry M.D.\, MPH is a nationally recognized emergency physician and public health leader with more than two decades of experience guiding health care and public health strategy across federal government\, health systems\, and academia.  \n\n\n\nMost recently\, Dr. Houry served as Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Director for Program and Science at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)\, where she oversaw nine national centers and the Office of Science with a combined budget of more than $6 billion. She also served as Acting Principal Deputy Director\, the agency’s most senior leader after the CDC Director\, where she co-led the Moving Forward initiative—restructuring CDC to strengthen preparedness\, data\, and laboratory systems. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDaniel Jernigan\, M.D.\, MPH\n\n\n\nFormer Director\, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases\, CDCDaniel B. Jernigan\, M.D.\, MPH\, recently resigned his position as Director of the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Jernigan completed training at Duke University and Baylor College of Medicine and has completed residencies in Internal Medicine and Preventive Medicine.  \n\n\n\nHe entered the CDC in 1994 as an Epidemic Intelligence Officer\, and has been studying respiratory and emerging diseases since that time. He is a retired Captain in the U.S. Public Health Service and was the recipient of the 2019 Service to America Medal.
URL:https://healthjournalism.org/blog/2025/11/trust-public-health-reporting-and-the-cdc-insider-perspectives/
CATEGORIES:Event,Health Policy,Infectious Diseases,Webinar
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251120T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251120T140000
DTSTAMP:20260403T185106
CREATED:20250812T235221Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251118T224234Z
UID:60669-1763643600-1763647200@healthjournalism.org
SUMMARY:Lunch and Learn: These are Stressful Times. How Are You Coping?
DESCRIPTION:This will focus on the practical (not expressly political) issues that we’re facing amid an implosion in our industry and radical changes in the health care landscape. How are you getting accurate information and data? How are you finding reliable sources? How are you navigating sudden changes as editors leave\, get laid off or retire? How are you coping with your own stress? Let’s share strategies. \n\n\n\nRegistration is now required for Lunch and Learns. You only need to register one time to be automatically registered for all Lunch and Learns. Not sure if you’ve already registered? Try searching your email for “AHCJ Lunch & Learn Confirmation.”
URL:https://healthjournalism.org/event/lunch-and-learn-these-are-stressful-times-how-are-you-coping/
CATEGORIES:Event,Freelancers,Lunch and Learn
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://healthjournalism.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Lunch-and-Learn-Logo.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251121T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251121T140000
DTSTAMP:20260403T185106
CREATED:20251105T123000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251121T195044Z
UID:61596-1763730000-1763733600@healthjournalism.org
SUMMARY:National Science-Health-Environment Reporting Fellowship informational webinar
DESCRIPTION:Are you ready to take your reporting to the next level? The Association of Health Care Journalists (AHCJ)\, in collaboration with the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing and the Society of Environmental Journalists\, is now accepting applications for the National Science-Health-Environment Reporting Fellowships (SHERF)\, a yearlong program designed to empower early-career journalists covering the critical intersections of science\, health and the environment. \n\n\n\nThis unique fellowship allows participants to keep their current jobs while engaging in hands-on training\, exclusive workshops and mentorship from veteran journalists and experts. Fellows will deepen their storytelling skills\, gain access to new sources and explore pressing issues shaping public understanding such as climate change\, environmental justice\, health equity and scientific innovation. \n\n\n\nIn this webinar\, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions about the fellowship and hear from SHERF alumni about their experience. Don’t miss your opportunity to join this dynamic community of science\, health and environment reporters driving meaningful change.
URL:https://healthjournalism.org/sherf-informational-webinar/
CATEGORIES:Event,Fellowships,Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://healthjournalism.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/SHERF-logo-hi-res-2.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251202T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251202T120000
DTSTAMP:20260403T185106
CREATED:20251202T160229Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251202T161112Z
UID:61759-1764673200-1764676800@healthjournalism.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Key issues before a key CDC meeting
DESCRIPTION:This session is crucial for AHCJ members who want clear\, authoritative background ahead of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meetings on December 4 and 5. \n\n\n\nWhen the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meets on December 4 and 5\, they will be considering changes\, some dramatic\, that could affect vaccine access and protection throughout the United States\, including the hepatitis B birth dose and combination vaccines. The multi-institutional Expert Vaccine Analysis Team\, hosted by Georgetown University\, and the Association of Health Care Journalists invite you to a journalist briefing ahead of the ACIP meetings. \n\n\n\nDr. Paul Offit\, Director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia\, will explain the history\, safety\, and effectiveness of the hepatitis B vaccine birth dose and discuss the potential impacts of ACIP changes. Dr. Jesse Goodman\, Professor of Medicine and Infectious Diseases and Attending Physician at Georgetown University\, will follow with an overview of related issues ACIP may consider\, including adjuvants and combination vaccines. Michael Ninburg\, Executive Director Emeritus for the Hepatitis Education Project and past president of the World Hepatitis Alliance\, will help ground the science with perspectives on the impact of hepatitis B and its prevention on patients and families. \n\n\n\nThe briefing will take place on December 2\, 2025\, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET and will include ample time for reporter questions.
URL:https://healthjournalism.org/event/webinar-key-issues-before-a-key-cdc-meeting-sent/
CATEGORIES:Event,Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251204T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251204T160000
DTSTAMP:20260403T185106
CREATED:20251009T165607Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251009T165610Z
UID:61245-1764856800-1764864000@healthjournalism.org
SUMMARY:Virtual PitchFest
DESCRIPTION:AHCJ’s popular Virtual PitchFest is back — giving independent journalists the chance to pitch directly to editors at leading health publications. \n\n\n\n\nHere’s how it works\n\n\n\n\nWe’re recruiting 10–15 editors from a variety of outlets.\n\n\n\nEach participating writer will get up to three 10-minute pitch slots\, with a short break built in for editors between sessions.\n\n\n\nJournalists can sign up with the editors who best match their interests and expertise.\n\n\n\nThe cost to participate is just $25.\n\n\n\nTo ensure quality interactions\, registration is capped at 45 journalists\, each guaranteed three pitch sign-ups. If all slots are not filled\, we may expand capacity. \n\n\n\nPitchFest has long been one of AHCJ’s most anticipated opportunities for freelancers to get their ideas in front of a variety of editors. Don’t miss your chance to connect with editors who are actively seeking fresh\, high-quality health stories.\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTimeline\n\n\n\n\nOct. 31: Full slate of editors announced; journalist registration opens\n\n\n\nNov. 6 at 11 a.m. ET: Editor slot sign-ups open for all registered journalists; sign-up link will remain open\, with additional slots added if needed.\n\n\n\nDec. 4 at 2 p.m. ET: PitchFest begins!
URL:https://healthjournalism.org/training-events/virtual-pitchfest-2025/
CATEGORIES:Event,Freelancers
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260109T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260109T140000
DTSTAMP:20260403T185106
CREATED:20260105T223830Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260109T225213Z
UID:62134-1767963600-1767967200@healthjournalism.org
SUMMARY:Big changes to the CDC's childhood vaccine schedule: What you need to know
DESCRIPTION:This week\, the CDC changed the agency’s recommended childhood immunization schedule to nearly match that of Denmark\, a country that bears little similarity to the U.S. in population\, health care system\, and public health approach. The move shifts six vaccines from “recommended” to “shared clinical decision-making.” \n\n\n\nHosted by Tara Haelle and offered in conjunction with the Expert Vaccine Analysis Team (E-VAT)\, this webinar will give you access to quotable experts on vaccine law\, the history of the childhood immunization schedule\, and the science supporting the longtime CDC schedule to help journalists report on this significant change. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nModerator\n\n\n\n\nTara Haelle\n\n\n\nAHCJ Health Beat Leader for Infectious Diseases\, Medical StudiesTara Haelle is AHCJ’s health beat leader for infectious diseases and medical studies. She’s an independent science/health journalist\, author\, speaker\, and photographer. Her work has appeared in the National Geographic\, Scientific American\, Texas Monthly\, Science News\, Medscape/WebMD\, The New York Times\, Wired\, and O Magazine\, among others.  \n\n\n\nShe specializes in public health and medical research\, particularly vaccines\, infectious disease\, maternal and pediatric health\, mental health\, healthcare disparities\, and misinformation. She also covers medical research conferences and edits Long COVID Connection on Medium. Haelle earned a master’s in photojournalism from the University of Texas at Austin\, and her images have appeared in Texas Monthly\, NPR\, the\, Chicago Sun-Times and elsewhere. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJesse L. Goodman\, M.D.\, MPH\n\n\n\nDirector\, Georgetown COMPASSAttending physician\, Georgetown UniversityJesse L. Goodman\, M.D.\, MPH is a professor of medicine and infectious diseases and an attending physician at Georgetown University and the previous chief of infectious diseases at the University of Minnesota. From 2003-09\, Goodman served as director of the federal Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER)\, regulating vaccines\, blood and cell and gene therapies\, and then as Chief Scientist of the US FDA until 2014\, serving in US leadership for numerous public health responses. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and has served on numerous WHO\, CDC\, NIH\, NAM and other advisory committees and previously served as a member of GlaxoSmithKline’s board\, chairing its science committee. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJohn D. Gräbenstein\, Ph.D.\n\n\n\nPresident\, Vaccine DynamicsRetired director\, U.S. Dept. of Defense Vaccine Military AgencyJohn D. Gräbenstein\, Ph.D.\, is a global vaccinologist\, pharmacist\, and public-health leader. He served 27 years in the U.S. Army Medical Department and\, as a colonel\, directed Department of Defense’s Military Vaccine Agency. Gräbenstein served for 13 years as Global Executive Director of Medical Affairs for Merck Vaccines. He operates Vaccine Dynamics\, a consulting service on vaccinology and has no conflicts of interest. He is a Member of he National Academy of Medicine. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSean O’Leary\, M.D.\, MPH\n\n\n\nProfessor of pediatrics and infectious diseases\, University of Colorado Denver AnschutzDirector\, Colorado Pediatric Practice-Based Research NetworkSean T. O’Leary\, M.D.\, MPH\, is a professor of pediatrics and infectious diseases at the University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus. He is also an investigator at Adult and Child Center for Outcomes Research and Delivery Science (ACCORDS) and director of the Colorado Children’s Outcomes Network (COCONet)\, a pediatric practice-based research network. \n\n\n\nHis research focuses on prevention of vaccine-preventable diseases through understanding clinical\, attitudinal\, and infrastructural barriers to vaccination\, and developing and testing interventions to address those barriers. O’Leary is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Council on School Health\, serves as chair of the Committee on Infectious Diseases\, and served for many years as AAP liaison to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)\, serving on many ACIP work groups. He also serves as co-chair of the Policy Committee for Immunize Colorado and has been a speaker at the NFID Clinical Vaccinology Course since 2015. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDorit Rubinstein Reiss\, Ph.D.\n\n\n\nProfessor of law & James Edgar Hervey ’50 Chair of Litigation\, UC San FranciscoDorit Rubinstein Reiss\, Ph.D.\, is a professor of law and the James Edgar Hervey ’50 Chair of Litigation at UC Law in San Francisco. Now a nationally recognized expert on vaccine law\, Reiss received her undergraduate degree in law and political science from the Faculty of Law in the Hebrew University of Jerusalem\, and her PhD from the Jurisprudence and Social Policy program at the University of California Berkeley. Her current research and activities focus on legal and policy issues related to vaccines. She writes about vaccines mandates\, policy responses to non-vaccinating\, tort issues and administrative issues related to vaccines\, and the anti-vaccine movement.
URL:https://healthjournalism.org/big-changes-to-the-cdcs-childhood-vaccine-schedule-what-you-need-to-know/
CATEGORIES:Event,Infectious Diseases,Medical Studies,Webinar
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260121T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260121T140000
DTSTAMP:20260403T185106
CREATED:20251219T182017Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260121T220747Z
UID:62085-1769000400-1769004000@healthjournalism.org
SUMMARY:Building audience with local climate-health stories
DESCRIPTION:Climate change is often covered as a vast\, global crisis\, defined by melting ice sheets\, stalled international agreements and the persistent grip of fossil fuels. What gets far less attention are the local stories unfolding across the country: clinics adapting to wildfire\, counties redesigning emergency response plans for extreme heat\, public health responses to vector-borne diseases and more. \n\n\n\nThese stories reveal what’s working\, who’s innovating and where communities are making progress in protecting public health. For health journalists\, this gap is an opportunity — you just need to know where to look. In this webinar\, we’ll explore strategies\, tools and reporting pathways that can help you find compelling\, community-driven stories at the intersection of climate change and public health. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nModerator\n\n\n\n\nKatie Burke\n\n\n\nAHCJ Environmental Health Beat LeaderKatie L. Burke is an award-winning editor and serves as senior contributing editor at American Scientist. Burke has a doctorate in biology and a rich background in conservation\, forest history\, and disease ecology\, bringing a profound understanding of scientific nuances to her work. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nModerator\n\n\n\n\nJoanne Kenen\n\n\n\nJournalist-in-Residence\, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthContributing writer\, POLITICO MagazineLong-time health reporter on and off Capitol Hill. Oversaw all the health coverage at Politico for about a decade – now I’m a contributing writer to Politico Magazine\, and the Journalist-in-Residence at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health\, where I also teach. I’m a regular on the KHN “What the Health” podcast. I was AHCJ’s first topic leader (on health reform) and the conferences are a highlight of my year. @JoanneKenen \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJenae Barnes\n\n\n\nHealth and environment reporter\, Capital B GaryJenae Barnes covers issues at the intersection of public health\, environmental justice\, and the lived experiences of Black communities\, with a particular focus on the Midwest and national audiences. She is recognized for deeply reported\, community-centered journalism\, blending investigative rigor with narrative storytelling. Her reporting frequently highlights the impacts of climate change\, gender and health disparities\, and she has experience amplifying underrepresented voices. \n\n\n\nBarnes was selected as a 2024 Pulitzer Center Story Reach Reporting Fellow and participated in the 2023 Wake Forest University Environmental and Epistemic Justice Fellowship. She is also a 2025 participant in the AHCJ German Health Care Study Group\, where she will report on the health care experiences of Black expatriates in Germany. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKeerti Gopal\n\n\n\nHealth and justice reporter\, Inside Climate NewsKeerti Gopal covers intersections between climate change\, public health and environmental justice at Inside Climate News. Previously\, she covered climate activism and movement repression. She is a National Geographic Explorer and has received fellowships from Fulbright\, the Solutions Journalism Network\, The Lever\, and the National Press Foundation. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMatthew Tejada\, Ph.D.\n\n\n\nSenior vice president\, environmental health\, Natural Resources Defense CouncilAs the chief visionary and strategist for NRDC’s advocacy to protect human health\, Matthew Tejada oversees NRDC’s clean air\, water\, toxics\, and adaptation programs. He is also responsible for leading\, scaling\, and operationalizing the teams\, structures\, partnerships\, and policy initiatives needed to tackle major health threats facing communities.  \n\n\n\nPrior to joining NRDC\, Tejada served most recently as the deputy assistant administrator for environmental justice within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office for Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights. In his 10 years with the EPA\, Tejada led all aspects of environmental justice work throughout the agency and in coordination with other federal agencies\, including the development of an array of grants and technical assistance vehicles\, and the creation and deployment of a nationally consistent screening and mapping tool that highlights environmental justice issues across the United States. His work also direct community engagement\, outreach and communication\, and management of the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council.
URL:https://healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/01/building-audience-with-local-climate-health-stories/
CATEGORIES:Environmental Health,Event,Webinar
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260128T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260128T140000
DTSTAMP:20260403T185106
CREATED:20260120T231745Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260128T225117Z
UID:62275-1769605200-1769608800@healthjournalism.org
SUMMARY:A conversation on 'The Cure for Everything': Where American public health is and where it's headed
DESCRIPTION:For the first time in a century\, American life expectancy is declining\, an unprecedented trend for a wealthy nation and one driven largely by preventable causes of early death. The foundations of public health reforms — sanitation\, clean water\, safe housing\, pollution control\, workplace safety\, and more — doubled America’s life expectancy between the mid-1800s and today. \n\n\n\nBut the nation has now spent a century shifting money and attention away from public health and toward clinical medicine. The pandemic exposed the cost of that shift\, including widening health inequities\, inadequate emergency response coordination\, and erosion of public trust.  \n\n\n\nIn her book “The Cure for Everything: The Epic Struggle for Public Health and a Radical Vision for Human Thriving\,” Michelle Williams tells the story of how the U.S. overcame a history of infectious disease\, poisonous environments\, and early death and how it’s still possible to rebalance clinical medicine and public health to prevent hundreds of thousands of annual avoidable premature deaths and improve all Americans’ quality of life. \n\n\n\nIn this webinar\, Williams will talk about key lessons from her book that could inspire lines of investigation for journalists. Linda Marsa\, a health journalist who helped Williams with the book\, will briefly address how that collaboration worked and how journalists can mine the book for story ideas in their communities.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nModerator\n\n\n\n\nTara Haelle\n\n\n\nAHCJ Health Beat Leader for Infectious Diseases\, Medical StudiesTara Haelle is AHCJ’s health beat leader for infectious diseases and medical studies. She’s an independent science/health journalist\, author\, speaker\, and photographer. Her work has appeared in the National Geographic\, Scientific American\, Texas Monthly\, Science News\, Medscape/WebMD\, The New York Times\, Wired\, and O Magazine\, among others. She specializes in public health and medical research\, particularly vaccines\, infectious disease\, maternal and pediatric health\, mental health\, healthcare disparities\, and misinformation. She also covers medical research conferences and edits Long COVID Connection on Medium. Haelle earned a master’s in photojournalism from the University of Texas at Austin\, and her images have appeared in Texas Monthly\, NPR\, the\, Chicago Sun-Times and elsewhere. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMichelle A. Williams\, ScD\n\n\n\nProfessor of epidemiology and population health\, Stanford University School of Medicine Michelle A. Williams\, ScD\, is a professor of epidemiology and population health at Stanford University School of Medicine and former Dean of the Faculty at Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health\, where she also served as the Angelopoulos Professor in Public Health and International Development and currently holds an adjunct professorship. An internationally renowned epidemiologist and award-winning educator\, Dr. Williams is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the American Epidemiological Society. She has authored more than 550 peer-reviewed research articles and is recognized as a leading voice in public health science and global health. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLinda Marsa\n\n\n\nInvestigative journalist and authorContributing editor\, DiscoverLinda Marsa is a former Los Angeles Times reporter and a Discover contributing editor who covers medicine\, health\, and the environment. Her latest book\, which she wrote with Dr. Michelle Williams\, “The Cure for Everything: The Epic Struggle for Public Health and a Radical Vision for Human Thriving\,” will be published in February 2026. Her work has been anthologized in “Best American Science Writing\,” and she has previously authored two books\, most recently: “Fevered: Why a Hotter Planet Will Harm Our Health and How We Can Save Ourselves.”
URL:https://healthjournalism.org/a-conversation-on-the-cure-for-everything-where-american-public-health-is-and-where-its-headed/
CATEGORIES:Event,Infectious Diseases,Medical Studies,Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://healthjournalism.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/The-cure-for-everything-webinar-featured-img.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260212T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260212T140000
DTSTAMP:20260403T185106
CREATED:20260204T173220Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260212T214422Z
UID:62460-1770901200-1770904800@healthjournalism.org
SUMMARY:Vaccine injury compensation in the U.S.: Current practices and future prospects
DESCRIPTION:The U.S. has relied on the federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program since 1986 to ensure that individuals who have experienced a verified injury related to a vaccine have an opportunity to receive compensation without the difficulties and legal fees of pursuing individual litigation against companies or healthcare institutions that likely would not succeed with the high burden of proof needed in such cases.  \n\n\n\nRecent announcements from the HHS and statements by HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr.\, however\, suggest he may try to make substantial changes to the program that may threaten petitioners’ ability to receive appropriate compensation or threaten vaccine production and supply in ways similar to those that led to the program’s development. Hear from experts how the U.S. vaccine court came about\, how the program works from both the petitioner’s and the government’s sides\, how changes might affect vaccine supply and access\, and what might result from different potential changes to the program.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nModerator\n\n\n\n\nTara Haelle\n\n\n\nAHCJ Health Beat Leader for Infectious Diseases and Medical StudiesTara Haelle is AHCJ’s health beat leader for infectious diseases and medical studies. She’s an independent science/health journalist\, author\, speaker\, and photographer. Her work has appeared in the National Geographic\, Scientific American\, Texas Monthly\, Science News\, Medscape/WebMD\, The New York Times\, Wired\, and O Magazine\, among others. She specializes in public health and medical research\, particularly vaccines\, infectious disease\, maternal and pediatric health\, mental health\, healthcare disparities\, and misinformation. She also covers medical research conferences and edits Long COVID Connection on Medium. Haelle earned a master’s in photojournalism from the University of Texas at Austin\, and her images have appeared in Texas Monthly\, NPR\, the\, Chicago Sun-Times and elsewhere. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAnna Kirkland\, J.D.\, Ph.D.\n\n\n\nKim Lane Scheppele Collegiate Professor of Women’s and Gender Studies\, University of Michigan \n\n\n\nAnna Kirkland\, J.D.\, Ph.D.\, is the Kim Lane Scheppele Collegiate Professor of Women’s and Gender Studies at the University of Michigan. She is also an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor. She received her law degree (2001) and Ph.D in Jurisprudence and Social Policy (2003) from the University of California\, Berkeley. She holds courtesy appointments with the School of Law\, Sociology\, Political Science\, and Health Management and Policy at Michigan. Her research has been funded by the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. Prof. Kirkland is a member of Michigan’s Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation and served as a committee member on the 2018 National Academies panel charged with studying sexual harassment in the STEM fields of academia. Prof. Kirkland is the author of several books including Vaccine Court: The Law and Politics of Injury (New York University Press\, 2016)\, along with multiple journal articles about vaccine injury compensation.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMichael Milmoe\, J.D.\n\n\n\nPartner\, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant & AssociatesMichael P. Milmoe currently represents vaccine-injured petitioners at the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant\, LLC\, in Washington\, D.C. where he has been a Senior Partner since 2017. Prior to becoming a petitioner’s attorney\, he worked at the Department of Justice for 31 years\, 28 of which were spent as an attorney in the Vaccine Litigation Section of the Civil Division where he defended Vaccine Program cases. Upon graduation from law school\, Mr. Milmoe came to the Department of Justice as an Honors Program Attorney in 1986. He was the first attorney hired into the Civil Division’s then newly created Office of Vaccine Litigation in 1988\, the same year the Vaccine Act became effective. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWalter Orenstein\, M.D.\n\n\n\nProfessor Emeritus of Medicine\, Pediatrics\, Epidemiology and Global Health\, Emory UniversityWalter A Orenstein\, MD\, DSc (Hon) is Professor Emeritus of Medicine\, Pediatrics\, Epidemiology\, and Global Health at Emory University. He is also the Director of OrensteinVax\, LLC\, a consulting firm. Dr. Orenstein worked at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for 26 years and was the Director of the United States Immunization Program for 16 years (1988-2004). He has co-edited the standard textbook in Vaccinology\, Plotkin’s Vaccines for the last 6 editions. His work has focused on developing and implementing vaccination policies especially with regard to polio eradication and measles elimination.
URL:https://healthjournalism.org/vaccine-injury-compensation-in-the-u-s-current-practices-and-future-prospects/
CATEGORIES:Event,Infectious Diseases,Webinar
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260220T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260220T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T185106
CREATED:20260206T211149Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260206T211150Z
UID:62511-1771603200-1771606800@healthjournalism.org
SUMMARY:Virtual freelance happy hour
DESCRIPTION:Freelancers are invited to a casual virtual happy hour — come as you are\, bring a drink\, and enjoy conversation with peers.
URL:https://healthjournalism.org/event/virtual-freelance-happy-hour/
CATEGORIES:Event,Freelancers
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260312T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260312T130000
DTSTAMP:20260403T185106
CREATED:20260302T184849Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260312T210245Z
UID:62749-1773316800-1773320400@healthjournalism.org
SUMMARY:Understanding ChatGPT Health: How large language models are being used to triage care
DESCRIPTION:Earlier this year\, OpenAI launched ChatGPT Health\, a feature allowing users to incorporate data from their medical records and wellness apps to ask questions about their health and test results\, and understand potential treatment options. \n\n\n\nIn this webinar\, panelists will cover how it works\, the potential benefits and cautions for this and other ChatGPT platforms\, how patients and physicians are using large language models in health care now\, and what journalists and consumers need to know. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nModerator\n\n\n\n\nKaren Blum\n\n\n\nAHCJ Health Beat Leader for AI and Patient SafetyKaren Blum is AHCJ’s health beat leader for AI and Patient Safety\, guiding coverage at the intersection of emerging technology and patient protection. An independent health and science journalist based in the Baltimore area\, she previously covered Health IT for AHCJ.  \n\n\n\nBlum has written for publications such as the Baltimore Sun\, Pharmacy Practice News\, Clinical Oncology News\, Clinical Laboratory News\, Cancer Today\, CURE\, AARP.org\, General Surgery News and Infectious Disease Special Edition; has covered numerous medical conferences for trade magazines and news services; and has written many profiles and articles on medical and science research as well as trends in health care and health IT. She has been a contest judge for AHCJ’s Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism. Blum also is a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) and chairs its Virtual Education Committee. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHenry Bair\, M.D.\, MBA\n\n\n\nResident physician\, Wills Eye HospitalHenry Bair M.D.\, MBA\, is a resident physician at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. Previously\, he was a fellow at Stanford University’s Clinical Excellence Research Center\, a researcher at the Stanford Center for Policy\, Outcomes\, and Prevention\, and curriculum director of digital health courses at Stanford Medical School. His writings on health policy and digital health have appeared in JAMA Pediatrics\, NEJM AI\, Digital Health\, Public Health Reports\, and Academic Medicine\, as well as SF Chronicle\, The Hill\, STAT News\, and MedPage Today. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRachael Robertson\n\n\n\nEnterprise and investigative writer\, MedPage TodayRachael Robertson is a New York City-based health journalist and audio producer. She covers all things medicine as part of MedPage Today’s investigative and enterprise team\, with a particular focus on pop culture\, public health\, and medical misinformation. Rachael is also MedPage Today’s beat leader for ob/gyn news and the creator\, host\, and producer of the bi-weekly health news podcast MedPod Today. In 2025\, Rachael was one of AHCJ’s inaugural Uncovering Pathways to Better Health fellows. She is a proud graduate of the City University of New York’s Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism. Before pivoting careers to journalism\, Rachael worked in communications for a New York City elder care organization.
URL:https://healthjournalism.org/understanding-chatgpt-health-on-demand-webinar/
CATEGORIES:AI and Patient Safety,Event,Webinar
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260320T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260320T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T185106
CREATED:20260206T211338Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260206T211339Z
UID:62513-1774022400-1774026000@healthjournalism.org
SUMMARY:Virtual freelance happy hour
DESCRIPTION:Freelancers are invited to a casual virtual happy hour — come as you are\, bring a drink\, and enjoy conversation with peers.
URL:https://healthjournalism.org/event/virtual-freelance-happy-hour-2/
CATEGORIES:Event,Freelancers
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260417T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260417T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T185106
CREATED:20260206T211516Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260206T211518Z
UID:62515-1776441600-1776445200@healthjournalism.org
SUMMARY:Virtual freelance happy hour
DESCRIPTION:Freelancers are invited to a casual virtual happy hour — come as you are\, bring a drink\, and enjoy conversation with peers.
URL:https://healthjournalism.org/event/virtual-freelance-happy-hour-3/
CATEGORIES:Event,Freelancers
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260515T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260515T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T185106
CREATED:20260206T211715Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260206T211718Z
UID:62517-1778860800-1778864400@healthjournalism.org
SUMMARY:Virtual freelance happy hour
DESCRIPTION:Freelancers are invited to a casual virtual happy hour — come as you are\, bring a drink\, and enjoy conversation with peers.
URL:https://healthjournalism.org/event/virtual-freelance-happy-hour-4/
CATEGORIES:Event,Freelancers
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260527T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260530T235959
DTSTAMP:20260403T185106
CREATED:20260121T224600Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260121T224603Z
UID:62297-1779840000-1780185599@healthjournalism.org
SUMMARY:Health Journalism 2026
DESCRIPTION:Pack your bags for the City of Lakes! The Association of Health Care Journalists and the Center for Excellence in Health Care Journalism are thrilled to bring Health Journalism ’26 to Minneapolis from May 27–30. Expect four energizing days of immersive field trips\, standout sessions\, hands-on workshops and abundant opportunities to connect with colleagues from across the country. \n\n\n\n“I’m excited that we’re returning to the middle of the country for our annual conference\, after holding the last two in LA and New York\,” said Gideon Gil\, AHCJ board president. “This year\, we’re starting the conference a day earlier\, on a Wednesday\, and ending on Saturday afternoon\, to make it easier for attendees to stay through the last sessions before having to head home.” \n\n\n\nAt a moment when truth and accountability matter more than ever\, we’ll bring together journalists\, health care professionals\, policymakers and industry experts for timely discussions. Be a part of the conversation (and pitch your ideas for sessions until Jan. 30\, 2026) as we explore health care’s biggest challenges and examine emerging opportunities and solutions. As always\, you’ll walk away with plenty of story ideas and new contacts. \n\n\n\nThis year’s conference will also feature the 22nd annual Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism\, a celebration of the best work in health care reporting. \n\n\n\n“AHCJ is committed to moving our conference around the U.S. to make it more accessible to our members\,” said Kelsey Ryan\, AHCJ executive director. “We’re excited to give a national lens to local places each year\, and Minneapolis has a lot that everyone can learn from.”  \n\n\n\nBeyond the sessions\, Minneapolis offers so much to see and do. Visit George Floyd Square at the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue\, which will soon have a memorial. Listen to live music on First Avenue or wander through the legendary Minneapolis Sculpture Garden\, home to Claes Oldenburg’s iconic “Spoonbridge and Cherry” sculpture. Dive into the city’s vibrant art scene at the Minneapolis Institute of Art\, the Mill City Museum\, the Weisman Art Museum and the Walker Art Center. And don’t forget to schedule a guided tour of Paisley Park\, Prince’s former home and recording studio. \n\n\n\nMore details coming soon — but for now\, save the dates\, submit a session pitch and start making plans to be in Minneapolis!
URL:https://healthjournalism.org/training-events/health-journalism-2026/
CATEGORIES:Annual Conference,Event
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