Health & Medical Journalism | Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications | UGA Graduate Program

Students

Fall 2009 marks the official launch of the new MA concentration in Health and Medical Journalism, and current students and their work are featured here.

Fall 2009

Deborah Chasteen - I have an English degree; I can sing in public, and I can hold a drink-laden tray above my head. Surprisingly, none of these assets have proved lucrative. For years, on and off, I also did advertising graphic design. Editorial was upstairs. I knew I was on the wrong floor.

Sonya Collins has Masters and Bachelors degrees in Creative Writing. A native of Georgia, she has spent the last 14 years living between Brazil and New York City, where she taught writing at the City University of New York and New School University. An avid traveler and fluent speaker of Portuguese, Sonya has freelanced as a translator and interpreter and written extensively about her life abroad.

"Greenway Planning Is Food for Thought for Westside Residents" - Flagpole

James Hataway has a Masters degree in Religious Studies from the University of Tennessee. He joined the Grady family in 2008 to pursue a career in journalism. James is interested primarily in social and economic determinants of health. When not studying or writing stories for school, he works as a correspondent for the Athens Banner-Herald.

"Crime Fighting Collards" - WNEG - Harvesting Health

Yanli Liu graduated from Wuhan University in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in biology technology. In August 2009, she was awarded the Master of Science degree with a major in biology from Texas A&M University-Commerce. Her master's research projects focused on the neurotransmission in mammalian neural stem cells.

During a 30-year career as a pharmacist-editor, L. Michael Posey has worked on journals, books, newsletters, and online articles for pharmacists. His current interests are in use of technology and new media for rapid information dissemination. An employee of the American Pharmacists Association, Posey is the father of three boys.

Jordan Sarver received his B.S. in Biology from Morehouse College. He made the transition to Grady because of his desire to convey what he had learned as a scientist to the everyday person. He is extremely passionate about health disparities and politics and focuses most of his writing on those topics.

"Eating Better at School" - WNEG - Harvesting Health

"Treatment Difficult for HIV Patients in Georgia" - The Grady Journal

"Elder Care in Hart County" - The Grady Journal

"Make The Most of Your Metabolism" - The Grady Journal

"Good Pain, Bad Pain" - The Grady Journal

"Dr. Camara Jones Uncovers the Relationship Between Racism and Health" - The Grady Journal

"A Rainy Night (or Day) in Georgia? Beware of Salmonella" - Scientific American

"Forum: Health disparities result from unequal opportunity"- Athens Banner-Herald

Stephanie Schupska has spent the last four years as a science writer/news editor for UGA's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Before coming to Athens, she worked in various aspects of newspapers - from reporter to managing editor. She received her B.A. in English from Valdosta State University.

"Ornamental grass promising for biofuel"

"Eating disorders rise as baby boomers crawl toward menopause"

"What's Killing All the Honeybees?"

"In 2007, corn comes first, before chicken or egg"

Spring 2009

Brian Creech

"Health Care: a Scarce Luxury for Immigrant Families," The Grady Journal

"Keeping Flu out of Chickens," The Grady Journal

"Training the Trainers: Making the gym as diverse as the shopping center," The Grady Journal

"Fighting Bad Body Images at the Gym," The Grady Journal

"Aging Gracefully in Oconee County," The Grady Journal

"Prof. examines prevalent disease," The Red & Black

"Day laborers find tough going in down market," Athens Banner-Herald

Anna Dolianitis

"Emergency care: identifying threats to rural communities," The Grady Journal

"Vitamins used when unnecessary, lacking when needed," The Grady Journal

"Just a Coffee?," The Grady Journal

"Seven simple secrets to successful sleep," The Grady Journal

"Are you a smart snacker?," The Grady Journal

Marona Graham-Bailey

"Health Risks with MySpace," The Grady Journal

"Dealing with Mental Illness in a Rural Area," The Grady Journal

"The Sex Education Debate Continues," The Grady Journal

"Cultural Competency and Mental Health," The Grady Journal

"Mary Frances Early once insulted, now revered at UGA," The Red & Black

"Panel discusses stigmas of LGBT community," The Red & Black

"Covering mental health issues in the black community," The Grady Journal

"I hear you, crazy old man," The Grady Journal

James Hataway

"Evaluating Sports Supplements," The Grady Journal

"Simple Ways to Avoid the Flu," The Grady Journal

"Burn Calories the Safe, Smart Way," The Grady Journal

"Gangs and Youth Health in Hall County," The Grady Journal

"Women and Coronary Heart Disease," The Grady Journal

Students interview activists in NOLA's Lower Ninth Ward.

The Grady Journal

For the last few months, students from Prof. Patricia Thomas' Health and Medical Reporting class and Mark E. Johnson's Documentary Photography course have been collaborating on stories looking at health care issues in the rural counties around Athens. Through words, photos, audio and video, they have investigated the issues of concern around the area, from athletes to gangs, teen pregnancy to aging.

Elbert County

Danielle Moore looks at the life of a high school student with a baby who still wants to go to college.
Just out of high school, a new father prepares to enlist, reports Seth McKelvey.
Teen pregnancy rates are cyclical so Parents as Teachers tries to use education to break the cycle reports Brian Miller.

Hall County

While the numbers of gang members have fallen over the last decade, James Hataway looks at the ongoing issues with them through the eyes of the Boys and Girls Club.
More than 4,000 kids, some of them former gang members, are part of the Boys and Girls Club as they search for a family and a healthier life, reports Laurie Moot.
Three dots tattooed near her eyes indicate the gang life a Gainesville woman used to be a part of, reports Allison Carter.
Autumn McBride reports that mental and emotional stress from gang membership can have a long term effect on the health of teenagers.

Hart County

Tommy McGahee reports that the AARP has stepped in to help out with activities at the local senior center.
The money side and the people side in the decision to cut the number of hours a senior center is open reports Beth Farrar.

Madison County

Finding stability and remaining a member of society is a struggle for a local resident, reports Jacqueline Reedy.
Beth Cooper looks at how Florence's Manor has helped a woman find balance and purpose in her life.
Time in jail can cause depression, but mental health issues are also a reason for being incarcerated according to inmates interviewed by Charles-Ryan Barber.
Marona Graham-Bailey reports on the shortage of mental health professionals.

Oconee County

With the largest population of older adults in the South, Brian Creech reports Georgia residents are finding ways to age gracefully.
At Highland Hills, Patricia Andrews reports that exercise is key to happiness and health.
Rachel Bailey finds that social activity and friendships help keep senior residents healthy.
Lesley Onstott reports that art programs that enhance creativity can promote health and longevity for seniors.

Oglethorpe County

Anna Doliantis looks at the challenges of rural emergency medical services and the turnover rates of personnel.
Safety for student athletes is a primary concern as Olglethorpe County High School doesn't have a full time medical trainer, reports Dorothy Kozlowski.
Jim Diffly reports that emergency medical service personnel are training more to maintain a high quality of service because of both a low number of calls and the 18 mile distance to the nearest hospital.

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