This week’s Pulitzer announcements demonstrated just how far health journalism spread its wings in 2010, with health-related stories snagging wins and nominations for work related to everything from business to commentary to feature writing. Several AHCJ members were among the nominees, and Covering Health readers will recognize a significant number of the bylines and storylines. We’ve pulled the health-related award text below straight from Pulitzer.org and linked to related content when possible. Winning entries are in bold.
Explanatory Reporting
- Awarded Mark Johnson, Kathleen Gallagher, Gary Porter, Lou Saldivar and Alison Sherwood of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel for their lucid examination of an epic effort to use genetic technology to save a 4-year-old boy imperiled by a mysterious disease, told with words, graphics, videos and other images.
- Staff of The Wall Street Journal
For its penetration of the shadowy world of fraud and abuse in Medicare, probing previously concealed government databases to identify millions of dollars in waste and corrupt practices.- Award entry questionnaire about how the series was reported (AHCJ members only)
- WSJ sues for release of Medicare provider data
- WSJ exposes flaws of Medicare’s pay now, investigate later culture
- WSJ details conflicts that drive spine fusion surgery
- WSJ explains why Medicare data is hidden
- Staff of The Washington Post
For its exploration of how the military is using trauma surgery, brain science and other techniques both old and new to reduce fatalities among the wounded in warfare, telling the story with words, images and other tools.
Editorial Writing
- Awarded to Joseph Rago of The Wall Street Journal for his well crafted, against-the-grain editorials challenging the health care reform advocated by President Obama.
Investigative Reporting
- Walt Bogdanich of The New York Times
For his spotlighting of medical radiation errors that injure thousands of Americans, sparking national discussion and remedial steps. - Sam Roe and Jared S. Hopkins of Chicago Tribune
For their investigation, in print and online, of 13 deaths at a home for severely disabled children and young adults, resulting in a state effort to close the facility.
Public Service
- The New York Times
For the work of Alan Schwarz in illuminating the peril of concussions in football and other sports, spurring a national discussion and a re-examination of helmets and of medical and coaching practices.
Local Reporting
- Marshall Allen and Alex Richards of Las Vegas Sun
For their compelling reports on patients who suffered preventable injuries and other harm during hospital care, taking advantage of print and digital tools to drive home their findings.- Article: DocumentCloud opens a window into inspection reports for readers (Written for AHCJ members by Marshall Allen)
- Award entry questionnaire about how the series was reported (AHCJ members only)
- Allen looks at present, future of Nev. transparency
- Las Vegas Sun caps series by showing solutions
- Quest for profit behind patient safety problems in Las Vegas hospitals
- Hospital infections on rise in Nev., reporters find
- Analysis of billing record data reveals hospital quality issues in Las Vegas
National Reporting
- David Evans of Bloomberg News
For his revelations of how life insurance companies retained death benefits owed to families of military veterans and other Americans, leading to government investigations and remedial changes.
Feature Writing
- Tony Bartelme of The Post and Courier, Charleston, SC
For his engaging account of a South Carolina neurosurgeon’s quest to teach brain surgery in Tanzania, possibly providing a new model for health care in developing countries.- Award entry questionnaire about how the story was reported (AHCJ members only)
