Representatives of the Texas Medical Association and the Bexar County Medical Society have presented TPR’s Bioscience-Medicine Reporter Wendy Rigby with the Texas Health Journalist of the Year Award, and reporter Paul Flahive with first place honors in the In-Depth Radio category.
Rigby’s award recognizes her reporting in 2016 on the public health threat posed by theZika virus.
One judge singled out Rigby’s “multi-faceted approach” and her recognition of the many aspects of the threat: the danger to expectant mothers; concerns about blood screening; lab research; and animal trials focused on formulating a vaccine.
“This approach would do a lot to allay fears of the community and citizens,” said Dr. Jayesh B. Shah, Past President of the Bexar County Medical Society.
Judges recognized Flahive’s story, “Ease in Anti-Overdose Drug Access Leads to More Lives Saved," which documented the work being done by a street team of medical providers trying to save the lives of opioid-addicted individuals. "An extremely important topic handled with excellent writing, producing, and superb interviews- a terrific story,” the judges said.
Texas Public Radio News Director Shelley Kofler called the awards: “Great recognition of the hard work and commitment by our outstanding reporters and news team to address pressing medical needs in our community. Providing our audience with information that can improve lives and health outcomes is a high priority at Texas Public Radio.”