ABOUT ERIN

Can a public health journalist be a public health EDUCATOR?

It’s a niche question, to be sure. But it’s one I’ve asked myself frequently, as a global public health journalist working to finish her master’s in public health degree in health education and promotion.

Health educators are usually employed by government agencies or for-profit hospitals and medical systems. Can a journalist, beholden to no agenda but the truth and divorced from politics, accomplish the same mission — and perhaps even do a better job, given their objective approach to presenting the facts?

I think so — and i’ve made it my mission.

I’m a seasoned public health journalist with master’s-level education in health education, communication, and promotion. While working as Fortune magazine’s first global public health reporter, I covered virtual press conferences held by the World Health Organization, Pan American Health Organization, and the U.S. Centers Control and Prevention. When I wasn’t breaking global health news on topics like COVID, Ebola, polio, and other dangerous pathogens, I wrote daily explainers and weekend features on topics like the causes and biomarkers of Long COVID; the rapid, intense nature of SARS-CoV-2 evolution; and the validity of the term “immunity debt.”

For me, good public health journalism looks like leading the conversation on vital health topics — not simply parroting what other publications are writing. It means asking tough questions to tease out the politics that have become so entwined with public health. And it entails shedding light on health inequities throughout the world — regardless of what feathers such reporting may ruffle.

If our vision for public health coverage aligns, let's talk.

publications

select experience

  • University of California San Diego Sanford Stem Cell Institute, February 2024 - present

    Produces content — including blogs and social media posts — to increase the visibility of academic researchers and public health nonprofits. Contributes to strategic plans; manages projects; develops speeches & presentations; designs graphics and print publications.

  • Fortune magazine, March 2022-February 2024

    Consistently among Fortune’s most read authors, bringing in nearly 2 million readers each month, on average. Fortune’s No. 2 most read author of 2022. Covered international public health, from daily breaking/hard news and explainer pieces to weekend features. Topics regularly reported on include COVID, MPOX, flu, polio, and other pathogens, in addition to Long COVID, animal health/One Health, medical research, the history of public health and epidemics, and preparation for future pandemics. Regularly covered World Health Organization, Pan American Health Organization, & U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention press availabilities.

  • The Gazette, Colorado Springs, Colo., January 2020-March 2022

    Ensured the production of a quality newspaper each evening. Planned and edited special sections. Reported one day a week on long-term health projects.

  • Colorado Politics, Denver, Colo., August 2016 - January 2020

    Handled flow of daily copy, editing and posting, as well as optimizing for the web. Responsible for compiling and sending twice-daily email newsletters and breaking news alerts. Wrote articles and reported. Proofread weekly print product and assisted with transmission to the printer. Strategically posted content to social media; created graphics for social media.

  • The Gazette, Colorado Springs, Colo., November 2008 - February 2014

    Employed in various capacities — including full time, part time, and freelance contractor — at The Gazette as a military reporter, Pikes Peak Parent website/social media manager and magazine editor, copy editor, and page producer (designer).

  • Pueblo Community College, Pueblo, Colo.

    Taught “Intro to Mass Communications” and “Intermediate Newswriting & Editing.”

Education

  • University of Alabama School of Public Health

    • Summer 2025 anticipated graduation

  • Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, Washington State University

  • Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, Washington State University

  • Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, Washington State University

    • December 2022 anticipated graduation

  • Charter Oak State College, New Britain, Conn.

    • 2011 graduation

  • University of California at San Diego Extension

    • 2010 graduation

  • Pikes Peak State College, Colorado Springs, Colo.

    • 2009 graduation

awards & spotlights

  • Listen here.

  • One of 20 globally. Learn more here.

  • University of South Dakota
    2004-2005