I am a reporter at Kaiser Health News. Previously, I covered health and welfare at California Watch, a project of the Center for Investigative Reporting. Prior to that, I wrote about health at ProPublica, based in New York City. Before that, I covered crime and general assignment for 5.5 years at the Sacramento Bee. I grew up about 35 mins outside of Chicago, in Northwest Indiana to be precise. I went to Indiana University.

In my spare time, I enjoy skiing, bird watching, hiking, camping, reading, cooking and discovering great Indie music. My partner is a pre-silicon engineer and my cat, Sebastian, is terribly spoiled.

Articles

Prosecutions of elder abuse cases decline under Jerry Brown

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>The office of Attorney General Jerry Brown has dismissed an increasing number of criminal cases against defendants suspected of elder abuse, while cutting back on surprise inspections to investigate violence and neglect in nursing homes. A California Watch review of elder abuse prosecutions found Brown's office in sharp contrast with his predecessor, Bill Lockyer, who made similar cases a top priority during his two terms. In addition to dismissing abuse prosecutions already in motion, Brown's office has filed fewer new cases per year than Lockyer's office.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Fellowships retrospective: on emergency rooms, poverty stats and running amok

<p><em>This weekend was the second session of the California Endowment Health Journalism Fellowship conferences in Los Angeles, and the <a href="http://www.reportingonhealth.org/fellowships">event</a&gt; provided some fascinating and newsy morsels. Here's a round-up of what some of the speakers had to say (Check out more detailed blog items <a href="http://www.reportingonhealth.org/blogs">here</a&gt; as well.).</em></p>