I've been covering news for about 10 years. I started focusing on health when I joined KPCC's team in 2006. I find health stories ripe and pertinent to many issues beyond the national dialogue whether or not to revamp the health care system. Budget cuts that deny children medical coverage, racial disparities that minimize fresh-food choices in brown and black neighborhoods and language barriers that isolate foreign-born patients are all reflections of our society.

I enjoy finding and telling those compelling, personal stories.

The LA. Press club nominated me for Reporter of the Year, 2009. The Association of Healthcare Journalists nominated a three-part series I produced for Best Health Reporting, 2009. Over the years, my work has received local and national accolades for being thorough, sensitive and thought-provoking.

I am honored to participate in this forum about issues that affect each of us.