Testimonials & FAQ

Testimonials

“It’s clear that this program has been given and fine-tuned over time. The presentations are not only straightforward, but often entertaining…The faculty could not be more responsive or helpful…This is one of the best news conferences I’ve ever attended and in many ways, it can hardly be improved upon.”
- Joe Fahy, 2008, Pittsburgh Post Gazette

“I thought it was absolutely incredible. I came out of the program a much better reporter when it came to writing and reporting on medical research. The public would be healthier and wiser if every medical reporter was able to enroll in this program before covering scientific studies and screenings. Not to mention, the food was fantastic!”
- Hiran Ratnayake, 2007, Delaware News Journal

“…attending last year's Medicine in the Media course was the best thing I have done for my career. Walking away from the course with a massive binder and an armful of handouts was quite symbolic of the intensity of the weekend and density of material covered. Not only was it enlightening to learn how (and when) to determine absolute and relative risk and the relevance of p-value, for example, the course also lent broader context to the realm in which we operate as health reporters. Between the many real world examples of errors created or perpetuated by journalists covering health and medicine to the less-than-pure intentions of sources from industry to academia, I found the experience illuminating in unexpected ways.”
- Sarah Baldauf, 2008, U.S. News & World Report

“This is a well-organized, extremely informative course. No health reporter should miss this. It’s that important.”
- Lisa Rosetta, 2007, The Salt Lake Tribune

"This kind of repetition and education may cause small changes that have a ripple effect and eventually change the entire media industry to report more soundly and accurately on medical research and health care."
- Jennifer Gangloff, 2007, Freelance Writer

“I have to say it was simply the most informative conference I've ever attended. It completely altered my perspective on scientific studies, making me question seemingly well designed studies in reputable medical journals. I learned to look for hidden numbers that may be buried deep within tables or perhaps not reported at all. And it enabled me to better put risks into perspective. Bravo to the professors who teach this course. I've used some of them as sources since then.”
- Deborah Kotz, 2007, U.S. News & World Report

“This was the best seminar I’ve ever attended! Every lecture was interesting (really) and, most importantly, applicable to my job. I will definitely look at studies more critically…”
- Shamane Mills, 2007, Wisconsin Public Radio

“The information I learned here is such a great basis for my health journalism career. Even though I am a local journalist in a small community (small state), I still found relevance in every presentation…The speakers were great and funny. Even though it was a physically and mentally exhausting week, they kept my interest.”
- Allison Rupp, 2008, Casper Star-Tribune

“Thank you so much for the organizing and sponsoring such an important and worthwhile conference. I am honored that I was that I was selected to participate in a seminar with such distinguished leaders and such a noble mission.”
- Nicole Sarrubo, 2008, Consumer Reports on Health

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I have to apply for the course? Why can't I just sign up?
Space in the course is limited to 50 participants. Over the years we’ve learned that this is the maximum number for which the course content can be provided effectively, in order to allow sufficient discussion between faculty and participants. We’ve also found that more than 50 journalists are interested each year, hence the application process.

How competitive is this—what are my chances of getting in?
In recent years, one-half to one-third of applicants have been admitted. We’ve had as many as 225 applications for the 50 available seats.

What kinds of applicants are you seeking?
We’re looking for journalists and editors who cover health for lay audiences, and who are eager to hone their skills in weighing medical evidence and interpreting scientific findings to better serve the needs and interests of the general public. Overall, our goal is to form a class that includes participants from a wide variety of locations and media, and with varying levels of experience.

I took the course before but I'd like a refresher and I see that it's changed a bit--can I get in again?
Because our space is so limited, our priority is to offer the opportunity first to applicants who have not yet participated in the course. Given application rates in recent years, we would expect to receive at least 50 new applicants this year. That said, if space permits, we would be happy to have you, so please feel free to apply.

Four writers from my organization would like to attend—is there a chance we can all get in? Should just one of us apply?
That depends on how many applications we receive. If there are enough applicants from different organizations to fill the 50 seats, we would likely only admit one of you. If there is space, though, we would conceivably be happy to have you all. If more than one of you applies, please prioritize the applicants from your organization so that if we are only able to admit one or two, we’ll know which you prefer. You can do this using one of the narrative fields in the on-line application, or by sending a separate e-mail to medmedia@od.nih.gov.

I'm a blogger - am I eligible?
Yes. We are especially looking for prominent bloggers whose material is focused on health and medicine.

I currently work in a different field, but would like to move into health journalism—should I apply?
Specific experience in covering health or science is not a prerequisite for the course, but we do give preference to journalists currently working on health and medicine topics at least part of the time. Nonetheless, you are welcome to apply, and should space be available, you would be considered eligible.

Do you accept editors?
Yes—in fact, we wish more would apply, so please apply and tell your colleagues!

Do you accept public information officers?
Rarely if ever. Unfortunately, we only have 50 seats in the course and priority is given to health journalists whose work reaches a large, lay audience. We typically receive over 200 applicants, and writers from research institutions aren’t typically accepted. We recognize that the course content would be valuable to PIO's and are considering ways of providing the course content online to serve them and others who may be interested. In the meantime, you are certainly welcome to apply, but please understand that the likelihood of acceptance is relatively slim.

Do you accept freelancers?
Yes. It is especially important for freelancers to provide detailed information describing their work, including which outlets have published their material and when.

Do you accept international applicants?
Yes. Although we expect the majority of participants to be living and working in the U.S., we typically admit a few international applicants each year.

Do you accept students?
Graduate students and undergraduate seniors preparing for a career in health/science journalism are welcome to apply. Preference will be given to students with work experience.

If I attend, will I get some kind of official credit?
Those who complete the course receive a certificate indicating their participation, but the certificate is not associated with any official credentialing body.

How will I know the status of my application?
As soon as you submit your application, you’ll receive a confirmation via e-mail. You’ll hear from us again via e-mail approximately two months prior to the course with a decision. This will allow 8 weeks prior to the course to make travel and other arrangements. If you have a serious, pressing need to know whether you’ve been accepted at an earlier stage, please write to us at medmedia@od.nih.gov with justification for the early request. Otherwise, please be patient, as repeated inquiries will only slow the process for all applicants.

If I get in, what will attending cost me or my employer?
Your meals and lodging will be provided for the duration of the course. You will need to cover your travel expenses to and from the course location (either Bethesda, M.D. or Hanover , N.H.) and ground transportation to and from the airport.

What if I can only attend for part of the course?
The course is designed as a cohesive unit, with all sessions integral to the whole. We expect that participants will arrange to arrive on time and stay for the duration. If you anticipate a conflict, please let us know as part of your application or as soon as possible thereafter.