Elizabeth Hanes

I am an award-winning journalist who was tapped to be WebMD’s public health blogger at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

I first attempted freelance journalism in 1994 but met with no success. Undeterred, I kept pitching over the years until someone took a chance on me, and that happened in 2002, when I began writing weekly cover features for AntiqueWeek trade newspaper. I went on to be published by other print publications, including Collector’s Weekly, Art+Antiques, Military Officer, Antique Trader, Mirage (the alumni magazine of the University of New Mexico), and Colorado Springs Gazette. I also begin exploring digital writing, contributing articles to sites like Writing World, Absolute Write, and History.com.

I won my first writing award in 2009 for my blog “ABQ on the Cheap,” which tracked deals and discounts available in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This was a “people’s choice” award, given based on voting by readers of ABQ the Magazine.

In 2010, I won an Online Journalism Award for “Best Commentary/Blogging (small newsroom)” for my 36-week chronicle “Dad Has Dementia,” produced for Caring.com. Winners in the medium and large newsroom categories included ESPN’s Howard Bryant and Salon’s Glenn Greenwald.

In 2011, I served on the pre-launch editorial team for PBS’ NextAvenue website, developing core health and financial content for the new website.

In 2016, I represented ASJA at Content Marketing World by serving on a panel to discuss how editors and clients could find and hire “unicorn” freelance writers.

As the World Wide Web expanded, so did my writing career. Like many journalists, I branched out into content marketing writing. I earned a nursing degree in 2008, and in 2010 I started freelancing full-time. I contributed health content and brand journalism to such notable brands as Anthem, Aetna, WebMD, Dignity Health, Stanford Health Care, PBS NextAvenue, and many others.

In 2014, I started a blog to help other nurses become freelance writers, too. In 2024, “RN2writer” celebrates its 10th anniversary. Now offering courses and coaching, we have helped over 7,000 nurses enter the worlds of health journalism and content writing. We also offer a free “matching” service for editors and clients seeking trained health professionals to produce health articles and content assets.