An award-winning freelance writer specializing in health, I have written content for hospitals, research institutions, universities, non-profits, and agencies. Currently, I assist BrightFocus Foundation with freelance science writing projects, including articles describing grantees’ research, and more general pieces on topics related to glaucoma, macular degeneration and Alzheimer’s disease.
I’ve also written for major consumer publications, such as Today’s Parent, Mind Over Matter, Good Times, Chatelaine, Canadian Living, Reader’s Digest Canada, the Globe and Mail, WebMD, Best Health, and Walmart Live Better.
In particular, I’ve written extensively about women’s, children’s and older adults’ health. For instance, as a longtime regular contributor to Good Times, a Canadian retirement magazine, I write a health feature, a health news page, and a ‘Reader’s Question’ column for each issue.
However, I have also covered a wide array of other topics, including food, parenting, business (especially issues relevant to women), as well as vision care, dental health, skin care, fertility issues, pregnancy, and birth.
Subjects
Skills
Writing CreditsBrightFocus Foundation, Canadian Living, Chatelaine, Good Times, Globe & Mail, Mind Over Matter (Women’s Brain Health Initiative), National Post, Today’s Parent, WebMD, IG Wealth Management, Western Alumni Gazette, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (Canada) newsletter.
Awards, Honors, AppointmentsNational Magazine Awards (Canada)
Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada Journalism Awards for Excellence in Women’s Health Reporting
National Mature Media Awards (US)
Magazine health feature for people 55+. While women fear breast cancer, we’re five times more likely to die of heart disease. This article explains risk factors unique to women (including a history of certain pregnancy complications), how they can reduce the likelihood of developing heart disease, and how to recognize symptoms of a heart attack.
Sponsored content feature that appeared in a national (Canadian) newspaper. Not long ago, children born with the most severe form of this disease died before age two, having never been able to sit, speak, or even eat like other kids. This article explains how a new generation of treatments has changed the outlook for children with this genetic disease, through the story of one family.
Article for a non-profit. While rare individually, when looked at collectively, a group of inherited childhood diseases that cause dementia-like symptoms and ultimately death, is roughly as common as cystic fibrosis. This article explains what is known about the causes of some of these diseases, as well as the strides one researcher has made towards finding treatments for one of these heartbreaking conditions.
Sponsored content for a hospital system. This article explains that members of racialized communities have a harder time finding organ donors, and what one leading Canadian hospital is doing to change that.
Blog post for a Canadian charity. This piece explains what a wandering plan is, and how it can help improve the likelihood of a safe return when someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease goes missing.
Sponsored content for a hospital system. Eating is a pleasure that's denied many people with swallowing problems. These life-altering conditions are known medically as dysphagia, and they're very common, affecting an estimated 10 to 13 percent of people over 45. This story outlines the impact dysphagia had on one man's life, and how a speech-language pathologist/scientist is working to improve the assessment and treatment of swallowing disorders.
Health feature for a charitable non-profit. This non-bylined article explains what ageism is, and outlines how this ‘prejudice against our future self’ can harm the mental, physical, and cognitive health of older adults. (See volume 17, pages 36—40.)
Sponsored content that appeared in a national (Canadian) newspaper. People with diabetes are twice as likely as others to develop cardiovascular disease, yet many individuals are unaware they are at an increased risk. This piece profiles one such person, and outlines how one researcher is trying to prevent people with diabetes from developing heart disease in the first place.
Sponsored content for a charity that funds medical research. This piece explains the work of Dr. Shintaro Shirahama, who is studying an epigenetic reprogramming technique that could potentially restore eye cells that play a key role in macular degeneration to a youthful, healthy state. This de-aging method could help stop the disease at an early stage, preventing vision loss. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of severe vision loss among people 50 and older.
Magazine column for people 55+. Just how healthy are plant-based alternatives to cow's milk? The nutritional value of these products can vary significantly, depending on the type, and brand. This column explains how the various options stack up.
