CMA Announces Recipients of 2014 Media Awards for Health Reporting

OTTAWA, Sept. 30, 2014 /CNW/ - The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is proud today to announce the recipients of the 2014 Media Awards for Health Reporting, Canada's premier health journalism awards.

"Health reporting has tremendous value to Canadians as it provides a window into everyone's number one concern, their health. As always, the calibre of all of the entries this year was exceptional, with stories that elicit a range of emotions from frustrating, to tragic to heroic. The doctors of Canada are pleased that the CMA Media Awards for Health Reporting can recognize reporters for the exceptional work they do every day to explain complex and emotional topics that help advance health policy in this country," said Dr. Chris Simpson, president of the CMA. 

The CMA Media Awards honour outstanding Canadian journalism that enhances understanding of health, the health care system and the role of health professionals. Independent panels of individuals with backgrounds in journalism, medicine and health care evaluated the entries, selecting winners in 10 categories* from among over a 100 submissions.

Entries were evaluated on fairness and balance, timeliness, insight, impact, and writing/production quality.

"I commend the judges for making the tough choices and I am pleased to congratulate the winners for their excellent coverage of this challenging field," said Dr. Simpson.

The CMA Media Award winners will be honoured at a gala celebration on Tues., Oct. 21, 2014, at the Château Laurier in Ottawa. Tickets may be purchased online at www.cma.ca/media-awards.

The 2014 Media Award for Health Reporting recipients are:

The Michelle Lang Award for Excellence in Print Reporting – In-depth feature article

Pamela Fayerman
Vancouver Sun – Coping with tragedy; the power of an apology

Excellence in Health Reporting – Print (Large market)

Yanick Villedieu

L'actualité – Gare à la mode sans gluten

Excellence in Health Reporting – Print (Mid-size market)

Steve Buist

Hamilton Spectator – Cancer: A code red project

Special Mention

Kevin Rollason

Winnipeg Free Press - Situation critical: Brian Sinclair's ER death inquest

Excellence in Health Reporting – Television news

Crystal Goomansingh, Kathlene Calahan
Global News Toronto - Cancer alcohol

Special Mention

Crystal Goomansingh, Kathlene Calahan

Global News Toronto - Sugar limits

Excellence in Health Reporting – Television in-depth reporting

Élisabeth Gervais, Lyne Fréchet, Carl Thériault, Alexia Malarmey

Une pilule une petite granule, Téléfiction productions inc. - Avoir un proche atteint de maladie mentale qui refuse de se faire soigner

Special Mention

Tom Harrington, Virginia Smart, Marlene McArdle
CBC - Marketplace: A shock to the system

Excellence in Health Reporting – Radio

Laurie Fagan

CBC Radio One – Ottawa - Palliative sedation

Excellence in Local Media Health Reporting - Print and Broadcast

Patrick Cain, Carmen Chai

globalnews.ca - Vaccination rates at Toronto schools

Excellence in Mental Health Journalism

Hélène Magny

RDI : Réseau de l'Information de Radio-Canada  - PINEL

Special Mention

Allya Davidson, Morris Karp, Bob Mckeown, Rob Gordon, Simon Parubchak
CBC - the fifth estate: The man who hears voices

The Norman Bethune Award for Excellence in International Health Reporting - Print, Broadcast

Ric Esther Bienstock, Felix Golubev,  Simcha Jacobovici
History Television Canada – Tales from the organ trade

*No winners were chosen in the Excellence in Multicultural Health Reporting – Print and broadcast category.

SOURCE: Canadian Medical Association

For further information: Lucie Boileau, Canadian Medical Association, Tel: [phone] ext. 1266, Cell: 613-447-0866, Email: [e-mail]