Meet Sydney Wyatt, the Statesman Journal's new health care inequities reporter
The Statesman Journal has hired a reporter to cover health care inequities: preventable differences in health outcomes caused by systemic, avoidable, and unjust social and economic policies and systems.
Sydney Wyatt's coverage in the Mid-Willamette Valley will be solution-oriented, including reporting on available resources that can help people navigate health care. She joined the newsroom this week after driving to Salem - with her two cats - from Boston, where she was attending graduate school at Boston University.
Wyatt initially pursued a medical career, getting a bachelor's degree in neuroscience and a minor in public health, but said she learned what she really loved was interacting with people and telling their stories.
She volunteered with Latinx adults and youth, the elderly, and individuals with physical disabilities in Knoxville where she was attending the University of Tennessee and became "more and more passionate about health inequities."
"This is what led me to pursue a career in health journalism and ultimately, to this position that is so perfectly aligned with my interests and passions," Wyatt said.
The Statesman’s coverage of health care inequities is a new beat, funded in part by the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, which seeks to strengthen the cultural, social, educational, and spiritual base of the Pacific Northwest.
"Journalist’s capacity to help raise awareness and broaden understanding of the diverse issues and happenings within a region is critical for a community to thrive," said Colby Reade, director of communications for the Murdock Trust. "Our benefactor, Jack Murdock, believed that individuals and families were best served when they were well informed and able to engage on the matters that directly impact their daily lives. Journalistic excellence delivered by a robust, independent press is central to serving that need.
"We are grateful to partner with and support outstanding organizations like the Statesman Journal as they shine light on the topics that are of most importance to the people of Salem and the broader Pacific Northwest," Reade said.
If you have coverage or story ideas for Wyatt to pursue, you may reach her at SWyatt@statesmanjournal.com
Shannon Sollitt joins the Statesman Journal staff
We announced last month that we had hired reporter Shannon Sollitt, in partnership with Report for America.
Sollitt, who coincidentally also made the trek from Boston where she graduated in January with a master's in science journalism from Boston University, started working Wednesday.
She will focus on solutions-related coverage on agricultural workers in the Mid-Valley who plant, maintain and harvest crops. Sollitt also will report on issues and government decisions that impact their daily lives.
Reporter covers agricultural workersStatesman Journal hires reporter in partnership with Report for America
If you have story ideas for Sollitt to pursue, you may reach her at SSollitt@StatesmanJournal.com
And if you are able to help the Statesman Journal fundraise for half of Sollitt's salary, you can make a tax-deductible donation via Report For America's website or send a check to:
The GroundTruth Project/Report for America
10 Guest Street
Boston, MA 02135
Please note the Statesman Journal in the memo field or an attached letter.
Cherrill Crosby is the executive editor of the Statesman Journal. You may reach her at crosbyc@statesmanjournal.com
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Statesman Journal hires health care inequities reporter Murdock Trust
