Professional Experience

  • WSPA, Spartanburg, SC — Video Editor, June 2006 - June 2007
  • WTWO/WAWV, Terre Haute, IN — Production Specialist, Sept. 2011 - July 2012
  • KTVL, Medford, OR — News Producer, August 2012 - August 2013
  • KMID, Midland, TX — News Producer, Feb. 2014 - Feb. 2015
  • WSLS, Roanoke, VA — News Producer, March 2015 - Sept. 2016
  • O&O FOX News, D.C. Bureau — Freelance Producer, 2017
  • KVLY, Fargo, ND — Multimedia Journalist, Dec. 2017 - Dec. 2019
  • WINK, Fort Myers, FL - Health and Medical Multimedia Journalist, Jan. 2020 - Present

News Philosophy

The more you know about your community, the stronger and healthier it can become! That’s why I believe in local news - energizing and empowering a community is valuable. It can lead to meaningful change and a deeper understanding of your neighbors (allowing you to help them overcome the challenges they face, and share in their successes).

Hobbies, Interests & Community Involvement

Let’s lace up those sneakers, throw on some sunscreen, and get outside! Whether it’s hitting the pavement for a jog, strapping on a helmet and biking a new trail, or strolling through southwest Florida’s great outdoors - that’s where I want to be. Another interest? Cats! Don't ask me about mine unless you're prepared for a lengthy slideshow.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications at The University of North Carolina - Asheville

Master’s degree in Elementary Education at the University of Maryland - College Park

Likes best about Southwest Florida

I am blown away by all of the unique creatures and beautiful plants!

Hometown

Gaithersburg, MD

 

Mental health professionals want an increase in funding for children’s services

Children are grasping to understand the new normal brought on by the pandemic. Golisano Children’s Hospital and providers across the region are reporting high increases in visits to their behavioral health facilities by youth. At the same time, the area is grappling with a shortage of mental health professionals to help kids in crisis. They […]

Immunity could last at least 1 year after second COVID-19 vaccine dose, researchers say

Researchers are trying to pin down how long the coronavirus vaccine will protect people. We looked at the research for the Moderna vaccine and what it means for getting people’s lives back to normal. Researchers say, even after the second dose, there’s no data that proves immunity will last into 2022. “From what we’ve seen […]

Operation Warp Speed leaders work to get more vaccines to states

Changes are coming to how Florida and the rest of the 50 states get the coronavirus vaccine. We looked into how this will affect everyone. Operation Warp Speed leaders want to send more vaccines to states that have larger populations of those who are 65 and older. Florida falls into that category. But the State […]

NCH working on plan to vaccinate the vulnerable

Nearly 30,000 people in the U.S. died from COVID-19 in the first 10 days of 2021. With the surge in cases, the focus now is on how to get people vaccinated, and one Southwest Florida health care system is working on a plan. “The COVID-19 positivity rate for the past seven days at NCH stands […]

US surgeon general answers public’s questions about COVID-19 vaccines

As more people get the COVID-19 vaccine, there are a number of questions being asked, like how can they sure they’re really safe, considering how quickly they were made? That’s just one of the many questions U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams answered Monday during an online session. Experts say we need around 80% to 90% […]

Doctors know more about COVID-19 treatment, but Florida recording highest case numbers

When doctors first began to respond to the coronavirus, they had a hard time identifying it, let alone treating people who had contracted COVID-19. “We saw so many hospitals that were absolutely packed and couldn’t even keep up with the number of COVID patients that were coming in,” said Liz Chandler, the pharmacy and clinical […]

Research suggests COVID-19 immunity could last for months or longer

If someone has tested positive for COVID-19, how long can immunity last? Researchers say they now have the answers thanks to blood tests. The findings, based on analyses of blood samples from 188 COVID-19 patients, suggests immunity can last for at least eight months after the onset of symptoms from the initial infection, according to […]

Answering your questions about securing your second COVID-19 vaccine dose

Many of you are concerned about delays in vaccine production or scheduling problems affecting your ability to get your second COVID-19 vaccine dose. But, one doctor is saying that if that happens, you shouldn’t worry. That expert told WINK News that adding a little extra time between your doses could be a good thing. Wayne […]

You don’t pay, but there may still be a bill to settle for COVID-19 vaccine

Since testing and now vaccines began for the coronavirus, many people might have wondered why insurance information is wanted for both when they’re supposed to be funded. The short answer is there is still a bill to settle even if you don’t have to pay. When it comes to getting tested for COVID-19, Carmen Jankowski […]