Jennifer Fernandez

Freelance writer, editor, journalist. Obsessed with "Dragonriders of Pern," and all things dragon, hence the Dragonfire Communications. Opinions are my own.

[UNC Lineberger @UNC_Lineberger]

“After going through the process of treatment with him and realizing how few options there were for pancreatic cancer patients … I felt like I was in a position to potentially make a difference with the training that I had"

UNC Lineberger's Kirsten Bryant (@bryant_kl), PhD, turned personal loss into purpose, leading groundbreaking efforts to fight pancreatic cancer. https://t.co/a3wEP8520v @NCHealthNews @JenF_writer

[Jennifer Fernandez @JenF_writer]

@TravisFain @VonnegutMark @NCHealthNews Thanks for sharing my story!

[Jennifer Fernandez @JenF_writer]

I'd be remiss not to include the excellent work by @g_vitaglione, who churned out stories last week on #HeleneNC 's effect on seniors, the state's aging plan and #ncga's Helene recovery bill, and a detailed piece this week on the status of #Prek in NC. Bravo!

[Jennifer Fernandez @JenF_writer]

Some great reporting in the last week or so by my @NCHealthNews colleagues @rachelcrumpler_ (Helene's effect on pregnant women in WNC), @WilliamRAtwater (Durham as an urban heat island), and @michellecrouch/@CltLedger (more hospitals forgive medical debt).

[Jennifer Fernandez @JenF_writer]

Child advocates want NC to raise the age for tobacco sales to 21, saying it could help efforts to prevent youth from vaping. My latest story for @NCHealthNews
https://t.co/qYFbD758Mc

[Jennifer Fernandez @JenF_writer]

Find out where NC candidates stand on important health issues with this year's @NCHealthNews voter guide: https://t.co/k27FY8oogw

[Jennifer Fernandez @JenF_writer]

The VA health system is working to help veterans with medical needs after #Helene2024 left many in western North Carolina without power and water — and some without homes. The latest from @NCHealthNews reporter @g_vitaglione https://t.co/1Zk67wx9T4

[WUNC @wunc]

This is actually huge:

With internet shortages/outages after Helene, getting info has been harder b/c news websites with photos and video are slow to load. BPR launched a text only website that will load better even with spotty wifi

https://t.co/AEOIDJ6yJP

Absolutely brilliant

[Emily Vespa @emily_vespa]

Fake or misleading images claiming to show Helene are spreading on social media. Here’s how to spot them. w/ @caitlyn_yaede for @newsobserver https://t.co/Tx7ccqm5Uz

[Kyle Perrotti @kyle_perrotti]

Do the damn thing, come hell or high water. @SmokyMtnNews hasn’t missed a weekly print edition in its 25 years, and I’m happy to say that due to a ton of hard work and some luck, that streak will continue.

[Jennifer Fernandez @JenF_writer]

In western NC, hospital staff work through communication disruptions, water system failures and their own storm-induced uncertainty to keep caring for patients. The latest #helene2024 coverage from @NCHealthNews reporter @rachelcrumpler_
Read here >>>>> https://t.co/jplPC4kHFu

[Jennifer Fernandez @JenF_writer]

My @NCHealthNews colleague @g_vitaglione is looking to speak to veterans affected by Hurricane Helene.

[Grace Vitaglione @g_vitaglione]

For @NCHealthNews, if you or someone you know is a veteran who was affected by Hurricane Helene, please DM or email me at [email protected]. I would love to hear from you about your situation and what services you need/are able to access.

[Jennifer Fernandez @JenF_writer]

My @NCHealthNews colleague @JournoJaymie is looking to speak to anyone in WNC who has missed a dialysis treatment because of Hurricane Helene. Contact him at [email protected] if you or someone you know has been impacted.

[Jaymie Baxley @JournoJaymie]

Nearly 1,200 people receive dialysis treatment in the 13 western counties where more than half of all homes and businesses are still without power. If you or someone you know has missed treatment because of Helene, please DM or email me at [email protected].

[NC Health News @NCHealthNews]

State and federal officials race to deliver food, water, medicine and connectivity to mountain communities stricken by the floodwaters and high winds brought by Helene.

Here’s what you need to know:

https://t.co/YwmdD6f8eB

[Jennifer Fernandez @JenF_writer]

Special thank you to Marla Binker for sharing how she and her children dealt with grief after the death of her husband, Mark Binker, for my latest @NCHealthNews story. I worked with Mark for several years at the @NewsandRecord.
https://t.co/i5aj0qZLRB

[Jaymie Baxley @JournoJaymie]

People of color and other marginalized groups are disproportionately affected by certain health risks, yet remain underrepresented in clinical trials. A new coalition in North Carolina wants to change that.
Read more in my latest for @NCHealthNews
https://t.co/EVi39Pzq26

[Jennifer Fernandez @JenF_writer]

More excellent work from @NCHealthNews and @CltLedger reporter @michellecrouch on #medicaldebt in North Carolina:
https://t.co/1t6wikJrKB

[Jennifer Fernandez @JenF_writer]

Want to know how much hospitals are getting to join the state's medical debt relief program? @CltLedger and @NCHealthNews reporter @michellecrouch has the details after making a public records request for the information.
https://t.co/J5p4IFWEml

[Jennifer Fernandez @JenF_writer]

September is National #Suicide Awareness Month. Last year, @NCHealthNews put together a series of stories on #mentalhealth issues. My colleague @tayknopf created this excellent resource:
https://t.co/JGsJ3mk5S7

[Jennifer Fernandez @JenF_writer]

Some great context and history on North Carolina's #childcare situation from my @NCHealthNews colleague @g_vitaglione
https://t.co/mPa4VHiCSr