I'm a health, business and real estate reporter; a health blogger; and a health Web chat producer who also dabbles in social media.

I joined the Daily Press in 2005. Before that, I was a reporter at the Erie Times-News in Erie, PA. I'm originally from small-town PA, somewhere between Erie and Pittsburgh.

I take great delight in simple things: coffee (strong, with a little cream and sugar), baking (don't get me started on Christmas cookies!), traveling, reading, going to the beach, board games, watching sports with my husband (he's a Steelers fan) and participating in Bible studies. I tolerate running and prefer step aerobics. I'm a member of Bethel Temple Church in Hampton, Va.

Immigration bill would make it easier for foreign health workers to stay in U.S. 5/23/2013


'Dual-eligibles' (Medicare/Medicaid) can join pilot program in Feb. 2014 5/22/2013
This week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that Virginia will partner with CMS to test a new model for providing Medicare-Medicaid enrollees with a more coordinated, person-centered care experience.

Tinnitus -- and how to protect your ears 5/21/2013
One in five Americans experience some level of tinnitus --it's the perception of a constant ringing in the ears and can be caused by exposure to loud, sudden or repeated noise. It affects musicians, construction workers and military veterans in disproportionate numbers.

BFF program for all 5th grade girls 5/21/2013
On Saturday, June 1, from 1 to 4 p.m., Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast will present a special program, BFF, for ALL girls in Grade 5 -- non-Girl Scouts included -- at Warwick High School in Newport News.

Free lunch and learn for community health workers 5/21/2013
From noon to 2:45 p.m. on May 23 there is a free lunch and learn for Community Health Workers to learn about Chronic Disease Self Management; it's at Warwick Forest, 1004 Old Denbigh Blvd., Newport News.