Modern Healthcare
740 N. Rush St.
Chicago, IL 60611
"This is a news-driven publication," says Editor Neil McLaughlin. His theory is that news is news and no pitches are needed. Sound discouraging? Don't be dismayed. When push comes to shove, this editor is just frustrated with faxes, phone calls and emails from the PR world that just don't fit his weekly publication. "It's the "Business Week of healthcare" he says. Readers are CEOs, CFOs and administrators of hospitals. Your first step is to study the reporters and their beats. (Circulation: 80,000)
SECTIONS: Financing
Looks at the fundraising practices of hospitals around the country. Also features case studies on the methods hospitals use to manage money.
EDITORS/LEAD TIME: Editor Neil McLaughlin Fax: 312/280-3183
Lead Time: one week at most
METHODS: The protocol here is a bit different from other publications we've covered. No one editor is in charge of a section, but you must know the editorial beats (listed below) before pitching a story.
COMMENTS: Don't send press releases about mergers or acquisitions to this section. McLaughlin is adamant that media relations professionals must be familiar with the magazine ("don't even think about calling us if you've never read the publication"). He claims five out of 100 ideas he gets are appropriate.
SECTIONS: Outcomes
This page is dedicated to monitoring the effectiveness of the care provided by U.S. hospitals. A good story is any story about a patient who recovered successfully because of an innovative program or technique.
EDITORS/LEAD TIME: Editor Neil McLaughlin Fax: 312/280-3183
Lead Time: one week at most
METHODS: Again, know the beats and know the magazine's focus before pitching. McLaughlin accepts ideas via phone, fax, mail and email ([email protected]). Thursdays and Fridays are best for all sections.
COMMENTS: Stories about new clinical developments or the introduction or approval of new drugs do not fit into this section or the publication, McLaughlin says. "Usually we have to stop them after the first sentence.
Instead, think about how business is affecting hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
Editorial Contacts at Modern Healthcare
Main Number: 312/280-3173 (Call all reporters at the main number)
Deanna Bellandi, Reporter,
American Hospital Association non-profits, healthcare costs and marketing
J. Duncan Moore, Jr., Reporter,
quality outcomes/management
Kristen Hallam, Reporter,
legal issues, specialty hospitals
John Morrissey, Reporter,
information systems, telecommunciations
Mary Chris Jaklevic, Reporter,
physicians and medical group practices
Ann Saphir, Reporter,
outpatient services, long term care, rehabilitation
Recent Stories October
Heavily Larded: Federal Spending Bill Fat with Healthcare Measure. By Eric Weissenstein.
Columbia Probe has Deep Roots. By Kristen Hallam and Deanna Bellandi. A story about the government subpoenas that first started rolling in at three of the nation's largest for-profit hospital companies as part of a secret Medicare fraud investigation.