AAMC gives accolades to school magazine, blog

A Stanford Medicine magazine story and the School of Medicine's blog, Scope, have earned recognition in a competition sponsored by the Association of American Medical Colleges.

Both the magazine and the blog are produced by the school's Office of Communication & Public Affairs.

The magazine story, "Against the Odds," describes the efforts of a relatively new Stanford group to find more affordable ways to deliver better medical care to the sickest people. It earned the Award of Excellence in the category of general staff writing.

Kris Newby, communications manager for the Stanford Center for Clinical and Translational Research and Education, wrote the story. It follows people who are part of the Stanford Clinical Excellence Research Center. In particular, it focuses on Manali Patel, MD, an instructor in oncology who has both professional and personal reasons for wanting to bring compassion and affordability back into cancer care. Prior to joining the center as a fellow, Patel found out that her mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Appearing in the fall 2012 issue of the magazine, the story details what Patel learned, both as the daughter of a cancer patient and as a doctor trying to change the approach to cancer care.

The judges said Newby's story "has it all: a likable protagonist, a patient hoping for a good outcome, tension between old and new ways of doing things, and a clear discussion of pressing issues. It's both a good read and an important story."

Scope received an honorable mention in the social media category. The blog features commentary and reporting on the latest developments in medical research, health-care policy, clinical practice, preventive medicine and healthy living. Michelle Brandt, associate director of digital communications and media relations, edits the blog, overseeing contributions from members of the office and other medical center and university contributors.

"A great effort with impressive traffic," the judges wrote. "A consistently excellent blog, with interesting and informative mix of content."

The awards were given by the AAMC's Group on Institutional Advancement, which includes communications, development and alumni relations staff at academic medical centers. The awards will be presented in March at the group's annual meeting in Salt Lake City.