ASCRS National Media Awards
ASCRS established the National Media Awards program in 1995 to acknowledge achievement in promoting a greater public understanding of colon and rectal disease, such as colon cancer, hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, and Crohn's Disease.
Each year, the Society presents awards honoring the best work in three major media categories: Print (newspaper or magazine, Broadcast (television or radio), and Internet (information created for a general audience and presented exclusively on the Internet).
Winners receive a $1,000 cash prize, personally engraved plaque, and an expense-paid trip to the ASCRS Annual Meeting.
2010 National Media Award Winners
Outstanding achievements in reporting on colorectal disease by Stage 29 Productions & CBS Television Distribution, TN-based The Tennessean, and On The Path Productions, LLC, San Francisco, CA, were selected as winners of the Society’s 2010 National Media Awards competition.
Broadcast:
The Doctors
Stage 29 Productions & CBS Television Distribution
Hollywood, CA
“Medical Procedures You Shouldn't Fear”
“Is It In Your Genes?”
In this lively syndicated show, a panel of "The Doctors" covers colorectal disease in two separate segments. "Medical Procedures You Shouldn't Fear" features a pediatrician with a strong family history of colon cancer undergoing a colonoscopy. His gastroenterologist identifies and removes several polyps, all while explaining to viewers - watching the colonoscopy - the importance of the procedure in preventing cancer. Later the patient/pediatrician joins the panel discussion, noting that the polyps were benign.
In another segment, the same gastroenterologist performs a virtual colonoscopy on Holly, a 37-year-old woman who lost 200 pounds after gastric bypass surgery and has a family history of colon cancer. Bringing the patient on the show created a compelling message - and helped viewers to understand the important role of virtual colonoscopy for this patient, who had a great deal of scar tissue from her surgery that would have made conventional colonoscopy more difficult.
Print:
Heidi Hall
The Tennessean
Nashville, TN
“Needless Death”
The Tennessean reporter Heidi Hall gives readers a deep understanding of why cancer death rates are disproportionately high in her state. She talks to experts, patients and state officials, and she integrates medical insight with cultural understanding.
While observing that smoking cessation would cut the lung cancer rates, Hall finds that people in her state are unduly resigned to higher rates of colorectal cancer as well -- cancer that could be reduced through screening colonoscopies and healthier lifestyles. She explains clearly the benefits of screening, using excellent graphics, lots of statistics and compelling personal narratives to reinforce her message.
To view the article, please click here.
Internet:
On The Path Productions, LLC
Christopher Springmann
San Francisco, CA
“Ulcerative Colitis”
Christopher Springmann turns his attention to ulcerative colitis in this segment of "It's All About Life, Love and Health". In a well-produced and well-written 90-second interview with a gastroenterologist specializing in the disease, Springmann manages to convey with compassion and clarity the reluctance of young patients to seek treatment for a serious and sometimes embarassing illness. The winning Internet entry is available at www.bodylanguage.org.