AUA celebrates excellence in journalism; UT's Overmyer wins trade pub award

Three journalists who have raised the bar on medical reporting stepped into the spotlight yesterday as the second annual AUAExcellence in Urology Health Reporting Awards were presented here.

Robert "Mac" Overmyer, Urology Times Contributing Editor, earned the top prize in the trade publications category forhis in-depth report, "PSA in older men: New data, lawsuits raise the stakes," which was published in the March 2007issue of Urology Times.

"This is really an honor and a privilege for me," Overmyer said as he accepted the crystal trophy from AUA Public MediaCommittee Chairman Ira Sharlip, MD. "I share this honor with my colleagues."

Overmyer, who has been contributor to Urology Times for 15 years, previously served as chief news director of HarcourtBrace Jovanovich's medical publications division and national public relations director for the Committee for HumaneLegislation. He also has worked with physicians in developing and writing articles and medical texts for lay audiences.

Veteran HealthDay reporter Steven Reinberg was recognized for excellence in consumer print reporting, and Wendy Rigby ofKENS-TV in San Antonio was awarded the prize in the consumer broadcast category. Daniel Saltzstein, MD, of Urology San Antonio, the physician group with which Rigby collaborated, accepted the award for her, praising her accuracy and professionalism.

The AUA Excellence in Journalism Awards were established to honor journalists in consumer and trade media whose workexemplifies responsible, informative reporting on health topics in urology.