Erin McGroarty

@erinmcgroarty.bsky.social

Health and policy for @captimes.com | 2026 National Fellow @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social | 2025 IWMF Ukraine fellow | @uwethics.bsky.social board member | Bylines: Wisconsin Watch, Poynter, Chicago Reader. Signal: erinmcgroarty.608

With the support of a national fellowship from @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social, I am spending the next few months investigating Wisconsin’s Black infant mortality crisis for @captimes.com. If you have insights to share, please fill out this survey or share with others. captimes.com/wisconsin-bl...

Wisconsin Black babies are at risk. Help the Cap Times tell this story.

Cap Times reporter Erin McGroarty is investigating Wisconsin’s Black infant mortality crisis. A brief survey lets you add your voice.

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Soon after Corey Ruiz was killed by Madison police, candles and flowers covered the corner of Williamson and Baldwin. After his blood was scrubbed away, neighbors gathered there to demand answers and remember the man beyond the circumstances of his death. captimes.com/news/governm...

Madison faces familiar pain, questions a week after police shooting

An officer shot and killed Corey Ruiz July 22, prompting memorials, protests, closures, investigations and renewed scrutiny on police use of force.

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SSM Health's St. Mary's Hospital is the only major hospital in the Madison area that doesn't take patient acuity into consideration when setting nurse staffing levels. Nurses say they are burnt out. captimes.com/news/health/...

Madison St. Mary’s Hospital staffing spurs burnout, nurses say

SSM Health’s St. Mary’s is the only Madison hospital that doesn’t staff nurses based on patient illness levels. Nurses say it’s a problem.

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The @captimes.com photo director, Ruthie Hauge, and I spent hours yesterday at the memorial site for Corey Ruiz who was shot and killed by Madison police on Wednesday. Hundreds came to lay flowers, light candles and mourn, including Corey's family. captimes.com/news/communi...

Family of Corey Ruiz joins community vigil on Willy Street

A vigil was held Thursday night where Ruiz was fatally shot a day earlier by a Madison police officer. Relatives of Ruiz, including his daughter, attended.

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Respiratory-related concerns presented at UW Health ERs last week doubled as Madison was hit with hazardous air quality from northern wildfires. Air quality remains in the "unhealthy" range today in Madison. Learn more about how to stay safe: captimes.com/news/health/...

Madison air quality hits hazardous levels, and paper masks won't help

Dr. Mark Moss of UW Health says patients with respiratory and heart conditions are at high risk because of drifting wildfire smoke.

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Wisconsin health officials confirmed the first instance of West Nile virus activity in the state this year, found in mosquitoes in the Milwaukee area and a wild bird in Bayfield County. So far, no human cases have been reported. captimes.com/news/health/...

West Nile virus found in Wisconsin: What to know

An average of 19 cases of West Nile virus are found in Wisconsin residents each year. Here’s how the state tracks the virus and how residents can stay safe.

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The explosive popularity of GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound is transforming the way Americans treat obesity, with demand soaring beyond doctors’ offices and into online marketplaces, med spas and unregulated gray-market vendors. captimes.com/news/health/...

GLP-1 drug popularity is outpacing the science, Madison doctor says

Dr. David Harris at UW-Madison says weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound are safe, so long as patients get the medications from doctors.

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Epic declined Monday to grant an interview with Rana or answer questions about his impending departure. A company spokesperson later provided the names of employees who will be handling Rana's responsibilities after he leaves. captimes.com/news/health/...

Top Epic Systems leader Sumit Rana to step down, citing family matters

Rana, president of the Verona-based medical records giant, announced to staff this week he will leave the company in August.

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Madison, and much of Wisconsin, is slated to experience extreme heat this week. Last summer, I spoke to a doctor about the dangers heat domes can pose to pregnant people. Many of her recommendations apply to the wider population, too. captimes.com/news/health/...

Madison doctor warns extreme heat can affect pregnancies

A UW Health OB/GYN and other medical experts recommend four ways to protect yourself and your pregnancy during extreme heat.

captimes.com

Thank you @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social for an amazing orientation week in LA earlier this month! The center clearly put so much thought and care into planning our time at USC to help set this year's fellows up for success as we take on our projects over the next five months.

USC Center for Health Journalism@chjreportinghealth.bsky.social · last mo.

@chjreportinghealth.bsky.social recently hosted our annual National Fellowship in Los Angeles!

I'm thrilled to announce I have been named a 2026 National Fellow with the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism. Grateful for this opportunity to spend the next five months reporting on Wisconsin's Black infant mortality crisis for @captimes.com.

USC Center for Health Journalism@chjreportinghealth.bsky.social · 2mo ago

👏 The USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism is pleased to announce the selection of 18 talented journalists to participate in the 2026 National Fellowship! 🔗 Visit centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins... to read the press release.

Last night the Dane County Board unanimously passed a resolution urging UW Health to resume gender-affirming care for minors, which the hospital system halted in January under pressure from President Donald Trump’s health department and Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. captimes.com/news/health/...

Dane County urges UW Health to restore transgender youth care

UW Health says it won’t resume gender-affirming care for minors, despite pressure from elected officials across Wisconsin.

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