WXXI’S NATIONAL HEALTHCARE SERIES, SECOND OPINION, WINS THREE COMMUNICATOR AWARDS

WXXI Public Broadcasting

280 State Street. PO Box 30021

Rochester, New York 14603-3021

585/325-7500

wxxi.org

Kristin Tutino, Publicist: 585/258-0253

For Immediate Release

Rochester, New York (May 13, 2013) – The national healthcare series Second Opinion, produced by WXXI, the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC), and West 175 Productions, has won three Communicator Awards. The Communicator Awards, presented by the International Academy of the Visual Arts, is the leading international awards program honoring creative excellence for communications professionals.

Second Opinion’s “ALS” episode garnered a Communicator Award of Excellence, while the series “Foodborne Illness” and “Breast Cancer in Young Women” each received a Communicator Award of Distinction. Hosted by Dr. Peter Salgo and filmed at WXXI’s Studios, Second Opinion presents actual medical cases to a panel of experts to debate the pros and cons of diagnostic testing, interpret test results, and prescribe the best course of action. Dr. Roger Oskvig, associate professor at URMC, serves as the series’ chief medical advisor.

In the award-winning “ALS” episode, experts present data on the disease known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Viewers are also introduced to Gary Temoyan, who talks candidly about his diagnosis, treatments, progression, and symptom management, which is maximizing his quality of life for as long as possible. 

In the “Foodborne Illness” episode the panelists explain how to protect yourself from foodborne illness, which is often referred to as food poisoning, and special guest Elizabeth Armstrong shares the story of her daughter’s experience with E.Coli as a toddler. 

In the “Breast Cancer in Young Women” episode experts discuss the emotional, physical, social, and medical issues surrounding breast cancer in young women, while special guest Geralyn Lucas, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in her 20s, explains how her unexpected diagnosis changed her whole perspective on life. 

Second Opinion airs Fridays at 10 p.m. and Saturdays at 3 p.m. on WXXI-TV, and on more than 250 PBS stations across the country. The series’ executive producers are Elissa Orlando and Elizabeth Brock. Fiona Willis is the series’producer. Second Opinion is made possible in part by support from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), which has sponsored the series since 2004. To learn more about the series visit www.SecondOpinon-TV.org.

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WXXI is the essential, life-long educational media resource for the Greater Rochester area. WXXI puts the community first with programming that stimulates and expands thought, inspires the spirit, opens cultural horizons and promotes understanding of diverse community issues. The formal affiliation between WXXI and the Little Theatre, established in December 2011, enables the two organizations to work more efficiently by pooling resources and strengths in a number of areas including back-office operation and improved fundraising capabilities.  Log on to wxxi.org for more information about our services and programs.