ORLANDO, Nov. 5 — USA Today medical writer Steve Sternberg received the American Heart Association’s Howard L. Lewis Achievement Award for excellence in medical and science journalism.
Sternberg received the award at a media reception during the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2007 in the Orange County Convention Center.
“Since 1981, Steve Sternberg has played a major role on the national scene to inform the public about heart disease and other health issues,” said Gary Ellis, American Heart Association board chairman, who presented Sternberg with the award. “His dedication to making a difference through his writing, his exceptionally thorough understanding of his subject matter, and his ability to clearly relay complex concepts to a wide audience place him at the highest level of his profession.”
The award is named for the late Howard L. Lewis, longtime director of the association’s national science media office. It specifically honors outstanding reporting about heart disease and stroke. A panel of news professionals selects the winner.
Sternberg, medical correspondent for USA Today since 1997, has covered science and medical news for more than 25 years. He’s also been a freelance writer for major science publications and medical writer for The Atlanta Constitution and The Miami Herald.
A graduate of Ithaca College, he received a master’s degree in science writing from Johns Hopkins University in 2000.
Sternberg has won many other national awards, including the John S. Knight Fellowship for Professional Journalists at Stanford University and the National Headliner award.