Modern Healthcare
Robservations on the media beat:
Mary Ellen Podmolik
Mary Ellen Podmolik, former business editor of the Chicago Tribune, has been hired as editor of Modern Healthcare, the Chicago-based magazine and digital site published by Crain Communications. “I’m excited to join Modern Healthcare and help position it for the future by working with a team dedicated to empowering industry leaders by providing them with unbiased and trusted news, analysis and data,” she said in a statement. Podmolik, who accepted a buyout from the Tribune after 13 years in 2021, most recently was director of communications for the office of Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas. At Modern Healthcare she replaces Aurora Aguilar, who left after seven years to join WebMD as senior director of editorial, news, features and perspectives. Aguilar previously worked for Chicago Public Media WBEZ 91.5-FM and the Daily Herald. Modern Healthcare has seen an exodus of top talent — including the departure of more than 15 reporters and editors — since 2020. Insiders describe an organization sorely in need of new editorial leadership with the skills and savvy to straighten things out. Podmolik is just what the doctor ordered.
Alyssa Bergamini
Now that Chicago’s professional sports teams can allow fans to place bets during games, Alyssa Bergamini has joined the Chicago Bulls radio broadcast duo of Chuck Swirsky and Bill Wennington on Audacy sports/talk WSCR 670-AM. With reports branded as "Courtside Odds presented by BetMGM," Bergamini provides live wagering updates before, during and after each game. She's on site for home games and in studio for road games. Bergamini, a Chicago native and University of Iowa graduate, is known for her work on Comcast SportsNet Chicago and NBC Sports Chicago and as in-game host for the Chicago White Sox. "As someone who grew up listening to The Score while also admiring the rich history of the Chicago Bulls franchise, this is a dream come true," she said.
Samantha Chatman
Samantha Chatman, consumer investigative reporter for ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7, has just published her first children's book. Mia Gets Sick, But Doesn’t Quit! is available for pre-order now. (Here is the link.) "Between e-learning and quarantines, kids have been pretty sad about being stuck at home," Chatman said. "This is the perfect book to teach your little one about the power of shifting their perspective and having fun, even if they have to stay home for a little while." A portion of the proceeds will benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois. Chatman, who grew up in Hyde Park and graduated from Lincoln Park High School and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, joined ABC 7 in 2019.
WHCM 88.3FM
More honors this week for WHCM 88.3-FM, the student radio station at William Rainey Harper College in Palatine. Among 2022 Media Awards presented by Intercollegiate Broadcasting System, Harper Radio general manager Ashley Rosenthal won first place for best promotional event, and former general manager Erik Bonilla-Sanchez won the Len Mallioux Management Award for best radio station manager. Earlier Harper Radio won two first-place honors in the 2022 Festival of Media Arts Awards presented by the Broadcast Education Association.
Salena Claybourne
A GoFundMe has been established to help the two teenage daughters of Salena Claybourne, a security guard at WGN-Channel 9 who was fatally shot on her way home from work Monday afternoon. Claybourne, 35, had stopped for gas in South Shore when a black sedan pulled up next to her and someone inside opened fire, according to the Nexstar Media station's report. (Here is the link to donate.) “Salena was very friendly, thoughtful, hardworking and a member of the WGN family," the station said in a statement. "Such a tragic loss; she will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with her family at this difficult time.” Claybourne was employed by Allied Universal Security and posted at WGN.
WGN Radio
Tuesday’s comment of the day: Mike Halston: I am glad you called out the problematic centennial celebration of WGN Radio. The call letters have changed, ownership changed, frequency changed . . . perhaps the only thread that exists from 1922 is the original license paperwork? For all practical, reasonable purposes, the station anniversary date was June 1, 1924, as you report here. It strikes me odd the current owners who appear to have no recognition at all of the great legacy of the station and the special relationship with its audience now suddenly are feeling nostalgic. The legacy Nexstar acquired was not built on syndicated programming, reruns and clip shows. It was built on live and local 24/7 programming from a top-notch staff of broadcasters. Nexstar betrays that legacy and their current audience with many of the programming decisions since they took over and now want to rewrite history for marketing purposes. They have no shame.