UHMP welcomes new staffers
Adding new skills, enthusiasm to team
By Hermes Falcon
Urban Health Media Project
Two media veterans and three new faces have been added to the expanding UHMP team.
Top row: Aileen Delgado, Julianne Hill, Yesenia Barrios. Bottom row: Cynthia Robinson, Hermes Falcon
In July, Julianne Hill, whose work has appeared in outlets such as NPR, PBS, Chicago Public Radio, and ABA Journal, joined as managing editor of content and programs, and Cynthia Robinson, who has more than 30 years experience in editorial operations, news production and online communications, joined as manager of development and partnerships.
Julianne’s work in mental health reporting is expansive and has even inspired changes in the New Hampshire state budget. She launched a college-level course in reporting on mental health at Loyola University Chicago and has also taught at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Ohio University and University of Chicago.
“The important work at UHMP to help students report on the issues touching their own communities is inspiring and uplifting,” she said. “I’m thrilled to pass along my skills to the next generation as they shine a light on a host of vital issues, ranging from LGBTQ+ rights to opioid abuse to immigrants’ rights.”
Cynthia identifies key funding opportunities and leads the team’s grant proposals and submission process.
“I'm excited to be a part of this mission to help youth use their voices to tell stories about health and social issues affecting the communities they live in. We're making the world a better place community by community,” she said.
Hermes Falcon participated in a UHMP workshop in late 2020 then served as an assistant managing editor before joining as an intern this summer. In high school Hermes wrote for the student-run newspaper The Harbinger and was a part of several leadership workshops sponsored by Brandeis University, Novelly, and Poynter. He is now a freshman at Bradley University pursuing a B.A. in Journalism and Criminology.
“I’ve been a part of the UHMP team for almost a year now and it feels like it’s been much shorter. I really love being able to write about things that matter, and I’m grateful to be part of a team that supports me while I work to pursue a career that is dear to my heart,” he said.
In October, interns Yesenia Barrios and Aileen Delgado joined the team. Yesenia attended City University of New York’s Baruch College where she studied Journalism and Digital Communications. She contributed to the student-run newspaper “The Ticker” and to “Dollars & Sense,” a student-run magazine. Yesenia immigrated to the US from Mexico at the age of 9 and is a DACA recipient, which fuels her desire to become a voice for the Hispanic/Latinx community. She hopes to become an investigative reporter or a feature writer.
“I am fortunate to be part of an organization that aims to make a difference in communities that are often neglected, while learning how to be a better reporter from successful women,” said Yesenia.
Aileen is a freshman at University of Central Florida pursuing a B.A. in Human Communication with a focus on Interpersonal Communication. In high school, Aileen worked for her school’s yearbook and wrote for the student-run newspaper, The Harbinger. She has also worked with PBS NewsHour Extra and won the “Arts for Life!” Florida scholarship. As a first-generation Cuban-American, Aileen hopes to become an advocate for accessible healthcare for low-income Hispanic families, and aims to be a feature or editorial writer.
“Ever since I participated in UHMP’s 2021 Spring ‘Home Sick’ reporting workshop, I knew that I wanted to continue working alongside such talented and diverse writers,” said Aileen. “I’ve gained journalism experience that I wouldn’t have found anywhere else, including the strong interview skills I have today. Now, I am honing these skills as an intern and continue to grow in my reporting while working amongst an incredible supportive staff of journalists.”