"Still Practicing: Tracking Problem Doctors"

Recipient of the Best Investigative Report by a Television Station award in The Charles E. Green Awards (2022)

KXAN-TV

Judge’s Comments:

The KXAN series on the lack of transparency and accountability for Texas physicians who have a troubling past was exceptional. KXAN took on a challenging, timely and costly project that was a year in the making. The series was well-documented, sourced and researched. It was told through the eyes of victims--the families left devastated over Texas law that protects bad docs and not their patients.

The KXAN team used computer-assisted research to uncover facts not readily available. For example, the fact that 97% of medical malpractice suits are settled out of court, making it impossible for patients to learn the medical history of their physicians.

Visually, the photographers and video editors didn’t have much to work with, other than still photos and visuals of computers and documents. Nevertheless, the team worked its magic. The stories were visually appealing with the right amount of natural sound, graphic support and emotional soundbites.

KXAN was also transparent in telling the viewer why it didn’t report the names of the physicians or hospitals in question.

KXAN integrated its website into its coverage by posting additional information and interactive graphics on its website.

The KXAN series was journalism at its finest.

Frank Volpicella

Judge’s Bio:

Frank Volpicella is a veteran journalist and TV news director who recently semi-retired after a 43-year career in TV news. Volpicella served as news director at stations in Atlanta, Austin, Tulsa, Lexington and Huntsville, Alabama. He was news director at KVUE in Austin for 16 years. During his time at KVUE the station won a Peabody award and a national Edward R. Murrow award for Overall Excellence.

Volpicella also worked as a reporter, producer, executive producer, special projects producer and managing editor at stations in Jacksonville, Florida, Oklahoma City and Tampa Florida.

He Graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelors degree in Broadcast Journalism.

To see award-winning television reporting from KXAN-TV, visit the links below:

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