Health Matters Takes Home an Emmy

UCSD-TV’s signature interview series “Health Matters” received a 2008 Emmy Award in the Health/Science Program category for "Health Matters: MS Doesn't Have Me." On hand to accept the award at the June 14 ceremony were UCSD-TV producers Jennifer Ford and Peter Kreklow, himself diagnosed with MS, and the show’s host, Dr. David Granet.

The award-winning program introduces viewers to individuals with multiple sclerosis, a disease affecting approximately 400,000 Americans, with about 200 new cases being diagnosed each week. These inspiring guests share their stories of diagnosis, treatment, and living with the disease. Dr. Granet is also joined by recognized expert Jody Corey-Bloom, MD, UCSD Department of Neurosciences, for an in-depth look at this unpredictable neurological disease.

The program was especially personal for producer Peter Kreklow, who was diagnosed with MS almost ten years ago. “I wanted to create a program that went beyond the clinical side of the disease,” stated Kreklow. “I have encountered some rather astonishing misconceptions by the general public about MS and its impact on the day-to-day lives of those who live with it. I felt it was important that this program be something anyone would be interested in watching and, hopefully, create a more open dialogue and understanding of the disease.”

“This is the first Emmy win for the series and I am tremendously proud of the program and the ‘Health Matters’ team,” commented “Health Matters” host Dr. David Granet. “Our goal has always been to make health issues accessible to all and this program succeeded by touching our viewer’s minds and hearts with these powerful, personal stories.”

UCSD-TV producer Jennifer Ford was equally excited by the Emmy win, stating, “This series is the flagship health program for UCSD-TV and the fact that this particular program has been recognized with an Emmy is a sign of more great things to come as we continue to find innovative ways to communicate valuable health information to our viewers.”

“Health Matters” and Dr. Granet have been fixtures on UCSD-TV since the series first premiered in 1995. The series provides current, practical information on how to improve one’s health and wellbeing. Over its thirteen-year run, the series has welcomed hundreds of guests to discuss health-related topics ranging from sleep disorders to summertime swim safety. All “Health Matters” programs are available for viewing on-line.

“Health Matters” is also no stranger to national and international awards, having received a gold Aurora earlier this year for “Health Matters: Fertility and IVF” and a bronze Telly in 2007 for “Health Matters: The Healthful Benefits of Pets.”

Host David B. Granet, M.D. is an award-winning physician at UCSD and has been hosting “Health Matters” since it first began production in 1995. Dr. Granet is the Anne Ratner Professor of both Ophthalmology and Pediatrics at UCSD and the adult ocular motility specialist for the Shiley Eye Center. Dr. Granet serves as the Director of the Abraham Ratner Children's Eye Center and the Director of the UCSD Divisions of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Eye Alignment Disorders.

The Emmy Awards are given out by The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and recognize outstanding achievements in television within the Pacific Southwest region, which includes San Diego County and the television markets of Bakersfield, Oxnard, Palm Springs, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Santa Maria, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada.

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