LJWorld.com

During my 13 years at the Lawrence Journal-World, I’ve worn a number of hats. I started by working the nightshift as a copy editor and progressed to society editor and then assistant assignment director.

During the past few years, I returned to reporting, and it has proved rewarding.

I have met many fascinating people including:

• Susan Mozykowski, who opened her home and heart to me while battling brain cancer.

• Lawrence resident Heidi Karn Barker, who had a life-saving organ transplant and allowed me to capture her journey.

• Michael Douglas, who has a rare lung disease, but you wouldn’t know it by his upbeat attitude and gratitude for life.

Today, I am a health reporter. Now, I wouldn’t call myself a health nut, but I watch what I eat and enjoy exercising. I also support the movement to buy locally-produced foods.

That’s because I grew up on a small cattle-and-wheat farm near Abilene and was actively involved in 4-H. I still enjoy gardening and baking — two projects I took in 4-H. One of my favorite jobs was working at Rock Springs 4-H Center as an archery instructor for two summers.

I graduated from Chapman High School, and then earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism at K-State, where my husband and I met. We still bleed purple despite living in a sea of crimson-and-blue Jayhawk fans.

We both love animals and have two cats named Allie and Sam. Allie was adopted from a shelter and Sam was adopted from my parent’s farm.

My first journalism job was at The Daily Union in Junction City, where I worked for nearly three years and that included during the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. I was the wire editor at the time and fielded questions from national media about that horrific day because of Timothy McVeigh’s connections to the town and Fort Riley.

I always tell people that being a journalist is never boring.

For example, I received Botox for a story about anti-aging procedures. A few months later, I designed the front page of the newspaper on the night when KU's basketball team won the national championship. I had a blast handing out papers in downtown Lawrence.

I have evolved into a multi-media reporter — something I never expected. I report for 6News in Lawrence and KTKA in Topeka.

You can follow me on Twitter, where I provide instant updates on health news and what’s going on in Lawrence.

I am a blogger for a new health Web site. My goal is to spark a community conversation about how we can live healthier, happier lives and then report on our progress.

If you have a story idea or suggestion for the health Web site, please contact me by e-mailing kbritt@ljworld.com or calling (785) 832-7190.

Recent stories

No line at H1N1 immunization clinic

By Karrey Britt

09:01 a.m., November 21, 2009 Updated 10:09 a.m.

About 100 people lined up to get the H1N1 vaccine this morning outside the Community Health Facility.

Give thanks to Lawrence area farmers, many will be offering goodies for the holidays this weekend

By Karrey Britt

06:19 p.m., November 20, 2009 Updated 06:34 p.m.

Lawrence area farmers and crafters are offering goodies for the holidays this weekend.

Meals on Wheels gets $1,000 grant to help serve seniors during holidays

By Karrey Britt

November 20, 2009

The Senior Meals Program, a division of Douglas County Senior Services, has been awarded a $1,000 grant from Subaru of America Inc. and Meals On Wheels Association of America.

Need information during Saturday’s H1N1 clinic? Let us know

By Karrey Britt

November 20, 2009

Would you like me to provide updates from Saturday’s community H1N1 clinic through LJWorld? In the past, I’ve provided updates on how long line is at the clinic. Let me know through the comments below if it would be a worthwhile service to you. Also, what kind of information would you like to know?

Obesity activist crossing country to urge American Indians to embrace healthier diet

By Karrey Britt

November 20, 2009

Terrol Dew Johnson has stopped in Lawrence during a 3,000-mile journey to raise awareness of the obesity rate among American Indians. Johnson started in Maine in June 2008 and is on his way home to Tohono O’odham Nation in southern Arizona. The reservation has the highest rate of adult-onset diabetes in the world with over half of the population suffering from the disease. Johnson, 37, is one of them.

75-year-old Topeka area man dies from H1N1; LMH reports flu activity

By Karrey Britt

10:45 a.m., November 20, 2009 Updated 12:33 p.m.

A 75-year-old man from the Topeka area has died from infection with the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus.

Seasonal flu vaccine hard to find, but more arriving in Lawrence

By Karrey Britt

November 19, 2009

The seasonal flu vaccine has been difficult, if not impossible, to find.

Take Care Clinic at Walgreens receives 300 doses of seasonal flu vaccine

By Karrey Britt

11:52 a.m., November 19, 2009 Updated 10:18 a.m.

If you want a seasonal flu vaccine, the Take Care Clinic at Walgreens, 3421 W. Sixth in Lawrence, received about 400 doses today.

It’s been 23 hours and Lawrence mom Melanie Birge is still smoke free

By Karrey Britt

11:03 a.m., November 19, 2009 Updated 06:51 p.m.

Lawrence resident Melanie Birge, 42, said she had her last cigarette at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. This morning, she stopped by a convenience store on Sixth Street to pick up some gum and orange juice to help her get through the day and the clerk recognized her from my story about today’s Great American Smokeout.

LMH expects rise in charity care to affect its bottomline in 2010

By Karrey Britt

November 18, 2009

Lawrence Memorial Hospital leaders expect to end 2010 in the black with an operating profit of $7 million. But, that’s down 26 percent compared to the $9.5 million projected for this year, and 13 percent from 2008’s profit of $8.1 million.

Full story list