Media Portfolio — Yonathan Daniel, MD

A four-week medical elective with the ABC News Medical Unit — reporting, editing and producing health news for ABC News Digital, Good Morning America and ABC News Live under Executive Producer Eric M. Strauss and Coordinating Producer Sony Salzman. The figures below cover the rotation, which ran July 1–31, 2026; I have continued to contribute since.

8

Digital articles authored — six solo-bylined

14

Digital stories edited and reviewed for medical accuracy

3

Broadcast segments produced — all aired as produced

18

Broadcast scripts written and edited

3

Study summaries developed into published stories

12

Coverage areas, cardiology through disability

Featured work

A brown bullhead catfish (*Ameiurus nebulosus*). C. Galasso/De Agostini via Getty Images, FILE

Scientists discover 1st known likely transmissible cancer in wild catfish

ABC News Digital · July 25, 2026 · Solo byline

A Nature study identifying likely transmissible melanoma in wild brown bullhead catfish from Lake Memphremagog — the first transmissible cancer documented in fish and the first in a freshwater setting. Explained how whole-genome sequencing traced tumor DNA from multiple affected fish to a single cancer-cell lineage, set the finding beside the known transmissible cancers in dogs, Tasmanian devils and bivalve mollusks, and carried American Cancer Society context on why person-to-person transmission is essentially impossible — with no evidence of risk to the 175,000 people who draw drinking water from the lake.

The FDA logo outside the agency’s White Oak campus in Silver Spring, Maryland. Issam Ahmed/AFP via Getty Images

FDA advisers narrowly vote to add 6 peptides to a drug compounding list. What’s next?

ABC News Digital · July 24, 2026 · Solo byline

Same-day coverage of the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee narrowly recommending six peptides — BPC-157, KPV, TB-500, MOTS-c, Epitalon and Semax — for an approved compounding ingredient list, while rejecting a seventh over weak safety data. Detailed the split between newly appointed members, several of whom run peptide clinics, and FDA staff scientists who unanimously opposed every addition, and clarified that a non-binding recommendation opens a narrow prescription-only pathway rather than full approval or over-the-counter access.

Coffee and croissants — Anastasiia Krivenok/Getty Images

Up to 5 cups of coffee per day may potentially lower heart disease risk, doctors say

GMA / ABC News Digital · July 20, 2026 · Solo byline · Self-originated pitch

Explainer on a new American Heart Association scientific statement in Circulation: up to five cups of paper-filtered or instant coffee a day is generally safe for most adults and associated with lower risk of stroke, type 2 diabetes and heart failure — distinct from high-dose synthetic caffeine products. Covered cafestol and unfiltered brewing, CYP1A2 genetic variation in caffeine metabolism, and the 39% reduction in atrial fibrillation recurrence after cardioversion. Ran with a companion Medical Minute script and an aired GMA segment.

Emmanuel Kelly at the FIFA Club World Cup Final, East Rutherford, New Jersey. Arturo Holmes — Fifa/FIFA via Getty Images

From Iraqi battlefield to World Cup stage: Emmanuel Kelly prepares to make halftime history

ABC News Digital · July 19, 2026 · Solo byline

A 500-word reported feature assigned ahead of the FIFA World Cup halftime show. Interviewed pop artist Emmanuel Kelly — the first disabled artist to headline a FIFA halftime show — through his publicist, covering his origin in Iraq and adoption by humanitarian Moira Kelly, his prosthetics and citizenship journey, his co-founding of 0UTLYER to secure long-term employment for disabled and neurodivergent people, and his advocacy at the Westminster launch of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Disability Employment.

An emergency room entrance. Stock photo/Adobe

Nearly half of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed in ER, missing critical treatment window

GMA / ABC News Digital · July 8, 2026 · Solo byline · Self-originated pitch

A BMJ Oncology analysis of registry data for more than 28,000 women found nearly 40% of ovarian cancer cases are first diagnosed in an emergency room — a route with roughly three-times-lower odds of an early-stage, highly curable diagnosis, concentrated among frail, economically disadvantaged and younger patients. Set against Chris Evert’s recurrence and the absence of a routine screening test, with OB-GYN commentary on early symptoms and risk reduction.

Also authored

The remaining bylined stories of the eight written for ABC News Digital and Good Morning America.

The science behind social media’s ‘Early Bird Dinner’: How early dining may impact sleep and weight

GMA / ABC News Digital · July 28, 2026 · Solo byline

Explainer on a randomized trial from Granada, Spain, testing whether an eight-hour early eating window sustains weight loss — participants eating roughly 9:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. for 12 weeks kept off about 5 to 6 more pounds a year later. Flagged the trial’s small size, single-site design and use of bioelectrical impedance rather than DXA, with commentary from Dr. Nishtha Modi on muscle loss, insulin and diabetes precautions, and why what’s on the plate late at night often matters more than the clock.

William Shatner and daughter open up about each surviving Stage 4 cancer

GMA / ABC News Digital · July 22, 2026 · With Shafiq Najib

Profile built on an exclusive People interview with the 95-year-old actor and his daughter, Melanie Shatner Gretsch, on their separate Stage 4 diagnoses — his melanoma, her breast cancer. Covered immunotherapy advances that improved Stage 4 melanoma outcomes, distinguished Stage 4 melanoma from metastatic breast cancer per National Cancer Institute definitions, and noted both are now in remission. A related segment aired on ABC News.

What to know about testosterone after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directs screening for troops over 30

GMA / ABC News Digital · July 17, 2026 · With Mason Leib and Dr. Callyn Iwuala

News-context explainer produced with the DC bureau on mandatory annual testosterone screening for service members over 30 — clinical definition and symptoms of low testosterone, the two-blood-draw protocol between 7 and 10 a.m., replacement therapy indications and complications, and expert commentary from Helen L. Bernie, DO, MPH. Framed against FDA and Endocrine Society guidance that raising testosterone in men with age-appropriate levels is not an approved strength or longevity tool.

Broadcast segments produced

Three segments produced and scripted for GMA, GMA3 and ABC News Live. All three aired as produced.

GMA / GMA3 “Health Alert” — FDA peptide review

July 23–24, 2026 · Dr. Tara Narula, Chief Medical Correspondent

Helped produce and script a breaking-news health segment on the FDA’s review of seven popular peptides — shaping the anchor-and-correspondent flow, developing source material on what peptides are and how consumers can separate hype from science, and feeding live vote updates as they came in during the broadcast window.

ABC News Live 12P — peptide segment

July 24, 2026 · Dr. Alok Patel

Produced and scripted a segment on whether compounding pharmacies could manufacture seven specific peptides. Built explainer visuals with the graphics team, drafted the anchor voiceover and correspondent question set, and kept the script accurate to the panel’s vote being a nonbinding recommendation.

“Patel It Like It Is” — Seg 845A

July 24, 2026 · Dr. Alok Patel

Produced and scripted a multi-topic health block led by peptides, with a cyclosporiasis outbreak update and a viewer question on sunlight and vitamin D, structuring the anchor intro and question flow for a general audience.

Edited & reviewed for medical accuracy

Fourteen stories by other ABC News reporters, reviewed for clinical framing, indication language, staging and source integrity on behalf of the Medical Unit.

FDA-approved cholesterol pill: the Lipfendra story

ABC News Digital · Reviewed July 16, 2026

Edited a first-of-its-kind FDA-approval story on Merck’s Lipfendra, an oral PCSK9 inhibitor. Broadened the indication language to cover statin-intolerant patients and patients on statins not reaching LDL goals — language subsequently reflected in the on-air reader — clarified the mechanism of PCSK9 inhibition, and added a pricing comparison against injectable PCSK9 inhibitors, citing two late-stage trials with 56–59% LDL reductions versus placebo.

Her battle with cancer went viral. After her death, Natasha’s advocacy lives on

ABC News Digital · Reviewed July 15, 2026 · Medical Unit review

Verified clinical descriptions of synovial sarcoma, staging and treatment options, National Cancer Institute epidemiologic data, and Adolescent and Young Adult cancer statistics for a feature on the late TikTok influencer Natasha Allen, honored on Capitol Hill during Sarcoma Awareness Month.

Family calls for justice after evidence tampering charges filed in teen’s drowning

ABC News Digital, Specialized Units · Reviewed July 14, 2026

Reviewed language around the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s ruling of accidental drowning in the death of 18-year-old Daniel Erving, and the clinical and forensic terminology used in reporting on the case.

Further reviews — 11 more

Jul 8“Mom who claimed children died from vaccines charged in their murder”

Jul 15Americans with intellectual and developmental disabilities — explained why national adult prevalence figures are unreliable: no comprehensive registry, and individuals age out of school-based tracking at 21.

Jul 1710-year-old home after rare cancer treatment

Jul 21RFK Jr. says cyclosporiasis outbreak is “under control”

Jul 22William Shatner and daughter, Stage 4 cancer feature — corrected “cancer-free” to “in remission,” since microscopic disease can persist in Stage 4, and added context on Stage 4 melanoma outcomes.

Jul 23Judge questions Pentagon about new testosterone policy — advised that “masculinizing hormone therapy” is the more precise term.

Jul 23Texas appeals court reverses injunction against midwife — recommended adding scope-of-practice background on certified nurse-midwives.

Jul 23“Dad shares warning after son dies suddenly on summer vacation” — reconciled a discrepancy between a quoted account and the clinical record.

Jul 23“Jimothy” the raccoon explainer

Jul 24FDA peptides story — Standards and News Practices review.

Jul 28Jordanian athlete missing at Rice University — wrote the cerebral palsy background used in the piece.

Scripts written & edited

Eighteen scripts across ABC News Live, NewsOne, GMA and affiliate feeds, typically on same-day turnaround.

Medical Minute scripts written

Five original scripts — each a self-contained anchor intro plus script turning a clinical topic or new study into short-form broadcast copy, with the source cited.

Jul 2“Lowering Your Blood Pressure Without Pills” — lifestyle-first hypertension management.

Jul 15“Legionnaires’ Disease” — summer exposure risk from misters and hot tubs.

Jul 23“Traffic Fatalities Spike 14% the Day After a Major Mass Shooting” — built on the JAMA Psychiatry study.

Jul 23“Up to 5 Cups of Coffee a Day May Lower Heart Disease Risk” — broadcast version of the AHA statement story.

Jul 27“Creatine: Should You Be Taking It?” — supplement evidence and safety for general audiences.

Scripts edited — all aired as edited

Cyclosporiasis outbreak package — NewsOne

NewsOne · July 20, 2026 · Midday broadcast

Rewrote the case-count language so it no longer overstated how many people had symptoms, added the clinical hallmarks of Cyclospora, and added a viewer-safety line that the parasite clings to lettuce leaves and cannot be washed off, so recalled product must be discarded.

FDA approval of the cholesterol pill Lipfendra — ABC News Live

ABC News Live · July 16, 2026

Broadened the script so the approval was reflected for two indications — patients who cannot take statins and patients on statins not reaching cholesterol goals. Final on-air copy used the expanded language.

Coffee and heart disease risk — GMA and ABC News Digital

GMA / ABC News Digital · July 17–19, 2026

Wrote and iterated headline versions, verified expert quotes as they went on the record, corrected “surgery” to “electrical cardioversion” for the atrial fibrillation procedure, and added citation-backed cafestol and LDL mechanism copy.

Wildfire smoke Q&A and the Lipfendra voiceover — ABC News Live

ABC News Live · July 17, 2026 · 8:30 a.m. broadcast

Reviewed and approved a five-question Q&A block on smoke exposure, the Air Quality Index, at-risk populations and protective guidance for adults, babies and pets; and widened the new-pill VO’s indication description to include people who have not met their goals on other treatments.

Cyclosporiasis and the Taco Bell response — ABC News Live

ABC News Live · July 15, 2026 · Noon broadcast

Provided Medical Unit sign-off on the outbreak copy and the plain-language phrasing used on air.

Further script & segment reviews — 7 more

Jul 2Sickle cell script

Jul 8Kids Eat In Color guest pitch — vetted for medical red flags before booking.

Jul 10Ben Greenfield “Boundless” documentary interview — cleared for ABC News Live booking.

Jul 15ABC News Live 3:30p health hit

Jul 17GMA brand integration — medical review of a commercial integration.

Jul 27ABC News Live segment on statin eligibility — cautioned against framing a modeling projection as “87.5 million people need statins.”

Jul 28AI-companion segment — flagged that “AI addiction” is not a formal DSM diagnosis.

Capabilities

Coverage areas & beats

Cardiology

AHA statement on coffee and cardiovascular risk; Lipfendra PCSK9 inhibitor approval; energy-drink cardiac risks; cardioversion for AFib.

Endocrinology

Military testosterone screening; TRT indications and complications; GLP-1s and Alzheimer’s risk; retatrutide Phase 3 results.

Neurology & sports medicine

Soccer heading and CTE biomarkers; AAIC 2026 imaging data; clustered dementia risk; MS mortality disparities; THC/CBD for dementia agitation.

Oncology

AYA sarcoma coverage; ovarian cancer ER-diagnosis trends; the first documented transmissible cancer in wild catfish; dual Stage 4 survivorship.

Public health & infectious disease

Multi-state cyclosporiasis outbreak; Taylor Farms lettuce recall; Legionnaires’ disease; DRC Ebola surge; Gaza and West Bank health crisis.

Environmental health

Canadian wildfire smoke exposure; air quality index guidance.

Nutrition

High-protein breakfast trial; caffeine metabolism genetics; diet quality versus processing; meal timing and sleep; creatine.

Health policy & ethics

Direct-to-consumer drug advertising; FDA peptide compounding; open-notes disparities; midwife scope of practice.

Disability & representation

Emmanuel Kelly, first disabled artist to headline a FIFA halftime show; 0UTLYER advocacy.

Maternal & reproductive health

Single-embryo IVF; gestational hypertension trends; reported alcohol use in pregnancy; ovarian cancer risk reduction.

Mental health & substance use

SAMHSA survey trends; traffic fatalities after mass shootings; “AI addiction” framing in broadcast copy.

Pediatrics & child development

Infant eye contact and language learning; autistic teen social reward circuitry; adolescent nutrient intake.

Skills

Literature appraisal

Primary research summarized for newsroom use with explicit strengths and limitations — Circulation, BMJ Oncology, Nature, The Lancet Healthy Longevity, JAMA Neurology.

Embargo handling

Journal and conference windows, with drafts staged for release-time publication.

Medical-accuracy review

Clinical framing, indication language, staging and treatment accuracy, source integrity, forensic terminology.

Broadcast script editing

Same-day turnaround on packages, VOs, readers and anchor Q&A blocks.

Reporting & interviewing

Subjects sourced through publicists; on-record commentary secured from outside clinical experts.

Clinical translation

Guideline statements and trial data turned into plain-language explainers that keep the caveats about design and evidence strength.

Story development

Pitches and background memos for the Medical Unit, several assigned and published.

Original broadcast writing

Medical Minute scripts to newsroom format — anchor intro plus timed script.

Outlets & platforms

ABC News Digital — ABCNews.com

Good Morning America — GoodMorningAmerica.com and the on-air rundown

ABC News Live (ABCNL) — morning and midday hours

NewsOne — affiliate feed

Supervision

Executive Producer

Eric M. Strauss, ABC News Medical Unit

Coordinating Producer

Sony Salzman, ABC News Medical Unit

Chief Medical Correspondent

Tara Narula, MD

This work was produced with correspondents, digital editors, graphics and Standards colleagues across ABC News Digital, Good Morning America, ABC News Live and NewsOne. References available on request.

Yonathan Daniel, MD ydaniel.md@gmail.com Updated September 2026

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