For Immediate Release                                                                                   
Contact: Kristin Tutino, WXXI, (585) 258-0253

WXXI’S SECOND OPINION WINS AN AWARD FROM THE NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION FOR ITS “MYSTERY DIAGNOSIS” EPISODE

(Rochester, New York) November 5, 2012 – WXXI’s national healthcare series, Second Opinion, was recognized by the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA) at NETA’s annual conference and awards ceremony in St. Louis, Missouri. Second Opinion’s “Mystery Diagnosis” episode was honored with a NETA award, an annual award that recognizes member-produced excellence in public broadcasting.

Second Opinion’s award-winning episode, “Mystery Diagnosis”, highlights a neurological condition that manifests symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. In the episode, Betty Dale shares how Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) interrupted her healthy, active retirement. Betty is joined by her husband, Alan, who helps to recount her symptoms, including gait problems, memory loss, and urinary incontinence. The NETA judge’s comments regarding the program’s Goals and Objectives were: “Extremely informative, interesting, and the message stays with you.” Said another judge, “Very effective in showing the viewer everything involved in diagnosing and treating patients. The best kind of show. Entertaining and informative.”
 
“WXXI is proud that Second Opinion is able to help so many individuals with their healthcare decisions,” said WXXI President Norm Silverstein. “Second Opinion not only encourages viewers to take charge of their own healthcare, but episodes such as “Mystery Diagnosis” offer viewers a better understanding of the complex process by which an illness is diagnosed.”

Second Opinion is the only regularly scheduled health series on public television. Each week, Dr. Peter Salgo engages a panel of medical professionals and patients in honest, in-depth discussions about life-changing medical decisions. Using intriguing, real-life medical cases, the specialists grapple with diagnosis and treatment options to give viewers the most up-to-date, accurate medical information. 

Second Opinion is produced for public television by WXXI, The University of Rochester Medical Center, and West 175 Productions. Major funding for Second Opinion is provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. The series airs Fridays at 10 p.m. and Saturdays at 3 p.m. on WXXI-TV/HD, and on more than 250 PBS stations across the country. More information about the series can be found at: www.secondopinion-tv.org.

NETA is a professional association organized in 1997 to serve public television licensees and affiliated educational organizations. The organization has members in 43 states, the District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands. NETA is headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina.

###

WXXI is the essential, life-long educational media resource for the Greater Rochester area. WXXI puts the community first with programming that stimulates and expands thought, inspires the spirit, opens cultural horizons and promotes understanding of diverse community issues. Log on to wxxi.org for more information about our services and programs.