Staff Spotlight: Farah Yousry

Each month, WFYI introduces you to a member of the station's team. This month, it's Farah Yousry, whose management of our health reporting provides the Midwest with crucial health care news.

What does your work at WFYI usually entail?

I manage a team of local health reporters based at WFYI in Indiana, as well as a regional team based in different states across the Midwest. While I edit daily breaking news stories that go on our newscasts, most of the time I work with reporters to do deep dives on health issues that impact the Midwest.

We focus on highlighting the intersection between policy and the health of the people — we want to highlight the unintended consequences of certain policies especially on vulnerable populations. Our features and investigations strive to report on when the health care system does not work, as well as on innovative solutions that help alleviate health disparities.

Our team also includes a community engagement specialist whose main focus is to be out and about — attending meetings, listening to people and relaying some of what matters to the community to our journalists who can then report on these issues.

What do you enjoy most about working for WFYI?

I enjoy the room for creativity that WFYI provides me. Our Side Effects team is currently investing heavily in our digital presence and trying to reach wider audiences on social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube. Our main goal is to distill some of our deep dives in bite-sized pieces of content that are accessible and in a format that is native to these platforms.

When you're not at work, what can you often be found doing?

I like to spend time with my family, usually either at home cooking or on the tennis court with my children. I have also started taking tennis lessons with my husband too, so we can keep up with the kids! I also enjoy the outdoors and love running.

What program on WFYI are you interested in watching/listening to next?

I love listening to our WFYI daily podcast, WFYI News Now. I think it should be part of Indiana residents' daily news diet because it does a fantastic job informing you about the latest news in less than 10 minutes. I also love NPR's Morning Edition and All Things Considered. It feels like I am presented with an open buffet of new and delicious foods every day that leave me nourished and inspired — and there's something for everyone in the family.