Mastering the Art of Opinion Writing for Health Policy at Penn LDI
A four-session virtual course to help health policy experts write opinion pieces for the wider public
About the Course
Mastering The Art of Opinion Writing for Health Policy gives participants the skills to craft compelling opinion pieces on the health system. Whether you’re a seasoned writer looking to enhance your expertise or a beginner exploring opinion writing, this course from The Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics at the University of Pennsylvania will provide you with a step-by-step guide to finding subjects, constructing pieces and writing clearly.
The all-online classes are led by experienced instructors with a deep understanding of opinion writing, and the online site includes video interviews with op-ed editors at The New York Times, Washington Post, Stat News and MedPage Today. This course is an interactive workshop in which we discuss ideas and work on our writing, using the wisdom and interests of the group to propel the process. Our goal is to help you develop a piece that is substantially ready to be published by the end of the course. Join us on this engaging journey to bring better information to the public!
Registration for Fall 2025 is now open!
Why Write Opinion Pieces?
Opinion pieces can amplify your role as an expert, expanding your reach and influence. A diverse range of funders, collaborators and interest groups may want to engage with you after reading your work. You may be invited to share your insights on popular forums such as radio and television shows, podcasts, and even a congressional committee. Writing for the public can also enhance the profile of your academic work. Op-eds persuade both the public and elites, according to researchers from Yale and the Cato Institute in 2018.
What You Will Learn:
During this four-week course, we will discuss how to:
- Identify Compelling Topics: Learn how editors think and what constitutes newsworthy topics at news sites you care about.
- Write with Clarity and Precision: Jargon cuts you off from your intended audience. We will practice conveying complex ideas in an accessible way.
- Craft Engaging Openings: Learn how to captivate readers from the outset and set the tone for your piece.
- Structure Your Opinion Piece: Understand how opinion pieces are often organized and use those formats to increase your impact.
- Build a Solid Argument: Evidence should be presented artfully. One tactic we will discuss is to acknowledge counterarguments and refute them.
- Create Impactful Conclusions: Good opinion pieces generally give recommendations. How specifically would you change the health system?
- Publish and Promote Your Work: Gain insights into promoting your opinion pieces through various channels.
Why write for the public? “You gain coverage, you gain impact, and sometimes even partnerships,” noted LDI Senior Fellow Ezekiel Emanuel, who has experienced all three as a prolific writer of opinion pieces over many years.
Course Instructor
Karl Stark
Director of Content Strategy
Karl Stark is Director of Content Strategy for Penn LDI, where he focuses on encouraging LDI Fellows to write for the public. Before joining LDI, he worked for more than three decades at the Philadelphia Inquirer, where he served as Health Editor, Business News Editor and National/Foreign Editor, among other posts. His reporting on the bankrupt Allegheny health system led to indictments of the top three executives. He also served as President of the Association of Health Care Journalists, the nation’s leading group of health reporters and editors. He is a co-author of AHCJ’s “Covering the Quality of Health Care – A Resource Guide for Journalists” and leads a session on covering hospital finances at AHCJ’s annual meeting. He is a graduate of Yale University where he played varsity tennis. He also has distant memories of skating competitively with his sister Julie.
Matthew Zencey
Journalist
Matt has held major editing positions at many news organizations, serving most recently as Deputy Opinion Editor at PennLive.com/The Patriot-News in Harrisburg. He was assistant editorial page editor and a health and science editor at the Philadelphia Inquirer. He was also editorial page editor at the Anchorage Daily News where for over two decades, his duties included writing editorials and working with contibutors. His book, Unlikely Liberal: Sarah Palin’s Curious Record as Alaska Governor, was published by Potomac Books in 2012. He won the Alaska Press Club prize for Best Editorial Writing five times and was chosen to receive a Nieman Fellowship in Journalism at Harvard University.
This has been one of the most enriching professional development experiences of my career. Thank you for creating such a thoughtfully designed and expertly delivered course. You’ve helped transform what was initially just an interest in public writing into a concrete skill set and a genuine passion.
Professor of Health Behavior and Health Equity, University of Michigan, whose op-ed was published in MedPage Today
The feedback and input provided from the entire group was exceptional. It helped set my piece apart from what other op-eds have provided in the past on my particular topic…I never felt alone from conception to publication when writing my op-ed.
Assistant Professor of Nursing, NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing, whose op-ed was published in U.S. News & World Report
Thank you again for the insightful feedback and for making the course so enjoyable. I truly appreciated the opportunity to learn and grow throughout the process. I look forward to writing more op-eds in the future!
Interim Chief Quality Officer, UCLA Department of Medicine, whose op-ed was published in The Sac Bee, Fresno Bee, SLO Tribune, Modesto Bee, and Merced Sun-Star
I learned a lot and am very thankful to Karl [Stark] for sharing the secret sauce of op-ed writing with us.
Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, whose op-ed was published in Stat News
Learning from you was one of the most memorable, effective, and fun experiences I had in fellowship, and I really enjoyed this course.
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, whose op-ed was published in the Philadelphia Inquirer
The op-ed course helped me craft my narrative and get my op-ed published in the news outlet I was targeting. I will use the information I learned in this course throughout my career to disseminate knowledge and research findings to the broader public.
Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research, Penn Nursing, whose op-ed was published in the Philadelphia Inquirer
FAQ
How much does the course cost and who is eligible?
The course costs $1199, but a $200 discount applies for registrations made before June 15.
Is prior experience in writing required?
No. All health policy experts, from doctoral students to full professors, are encouraged to register.
How will the course be delivered?
The course will be conducted entirely online. Live classes will be held online on Oct. 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2025 from 3-5 pm ET. Participants will have access to live sessions on Zoom and course materials as well as personalized feedback from instructors.
What is the time commitment for this course?
At least two to three hours a week. There are no required texts for this course, but you should read the recommended op-eds within each module and sign up for at least two e-newsletters such as KFF Health News to get ideas. Please complete a pre-class survey about your experience with writing op-eds so we can tailor class time to your needs. Complete the assignments that lead to an op-ed draft.
Will I receive a certificate upon completion of the course?
Yes, upon successful completion of the course requirements, participants will receive a certificate of completion from the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics at the University of Pennsylvania.
How can I enroll in this course?
Registration is now open! Spaces are limited, so we encourage you to secure your spot as soon as possible. Register here.