Mastering the Art of Opinion Writing for Health Policy at Penn LDI
A four-session virtual course to help researchers and health policy professionals craft compelling opinion pieces for the public.
About the Course
Mastering The Art of Opinion Writing for Health Policy at Penn LDI is a four-session virtual program designed to help health policy professionals, researchers, and trainees craft compelling, publication-ready opinion pieces. Whether you’re a seasoned writer looking to enhance your expertise, or a beginner exploring opinion writing, this specialized course from the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn LDI) provides you with a step-by-step guide to identifying timely ideas, writing clearly for broad audiences, structuring persuasive arguments, and navigating the publication process.
The course is led by three highly skilled instructors with deep expertise in opinion writing, and participants have access to video interviews with op-ed editors from the New York Times, STAT, and Washington Post. By the end of the course, you’ll have a polished op-ed draft ready for publication, helping you expand the impact of your work and shape key health care and health policy debates.
In 2026, the course will be held October 5, 12, 19 and 26, from 3:00–5:00 p.m. ET. Seats are limited, so register early!
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.
What You Will Learn
During this four-week program, you will learn 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.
“You gain coverage, you gain impact, and sometimes even partnerships.”
—Ezekiel Emanuel, LDI Senior Fellow, who has experienced all three benefits as a prolific writer of opinion pieces.
Course Instructors
Karl Stark
Karl Stark is Director of Content Strategy at 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 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 (AHCJ), 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.
Matthew Zencey
Matt Zencey has held major editing positions at many news organizations, serving most recently as Deputy Opinion Editor at PennLive.com/The Patriot-News in Harrisburg. Prior to that, he served as Assistant Editorial Page Editor and a Health and Science Editor at the Philadelphia Inquirer. As Editorial Page Editor at the Anchorage Daily News for over two decades, he authored editorials and worked with contributors. His book, Unlikely Liberal: Sarah Palin’s Curious Record as Alaska Governor, was published by Potomac Books in 2012. He is a five-time recipient of the Alaska Press Club Prize for “Best Editorial Writing” and was awarded a prestigious Nieman Fellowship in Journalism from Harvard University.
Torie Bosch
Torie Bosch has spent almost 20 years helping experts write for a general-interest audience. Today, she is the First Opinion editor at STAT. She was previously the editor ofFuture Tense, a collaboration between Slate magazine, Arizona State University, and New America that covered the intersection of technology, policy, and society. She was also a lecturer and editor in residence at ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications. She is the editor of “You Are Not Expected to Understand This: How 26 Lines of Code Changed the World” from Princeton University Press. She is a graduate of Penn State University and lives outside of Philadelphia.
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, 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?
The 2026 course fee is $1,199.
Is prior experience in writing required?
No prior experience with op-eds is required.
Who should enroll?
This course is designed for researchers and health policy professionals.
How will the course be delivered?
The course will be conducted online. Live virtual classes will be held on Zoom on October 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2026 from 3:00–5:00 p.m. ET. Participants will also have access to dedicated course materials, as well as personalized feedback from instructors.
What is the time commitment for this course?
At least two to three hours per 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. Participants are expected to 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?
You can register via Penn Online Learning.