Before healthcare, I ran newsrooms and content teams for national news, food and lifestyle brands. I launched sites, built teams from scratch and grew audiences from thousands to tens of millions. Here are a few highlights, newest first.
The Daily Meal
Editor-in-chief · Tribune Interactive · 2017 to 2019
I led food, travel and health content for 6 million monthly visitors. In 12 months we more than doubled traffic, pages per session and revenue. I also brought our content to sister sites like the New York Daily News and Chicago Tribune.
Director of content and audience engagement · New Jersey Advance Media · 2016 to 2017
I built, staffed and launched a mobile-first local news and lifestyle site. We launched it three different ways in nine months, learning and changing course each time. My team published more than 3,000 stories in less than a year. We also built a contributor network and one of the first local social influencer networks in the U.S. The site has since closed, but its Instagram lives on.
HELLO! US
Editorial and brand director · HELLO! Publishing · 2014 to 2016
I launched and ran the first U.S. venture for this global celebrity and lifestyle brand, and brought the U.S., Canada and London teams together. I created its first international digital editorial calendar and helped launch a Spanish-language print and digital product.
TODAY.com
Supervising producer and editorial manager · NBC News Digital · 2006 to 2014
I relaunched the TODAY show website and grew it from a $5 million to a $20 million business in under five years, building the team from 4 producers to 15. I also launched and ran lifestyle sections including Health, Royals, Beauty and Style, Pets and Good News. I owned all of the brand’s web-only original content and helped develop its mobile apps. The TODAY parenting blog I rebuilt won a 2012 Gracie Award.
I began as a reporter. At The Hartford Courant, I spent months covering the closing of a 106-year-old General Motors plant in Bristol, Conn. At The Stamford Advocate, I landed an exclusive interview with David Letterman. I did it barefoot. Ask me about it sometime.
Hi, I’m Susan. I’m director of content design at Teladoc Health. I write and lead content that helps people understand their health, get care and keep going when it’s hard.
My roots are in newsrooms like TODAY.com and CourtTV. So every word I write has to be true, clear and worth your time. Scroll for a few favorites, or jump to my contact info.
20 years leading editorial and content teams, including seven in healthcare
Gold Aster Award (2022) for a Teladoc Health mental health video series
EPPY Award for social media at TODAY.com
Min Editorial & Design Award (2014) at InStyle.com
Content design and UX writing
Clear words help people take the next step with their health. These projects put that to work inside an app.
BD Diabetes Care app
Content and engagement lead · BD
I was the app’s first full-time content lead. I wrote a goal-setting feature with 25 goals, smart insights based on blood sugar data, push alerts and how-to guides for people living with diabetes. A certified diabetes care and education specialist reviewed the work.
People living with diabetes faced a higher risk from COVID-19. In May 2020 I launched a resource hub in the app with calm, plain answers, even as the facts changed week to week.
Stories help people feel less alone. They also make it easier to ask for help.
Mental health video series
Editorial lead · Teladoc Health
A three-part series on anxiety, therapy and emotional well-being. I led the scripts, creative direction and production. It won a Gold Aster Award in 2022.
When Simone Biles put her mental health first at the Olympics, we saw a moment worth talking about. This piece helps readers see that asking for help is a strength.
I commissioned and edited this open letter from a stage 4 pancreatic cancer survivor to Alex Trebek. It went viral and gave a lot of people a reason to hope.
Carolee M. thought she had a sinus infection, but it turned out to be COVID-19. She credits a Teladoc doctor with saving her life. The Dallas mom of two hopes her story will inspire others to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
In 2019 I joined BD as the first full-time content lead for the BD Diabetes Care app, a free app that helps people living with diabetes track their numbers and build healthy habits. I set the content strategy and wrote the experience inside the app, from goal-setting to push alerts.
Role: Digital engagement and content manager, digital health
When: 2019 to 2021
Partners: medical affairs, regulatory, legal, global marketing and a certified diabetes care and education specialist
Reach: launched in five countries outside the U.S.
The challenge
The app had strong tools for logging blood sugar and activity. People needed more than a log, though. They needed to understand what their numbers meant, know what to do next and have a reason to come back tomorrow. And every word had to clear medical, regulatory and legal review.
What I led
Built the content strategy, editorial calendar and style guidelines
Wrote UX copy, conversation trees, assessments, push alerts, how-to guides and instructions for use
Launched seasonal campaigns, a COVID-19 resource center and member newsletters
Worked with the globalization team to launch the app in five countries
A quick tour of the app.
Behavioral goals
This feature helps people pick small, doable goals and stick with them. It starts with a short article and a check-in that asks how people are doing, both physically and emotionally, in five areas of daily life. From there, people choose from 25 goals of different difficulty levels, with conversation trees that offer support along the way.
I wrote the whole experience with input from our certified diabetes care and education specialist and our health economics and outcomes research team.
Tap any screen to see it full size.
Data-driven insights
When people log blood sugar and activity, by hand or with a paired device, the app spots patterns and serves an insight. Each insight opens a short conversation that leads to helpful articles in the app. I wrote every insight and conversation tree.
Seasonal campaigns and COVID-19 resources
I launched the app’s first seasonal content campaigns in December 2019, across the app, email and social. They grew into a weekly rhythm of timely content, plus a summer living guide and an exercise guide. I wrote the home screen promos, headlines and newsletters that brought people to each one.
COVID-19 resource center, launched May 2020
Exercise guide, launched August 2020
Reminders and push alerts
I wrote the home screen promos and six push alerts that nudge people to log their numbers without nagging them.
How-to guides
I worked with designers and developers on step-by-step guides, so people always knew exactly how to use the app.
In 2019, I launched the first email marketing campaign for the BD Diabetes Care app. Since then, I have written, produced, A/B tested, sent and analyzed data to increase engagement for every newsletter sent to registered app users who have opted in to marketing emails.
Here is a selection:
Subject line: Keep track of where you inject your insulin
Body copy:
New in the BD™ Diabetes Care App: Injection Site Tracking For people living with diabetes who also use insulin: Did you know that where you inject every day may affect how well your insulin works? This is why rotating injection sites or changing up where you give your injections is part of a healthy injection routine. Over time, giving your insulin in the same place can cause lumps or bumps to develop under the skin. These skin lumps (a medical condition called lipohypertophy) may prevent your insulin from working as it should.
Our new Injection Site Tracking feature can assist with that by helping you keep track of when and where you recently injected.
To get started, first make sure you have the latest version of the app.
How it works • Select 1 of 4 injection zones on the body map. Color coding will help you see where you recently injected.
• Choose an injection site to see more details, such as date/time of last injection and last dosage/insulin information.
• To track your injection, simply tap Track and Save.
You can also take a quick tour of this feature by tapping the “New feature: Injection tracking” banner at the top of the BD™ Diabetes Care App home screen.
Try it now We make it easy to get started.
1. First, tap the orange plus (+) sign at the bottom of your screen to start logging as you normally do. You’ll see a new Log and Track button next to each of your insulin medications.
2. Then, just tap the button and follow the simple on-screen instructions.
Don’t see your medication listed?
Customize what you want to log by tapping the pencil icon to add (and remove) things like medications and Activity (Steps).
Stay safe and be well. – The BD Diabetes Care app team
We want your feedback. Is the app helping you so far? Rate us in the app store and forward this email to someone you know who might also benefit.
Have questions? Feel free to reach out to us at BDBriight@BD.com
Subject line: COVID-19 Resource Center is now live
Body copy:
New in the BD Diabetes Care app: COVID-19 Resource Center COVID-19 has made a huge impact on everyday life, especially for people living with diabetes. It’s a confusing time, and we know it might be difficult to stay on track. We’ve launched a special COVID-19 Resource Center for just that reason. The resources are personalized for the needs of the person living with diabetes to help maintain control of their routine and stay healthy.
Need to navigate a telehealth visit with your doctor for the first time? Worried you’ll run out of medications? Wondering about healthy takeout options tonight? We’ve got the answers to your questions.
To get started, first make sure you have the latest version of the app.
Download the app
Where to find the COVID-19 Resource Center Simply open the app and tap the COVID-19 Resources: See Ways to Cope banner at the top of the home page to access all the information. You can also find it on the Learn screen.
Stay safe and be well. – The BD Diabetes Care app team
We want your feedback. Is the app helping you so far? Rate us in the app store and forward this email to someone you know who might also benefit.
Have questions? Feel free to reach out to us at BDBriight@BD.com.
Subject line: See what’s new in the BD Diabetes Care app
Body copy:
See what’s new in the BD Diabetes Care app Have you downloaded the latest version of the BD Diabetes Care app? We are always looking for ways to improve the app to support our users, like adding new features for you to try or enhancing existing ones to make them even better.
Here’s what’s new in our latest version:
Track your steps with Google Fit (for Android users only) Walking is a great form of exercise, even if it is just up and down your stairs or around your kitchen. You can keep track of your daily steps with our text and voice logging feature in the app so you’ll know how you are doing.
And Android users can now automatically sync their steps from Google Fit directly into the BD Diabetes Care app. Apple iPhone users can continue to auto-sync their data from Apple Health as well.
New Insights added We have added new Insights to help you understand when your blood sugar may be getting too low (or high) based on the data you enter and general clinical guidelines. These Insights are meant to help keep you on track, and you’ll be alerted to them on your My Data page and offered guided support.
Enhancements to Goals The BD Diabetes Care app’s Goals feature focuses on how you want to take control of diabetes. Each goal includes skills and knowledge that support the development of healthy habits. In this latest version of Goals, we have made minor content and screen updates to the feature.
COVID-19 support For COVID-19 precautions and tips specifically for people with diabetes, go to the BD Diabetes Care app on your smartphone and tap the Actions button at the top of the screen to access the articles.
Stay safe and stay well. — The BD Diabetes Care team
Download the latest version of the app here:
Subject line: Check out our most popular features: recipes and logging (7 day DRIP campaign)
Body copy:
Check out our most popular features:
Diabetes-friendly recipes
Blood sugar, insulin and activity logging—all in one place!
Make sure to take a look at our diabetes-friendly recipes Eating healthy can still be delicious when you have great recipes right in your hand. Whether you’re craving chicken, fish, pasta or even cupcakes (yes, cupcakes!), the BD Diabetes Care app has a recipe for you. Our recipes were developed with American Diabetes Association nutritional guidelines in mind, and reviewed by a registered dietician, so you can feel good about making and serving these healthy dishes—and the whole family will love them.
A few of the favorites you’ll find in the app:
Chicken Pot Pie
Mexican-Style Steak with Tomato and Mushrooms
Thai Tofu Lettuce Wraps
Chocolate-Caramel Cheesecake Stuffed Cupcakes
Here’s how to find recipes in the app.
Try out our the logging and tracking features The app acts as a simple, virtual logbook that you can access anytime. If you track your blood sugar and insulin doses, you can do it all on the same screen. Want to add your steps for the day? You can do that too! And if you want to share your data with a healthcare provider or loved one, it’s easy to create and share a personal report.
See these features in action here in our how-to videos: How to log blood glucose How to log insulin How to log activity How to create and share your personal data report
See these features and more on the app on your iPhone or Android smartphone.
We want your feedback! Is the app helping you so far? Rate us in the app store and forward this email to someone you know who might also benefit. Have questions? Feel free to reach out to us at BDBriight@BD.com.
Subject line: Coronavirus and you: Safety tips from BD Diabetes Care
Body copy:
A special message about coronavirus from the BD Diabetes Care team The spread of coronavirus (officially called COVID-19, short for coronavirus disease 2019) is affecting daily life all over the world. There is still much we do not know, but we do know this is a respiratory illness that is easily spread from person to person and that those with the greatest risk of having complications are the elderly and/or people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes. Here’s what people with diabetes need to know:
• Coronavirus symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, cough and/or shortness of breath. They usually appear 2 to 14 days after exposure. If you experience these symptoms, or believe you are sick from the flu or other illness, contact your doctor right away.
• Remember, being sick can affect your blood sugar levels. Your medications may need to be adjusted, but do not stop taking your insulin or medications without checking with your doctor first.
• The main method of stopping the spread is to quarantine infected people or people who may be infected in their homes for at least two weeks. Some countries and their respective local health authorities have closed schools and businesses and asked people to practice social distancing and work from home. These measures are designed to help slow the spread of the disease.
For six additional precautions as well as six additional tips specifically for people with diabetes, go to the BD Diabetes Care app on your smartphone and tap the Actions button at the top of the home screen.
If you need to download the app you can do it here.
We will continue to monitor the coronavirus situation and recognize the ongoing uncertainty and concern that it is causing our app users as well as our fellow employees and families and the world at large. Stay safe and stay well. —The BD Diabetes Care team
Subject line: Get active! Use the app to track your daily steps
Body copy:
Get moving! 5 easy steps to start walking for exercise Walking is a great form of exercise. Just taking a 10-minute walk three times a day (on at least 5 days in a week) has been shown to help control blood glucose levels, reduce risk of heart disease, contribute to weight loss, and improve well-being.
Keep track of your daily steps in the app so you’ll know how you are doing. If you are an iPhone user, you can pair Apple Health with the app to sync your steps automatically. Or, simply input your steps with our new text and voice logging feature, available in the latest version of the app.
Here’s how to set it up:
Tap the large plus sign (+) at the center of the bottom navigation bar
Tap Customize to add Activity (steps) to your logging tray
After tracking your steps with an activity tracker or pedometer, log your steps in the app.
Tip: if steps don’t show up for you as an option in the logging tray, check to make sure you’ve downloaded the latest version of the app (2.1).
Try it out now in the app!
Diabetes walking workout checklist Use these tips to start walking for exercise. As always, remember to talk to your doctor before starting any new physical activity.
• Pay attention to your walking posture. Experts suggest walking with your chin up and shoulders slightly back. Make sure your heel touches the ground first, then roll onto the ball of your foot. Keep your toes pointed straight ahead and swing your arms naturally. • Team up with a buddy or a group. You’re more likely to stay motivated if you have a partner. Join a local walking group or start your own with family or neighbors. • Set a reminder. Whether you use an alarm or jot it down in your planner or calendar, setting a consistent reminder to walk will help to keep you focused on sticking to a new routine. • Be safe. Let a friend or family member know your planned route and when you expect to be home. Remember to be aware of your surroundings and wear reflective gear if it’s dark outside. • Track your progress. Use the BD Diabetes Care app to record the date, time, and distance you walk to see how your distance improves over time. See your total steps and average number of steps at any time on your My Data home screen.
For more exercise and lifestyle tips, visit the app on your iPhone or Android smartphone or download it today. And happy walking!
As a lifelong runner, longtime yogi and someone who has lost that “last 10 pounds” more times than she likes to count, one of the great ways I have stayed on track with my own health and fitness has been assigning, editing and writing some great videos, stories and packages in this category.
Here are some fitness, healthy eating and lifestyle stories I particularly love! (Update: The OMJ.com print links are now dead, sniff, but the videos are still live).
Living with a health condition like diabetes can be stressful. And now, heading into summer with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, you may be feeling more anxious or even a little bit down. You may miss your usual mood-boosting summer activities like heading to a pool or going to a concert with friends. When it comes to the summertime blues, here’s what to look out for and some ways that may help you cope this summer. (Editing, BD Diabetes Care App)
When you have diabetes, it’s important to follow a meal plan that is low in refined carbs and high in fiber. Choose lean protein, and opt for healthy monounsaturated fats, such as canola and olive oils. A healthy diet can help your blood glucose stay in the normal range, but there are some bonus perks to eating diabetes-friendly fare. So grab your plate and pile on these extra benefits! (Editing, BD Diabetes Care App)
Cooking every night while staying home to protect yourself and others from coronavirus (officially called COVID-19) can get old. Ordering takeout can be something to look forward to! However, many takeout meals can be high in calories, sodium, fat and carbs, which can raise your blood sugar. The following tips will help you keep to a healthy diabetes eating plan and stay on the right track. (Editing, BD Diabetes Care app)
Stay cool this summer with a refreshing smoothie! All you need is a blender and a few nutritious ingredients. Here are 9 simple tips to get you started. (Editing, BD Diabetes Care App)
Whether you’re really into football or you just want to watch the halftime show, Super Bowl Sunday is a great opportunity to party. Yet the traditional party foods, such as pizza and deep-fried chicken wings, can wreak havoc on your blood sugar levels. In addition, many of these dishes are loaded with sodium and saturated fat, which is bad news for your heart. If you want to keep your blood sugar in check, your cardiovascular system in good shape, and have a good time, here are some tips on how you can tackle–and win–any Super Bowl party. (Editing, BD Diabetes Care App)
The idea of eating everything I wanted (within reason) for eight hours and then drinking clear liquids the rest of the time seemed like something that would fit into my lifestyle without a major change. Many adherents of the 16:8 diet (that’s 16 hours of fasting and eight hours of eating in a 24-hour period) recommend adding bone broth during the fasting period to help replenish lost vitamins, minerals and salts. So I decided to have a nightly bowl of the centuries-old elixir for a month, and here’s how it went. (Writing, The Daily Meal)
New Jersey’s own Nicole “Snooki” Polizziand Jessie James Deckerrecentlycompleted the 22 Pushup Challenge and we were extremely impressed with how effortlessly they were able to bust out all 22 pushups! So impressed, that we decided to take a trip to Florham Park Fitness, where both moms-of-two work with celebrity trainer Anthony Michael. (Editing, OMJ.com)
Albie Manzo, the Manzo’d with Children star who has successfully sculpted “generations of pasta” into a solid six pack has teamed up with Core Rhythm Fitness to offer healthy meals to northern and central New Jersey. The menu features 12 meal options for people who are looking to stay healthy on the go. For $11.99, you can order a florentine omelette, mahi mahi, buffalo chicken, or any of the other delicious options. (Editing, OMJ.com)
Summer is officially here, which means it’s time to freak out about the fact that you forgot to go to the gym. (Every single day for the last four months.) Oops. New Jersey is the home of GTL (gym, tanning, laundry, obviously), so it’s easy to find a fitness routine that works for you. Here’s how five Garden State celebrities got their hot summer bodies! (Editing, OMJ.com)
Kim Kardashian, who announced she was pregnant with baby number two at the beginning of June, openly struggled with her weight during her first pregnancy with daughter North West. To make sure she stays on track this time around, the 34-year-old has hired a nutritionist and is working out with celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak to keep her looking and feeling healthy. (Editing, Hello!)
After all that holiday weight gain, it is time to get back into gear for the new year. With a few simple tips from celebs like Jessica Simpson, Megan Fox and Jessica Alba, slimming down can be easy and attainable. (Editing, Hello!)
Sara Sampaio is one of the latest Victoria’s Secret models to earn her Angel wings and has been having a blast traveling the world. The 24-year-old has even created her own hashtag, #saratakeover, to follow her adventures on Instagram. But, being a part of a long line of famous Angels like Gisele Bündchen and Karlie Kloss takes some hard work. (Editing, Hola! US)
When it comes to working out, I go by the mantra, the more experimental, the better. I’ve tried a little bit of everything over the years, from Piloxing to heated barre burn to running in a mud race. So when I heard about a yoga class that was done from swinging hammocks, I was sold—especially when I learned that the insanely awesome aerial tricks that Pink pulled off at this year’s Grammy Awards were the result of training on this same same apparatus at the creator’s studio (fact). (Editing, InStyle.com)
We admire Jessica Alba for many things: her ability to juggle a career and a family, her penchant for putting stylish outfits together no matter where she’s headed (a fancy awards show or a simple grocery store run), and the envy-inducing way she just so happens to always look flawless on the beach (sigh). (Editing, InStyle.com)
Circuit training is a great way to get a quick, effective total-body workout that never gets boring. The circuits you’ll be doing involve alternating power toning moves with cardio moves, so that in just 30 minutes you can tone your muscles, increase your aerobic capacity and burn body fat. (Editing, TODAY.com)
Think veggie chips are more virtuous than potato chips? And that turkey burgers have less fat than those made from ground beef? Think again. Many foods that seem healthy are actually fat traps in disguise. (Editing, TODAY.com)
