Charles Ornstein

Charles Ornstein is the Managing Editor for Local at ProPublica, a prominent nonprofit newsroom known for its investigative journalism. He has been in this role since September 2020, overseeing various local initiatives that aim to enhance accountability journalism in collaboration with local news organizations across the United States, particularly in regions such as the Midwest, South, Southwest, and Northwest.23

Career Background

Ornstein's career spans over two decades in journalism, with significant experience in health care reporting. Before his current position, he served as Deputy Managing Editor and Senior Editor at ProPublica, where he contributed to numerous high-impact projects. His work has garnered multiple prestigious awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service, which he received in 2005 for a series on serious issues at Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center while working at the Los Angeles Times.13 He also held reporting positions at the Dallas Morning News and was involved in notable investigative projects that highlighted systemic failures in health care oversight.3

Education and Professional Affiliations

Ornstein graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, holding a degree in History and Psychology. He is also a past president of the Association of Health Care Journalists and teaches journalism as an adjunct professor at Columbia University.34

Contributions to Journalism

Throughout his career, Ornstein has focused on exposing critical issues within the healthcare system, including pharmaceutical industry practices and oversight failures in medical institutions. His initiatives at ProPublica are aimed at reviving investigative reporting within local newsrooms, reflecting his commitment to enhancing journalistic standards and accountability.123