Lawrence.com

During my 13 years at the Lawrence Journal-World, I’ve worn a number of hats. I started by working the nightshift as a copy editor and progressed to society editor and then assistant assignment director.

During the past few years, I returned to reporting, and it has proved rewarding.

I have met many fascinating people including:

• Susan Mozykowski, who opened her home and heart to me while battling brain cancer.

• Lawrence resident Heidi Karn Barker, who had a life-saving organ transplant and allowed me to capture her journey.

• Michael Douglas, who has a rare lung disease, but you wouldn’t know it by his upbeat attitude and gratitude for life.

Today, I am a health reporter. Now, I wouldn’t call myself a health nut, but I watch what I eat and enjoy exercising. I also support the movement to buy locally-produced foods.

That’s because I grew up on a small cattle-and-wheat farm near Abilene and was actively involved in 4-H. I still enjoy gardening and baking — two projects I took in 4-H. One of my favorite jobs was working at Rock Springs 4-H Center as an archery instructor for two summers.

I graduated from Chapman High School, and then earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism at K-State, where my husband and I met. We still bleed purple despite living in a sea of crimson-and-blue Jayhawk fans.

We both love animals and have two cats named Allie and Sam. Allie was adopted from a shelter and Sam was adopted from my parent’s farm.

My first journalism job was at The Daily Union in Junction City, where I worked for nearly three years and that included during the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. I was the wire editor at the time and fielded questions from national media about that horrific day because of Timothy McVeigh’s connections to the town and Fort Riley.

I always tell people that being a journalist is never boring.

For example, I received Botox for a story about anti-aging procedures. A few months later, I designed the front page of the newspaper on the night when KU's basketball team won the national championship. I had a blast handing out papers in downtown Lawrence.

I have evolved into a multi-media reporter — something I never expected. I report for 6News in Lawrence and KTKA in Topeka.

You can follow me on Twitter, where I provide instant updates on health news and what’s going on in Lawrence.

I am a blogger for a new health Web site. My goal is to spark a community conversation about how we can live healthier, happier lives and then report on our progress.

If you have a story idea or suggestion for the health Web site, please contact me by e-mailing kbritt@ljworld.com or calling (785) 832-7190.