NANCY VILLENA REMEMBERS that a “thousand things” flashed through her mind three years ago when the Petaluma Health Center called and said her stool test was abnormal.

After days of worry, including concern about her lack of health insurance, Villena met with a physician, who told her that her sample showed blood and she would need a colonoscopy. Villena was shocked — she had no symptoms. She had only gone to the health center because she finally had time to check on her health after arriving in Santa Rosa five years ago from Peru.

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A graduate student at the Craig Newmark School of Journalism in New York City and a retired physician, Josephine brings a unique perspective to health and science reporting. She's also eager to expand her skills in audio journalism and long-form storytelling.