OU Journalism director authors inspirational, award-winning story

When Journalism director Garry Gilbert researched and wrote an article about his Oakland University colleague and friend Luke Fleer’s long recovery following a near-fatal car accident, he knew it had the potential to reach multitudes.

“As I learned more about Luke’s story, I knew it was one that had to be told,” said Gilbert. “It was just too inspiring, and I knew it would touch a lot of people.”

The story chronicles the ups and downs of Fleer’s recovery, highlighting the post-traumatic growth research of OU psychology professor Kanako Taku and the surgical wizardry of Patrick Wiater, M.D., the Beaumont orthopedic surgeon who repaired Fleer’s mangled hip and leg following the accident. In all, Gilbert interviewed 12 sources for his story.

After gracing the cover of Hour Detroit Magazine’s 2014 Health Guide, the story drew wide acclaim. It won a first-place award for explanatory reporting in the annual contest sponsored by the Detroit chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. It was also selected for a national Media Orthopaedic Reporting Excellence (MORE) award from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in the magazine category.

Gilbert was one of two-dozen multimedia journalists from across the country to be honored at the MORE Awards in Wash. D.C. for stories that further the public understanding of musculoskeletal health issues. His story appeared alongside work featured in national news outlets, including U.S. News and World Report, ESPN, USA Today, ABCNews.com and the Washington Post.

This wasn’t the only highlight of the night, however. Fleer was also in attendance and delivered a keynote address that drew a standing ovation from the audience – a fitting conclusion to an event dedicated to inspiring stories and storytellers.

Read Gilbert’s award-winning article here.