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Susan Murphy
Health Reporter
Susan Murphy is a multimedia health reporter for KPBS, providing in-depth coverage of a variety of issues that impact San Diego County and the Imperial Valley — from infectious diseases and mental health to health care policy and medical breakthroughs. Susan started working in the KPBS Newsroom in 2003. She graduated from San Diego State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism.
Recent Stories by Susan Murphy
Parkinson's Patients Preparing For 'Breakthrough' Clinical Trial To Reverse Symptoms
- Nov. 2
- By Susan Murphy
Ten Parkinson’s patients in San Diego are preparing to undergo a potential breakthrough clinical trial to reverse their debilitating symptoms.
Following Deadly Flu Season, San Diego Health Officials Urge Vaccination
- Sept. 28
- By Susan Murphy
“We need to take this disease very seriously,” said Dr. Robert Schooley, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at UC San Diego School of Medicine. “The more people who get vaccinated, the less likely it is for this influenza strain to break out and cause deaths.”
Soaring Fentanyl-Related Overdoses Prompt New San Diego Response Team
- Sept. 24
- By Susan Murphy
“People don’t know what they’re getting when they ingest these drugs (cocaine and heroin), and it leads to overdoses, and sometimes those overdoses result in death," said Colin Ruane, DEA assistant special agent in charge.
San Diego County Adding Psychiatric Beds To Serve Growing Mentally Ill Population
- Sept. 24
- By Susan Murphy
A new psychiatric unit is set to open in San Diego this week as part of the county’s plan to boost services for a growing number of people suffering from mental illness. The 67-bed long-term care unit will serve people who are too ill to live on their own.
County Officials Warn Of Fentanyl Deaths In Ocean Beach And Pacific Beach
- Sept. 14
- By City News Service, Susan Murphy
County law enforcement and health officials are warning residents of three deaths this past weekend caused by fentanyl-laced cocaine in Pacific Beach and Ocean Beach. Two others overdosed but survived.
Suicides In San Diego County Rise 5 Percent
- Sept. 13
- By City News Service, Susan Murphy
County officials said calls to the county's crisis hotline and visits to its suicide-prevention website have also been on the rise, reducing emergency room visits for self-inflicted wounds.
Former SDSU Basketball Star Launches Cancer Fund For Students In Crisis
- Sept. 12
- By Susan Murphy
Cameron McCullough, 19, is carrying a heavier load than most of his 33,000 fellow students at San Diego State University. His mom, his only family member, is fighting for her life.
UCSD Engineer Invents Microscopic Sponge To Combat Arthritis, Other Diseases
- Sept. 3
- By Susan Murphy
Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a microscopic sponge that can soak up proteins that trigger rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes chronic joint pain and inflammation.
San Diego Councilman Ward: Discharged Homeless Patients Need More Places To Recover
- Aug. 31
- By Susan Murphy
Recuperative care facilities offer sick or injured homeless people a safe and healing place to go after they are discharged from the hospital. But in San Diego County, the facilities are almost nonexistent.
San Diego Health Officials, Police Warn Of Dangers Of Driving High
- Aug. 22
- By Susan Murphy
“Today’s marijuana is between five and 30 times stronger than the marijuana of 20 years ago," said Kevin Sabet, founder of Smart Approaches to Marijuana.