Bat-Erdene Namsrai, a post-doctoral associate at the University of Minnesota, performs an experiment on a rat for new research on cryogenic organ preservation.
Caroline Yang for STAT
The past year has brought huge changes in medicine and science — from innovations like the first curative treatment for sickle cell to legislative restrictions on abortion access. But at the center of all these stories are the people they impact: scientists, doctors, patients, and families. As we look back at 2023 in photographs, the faces of so many stand out: investors and researchers moving their industries forward, a man working to escape the cycle of addiction, a physician who has taken his career on the road after the abortions he provides were made illegal in his home state.
Below are our favorite visual moments of 2023, from STAT’s incredible contributing photographers.
Lila, a medical student at Washington University in St. Louis, alleges a postdoctoral mentor coerced her into an unwanted sexual relationship. Read the story: “How alleged sexual misconduct stole one student’s passion for academic science.” Chloe Ellingson for STATAnayeli Valdovinos with her 14-month-old daughter, Angela. Valdovinos said of her experience with postpartum depression, “You don’t know until you’re going through it and you tell someone that you’re not the only one.” Read the story: “They’re immigrants, farmworkers, and new moms. And they’re facing postpartum depression at higher rates.” Dania Maxwell for STAT Mission Hospital, part of the country’s biggest hospital chain, HCA Healthcare, is located in downtown Asheville, North Carolina. Read the story: “HCA doctors say its cost-cutting is endangering Appalachian patients — a warning for the whole U.S. health care system.” Mike Belleme for STATMarisa Russello receives an IV infusion of ketamine at Albany Ketamine Infusions. Russello brings her own pillow and eye mask and always has a playlist, which she describes as “happy” music. Read the story: “Ketamine can be transformative for people with suicidal thoughts — if they can access it.” Dana Ullman for STATReed Jobs, 32, has launched his own investment firm focused solely on oncology. The company, Yosemite, was named after the national park where his parents married. Read the story: “With big ambition — and a family name to match — Reed Jobs charts his own course in biotech.” Constanza Hevia for STATExpectant parents participate in a raffle at the Betances Health Center community baby shower in New York in February. There were nearly 130 attendees and a long waiting list. It is Betances’ third community baby shower, says organizer Liberkys Rivas, who notes that the events play a crucial role for patient outreach. Read the story: “More than celebrations, community baby showers can also be prenatal care — and could save lives.” Monique Jaques for STATShelby Campbell, 7, who has a rare blood disorder, at home with her parents Michelle and Adam in Mechanicsburg, Penn. Read the story: “Gene therapy offered this 7-year-old freedom. The price: a grueling year.” Amanda Berg for STATPhysician Aaron Campbell performs a surgical abortion at Allegheny Reproductive Health Center in Pittsburgh. Read the story: “When Dobbs forced one doctor to shutter his abortion clinic, he took his mission on the road.” Stephanie Strasburg for STATLouise Rodino-Klapac, chief scientific officer and R&D chief at Sarepta Therapeutics, worked with Duchenne doctor Jerry Mendell to develop the Duchenne gene therapy. Read the story: “A bellwether moment: Once a distant dream, gene therapy for Duchenne nears historic decision.” Maddie McGarvey for STATEmergency room physician Abdullah Pratt teaches high school students about the anatomy of a sheep heart in the MedCEEP program he founded at the University of Chicago. Read the story: “Carrying the torch of his slain brother, a Chicago ER doctor struggles against the violence around him.” Kayana Szymczak for STATAaron Owens, who has a painful genetic skin blistering condition called epidermolysis bullosa, is seen at Foothill Park in Milpitas, Calif. Read the story: “A devastating skin condition could soon get its first medication, as the frontiers of gene therapy expand.” Constanza Hevia for STATShaun Anderson (center) rides the subway with friends in May, one day after moving into an apartment found with the help of a social services organization, Prevention Point. Read the story: “Not yet free from heroin’s grip, an ‘honest, funny man’ finds his way off the streets.” Rachel Wisniewski for STAT
For more, check out STAT’s most memorable photos from 2022 and 2021.
