Jenna Portnoy

Washington, D.C.

Reporter covering healthcare in Virginia, Maryland and D.C.

Education: University of Delaware, BA in English

Jenna Portnoy is the local health reporter for The Washington Post. She previously covered members of Congress from the greater Washington region and worked in the Richmond bureau, where she wrote about the governor and the legislature. Before joining The Post, she worked for the Newark Star-Ledger in her home state, covering then-governor Chris Christie, as well as the Allentown Morning Call, Doylestown Intelligencer, Philadelphia City Paper and Easton Express-Times. She has been a newspaper reporter since 2001.
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Latest from Jenna Portnoy

A young doctor’s final words offer a mental health warning for others

Will West, a 33-year-old who was training at George Washington University hospital in D.C., wrote in a suicide note that other residents are “at real risk”.

October 5, 2024
Will West, seen here in 2021, was in his third year of residency at George Washington University when he died by suicide.

D.C. opioid overdose deaths declining in ‘promising’ trend, data shows

There have been about a quarter fewer opioid-related overdose deaths in D.C. in the first half of this year, and new data suggests the crisis may be slowing.

September 29, 2024
EMS Capt. Charles Steptoe gathers kits of Narcan, a medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, as part of the items he carries on his vehicle when heading out for calls in Washington on Jan. 17.

Ocean City reopens for swimming, surfing after medical waste found in water

Maryland officials closed the island’s beaches last Sunday when about 50 used needles, feminine hygiene products and other debris rolled in with the tide.

September 20, 2024
The oceanside at sunset on June 23, 2021, in Ocean City, Md.

Tensions rising again at D.C. community health center as more staff leave

Unity Health Care faces provider shortages as union talks continue, raising questions about the network’s ability to keep treating vulnerable patients.

September 6, 2024
Family medicine physician Emily Zucker, seen at Unity Health’s East of the River Health Center in March 2023, said she is booked out for new patient visits through the end of the year.

D.C. cancels $42 million in residents’ medical debt

D.C. cancels $42 million in medical debt through nonprofit partnership, benefiting residents.

August 30, 2024
D.C. officials announced that the city has partnered with a nonprofit to cancel $42 million in medical debt for some residents.

Mold, bugs found at Va. Boar’s Head facility tied to listeria outbreak

The Boar’s Head plant in southern Virginia at the epicenter of a deadly nationwide listeria outbreak was found with mold and insects, according to USDA reports.

August 29, 2024
Shelves sit empty where Boar's Head meats are usually displayed at a Safeway store in San Anselmo, Calif., on July 31.

    Fauci contracted West Nile. How risky are mosquitoes in the D.C. region?

    Anthony Fauci was hospitalized with West Nile virus, highlighting concerns about mosquito-borne diseases.

    August 27, 2024
    Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District biologist Nadja Reissen examines a mosquito in August 2019.

    Legionella found at FTC; employees can work at home as precaution

    Legionella bacteria was found at Federal Trade Commission headquarters in Washington, prompting officials to allow employees to work from home.

    August 14, 2024
    The Federal Trade Commission will permit hundreds of employees to work from home after the bacterium that causes Legionnaires’ disease was identified at its D.C. headquarters. The building remains open. (Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post)

    D.C.’s largest hospital diverted EMS traffic after facilities issue

    The Northwest Washington hospital detected a water leak related to a sprinkler head on the second floor and a small leak in the air conditioning system.

    July 25, 2024
    The main entrance to MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Northwest Washington, seen in 2017.

    Caught by surprise: How covid summer is affecting the D.C. region

    An increase in covid cases in the D.C. region has upended summer plans yet again, catching residents by surprise and sending them scrambling for at-home tests.

    July 18, 2024
    A sticker advocates masks and keeping a safe distance near Logan Circle in late May.