Trusted Health Communicator | Nonprofit Leader | Former CNN Correspondent
I’m a trusted health communicator, rare disease advocate and former CNN medical correspondent who makes complex medical information easy to understand—and impossible to ignore.
As president of the Wilson Disease Association, I bring media expertise and lived experience together to amplify voices too often left out of the conversation. Whether on stage or on camera, writing scripts or producing stories, I translate science into human-centered stories that inform, inspire and drive change. My mission is simple: to bridge the gap between medical expertise and lived experience—with clarity, compassion and credibility.
Today, I lead a global rare disease nonprofit focused on improving diagnosis, treatment and quality of life for people born with Wilson disease. I work with advocacy groups and industry partners to advance research, raise awareness and ensure patients are seen and heard. It’s a role that brings together everything I’ve learned across decades in health communications, journalism and storytelling.
Before stepping into nonprofit leadership, I founded R2 Strategies, a health communications and video production company. I’ve developed advocacy-focused content, served as a video host and spokesperson, and created educational campaigns for public health, academic institutions and industry partners.
Much of what I know about storytelling started during my 16 years at CNN, where I held producer roles and spent a decade as an on-air medical correspondent. I reported on cardiovascular and neurological diseases, women’s and children’s health, mental health and drug development—building a reputation for translating complex topics into clear, compelling stories that resonate.
My career began at the Cancer Information Service at the University of Wisconsin Clinical Cancer Center, where I answered calls from people seeking answers and hope. I also created educational campaigns that introduced me to the power of communication to change lives—an idea that still drives my work today.
Rhonda Rowland
My Medical Story and Wilson Disease
I live with Wilson disease, a rare genetic liver disorder I was diagnosed with at 21. Without treatment, it can be fatal—but with proper care, people can thrive. I know what it’s like to search for answers, face uncertainty, and learn to manage a chronic condition while living a full life.
A Personal Discovery
Years after my diagnosis, while continuing research on a book about this mysterious disorder, I discovered Dr. John Walshe—the physician who developed the drug that saved my life—was still alive at 98. With encouragement from a former CNN colleague, I traveled to England, filmed interviews, and produced a short documentary.
Sharing the Story
The Story of Wilson Disease was featured at rare disease film festivals in the U.S. and U.K., and continues to reach new audiences online. It’s a project that helped shed light on the condition—and gave voice to those living with it.
Finding My Voice in Advocacy
That experience marked a turning point. It was the beginning of my patient advocacy work—using storytelling to make invisible diseases visible and help others feel seen.