Emerson Alums Behind Six Peabody-Nominated Projects

The Only Doctor, a documentary directed, produced, and filmed by Matthew Hashiguchi, MFA ’11 was nominated for a Peabody Award in Public Service, one of six nominated television films, series, and specials in which Emerson alums had key roles.

The George Foster Peabody Awards recognize artistic achievement and public service in television, radio, digital/interactive, and gaming storytelling, and are presented by the Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia.

The Only Doctor reveals the shocking reality of rural health care in the United States, centering on Dr. Karen Kinsell, who, for two decades, has been the only doctor in her Southwest Georgia county. The film had its U.S. broadcast premiere on the PBS program Reel South, and is distributed internationally on Al Jazeera’s documentary series Witness. It held its world premiere at the 2023 Hot Docs International Documentary Film Festival in Toronto.

“I never expected to get nominated for an award, let alone win one,” said Hashiguchi, an associate professor at Georgia Southern University. “But being nominated for a Peabody is so far the greatest achievement of my career, and I’m just happy to have a seat at the table with all the other nominees.”

Joining The Only Doctor in the Public Service category is the Frontline episode “Breakdown in Maine,” for which Tessa Maguire ’18 was digital producer. “Breakdown in Maine” examines the state’s deadliest mass shooting and the missed opportunities to prevent it.

Marissa Torres Ericson ’12 was executive producer of The Last of the Sea Women, nominated in the Documentary category alongside Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa, produced by Dalia Burde ’00 and co-produced by Terry Leonard ’99.

The Last of the Sea Women follows a community of women in South Korea who dive to the ocean floor without oxygen tanks to harvest seafood. Mountain Queen follows the first woman to climb Mount Everest 10 times, while raising two daughters and surviving an abusive marriage.

Joe Mande ’05 is a Co-Executive Producer and writer on Season 3 of Hacks, nominated in the Entertainment category. Andrea (Andy) Campagna ’04 executive produced Ramy Youssef: More Feelings, also in Entertainment.

This year’s Peabody Award winners will be announced in a ceremony on June 1 in Los Angeles.