Solutions is a project of the Buechner Institute for Governance at the School of Public Affairs at the University of Colorado Denver. Designed to be a source for objective information about the critical health policy issues facing Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West, Solutions features in-depth reporting and analysis, expert commentary, links to supporting research and opportunities for interested readers to engage in discussions.
The website is funded through foundation grants and staffed by professional journalists.
Diane Carman
Solutions Editor Diane Carman has been a reporter and editor in Colorado, Ohio, Oregon, and Wisconsin. She was an integral part of the Denver Post news team that won the Pulitzer Prize in 2000. She was a columnist for the Post from 1998 until 2007, when she was named director of communications at the School of Public Affairs. Since 2019, Diane has contributed to the Colorado Sun, focusing on Colorado politics, women’s rights, social justice, and environmental issues. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a BA in history and journalism, Diane has earned numerous statewide awards in Oregon, Ohio, and Colorado. Having fallen in love with Colorado in 1988, she has made the state her home and remains dedicated to covering its political and cultural landscape.
Contact Diane at 303-315-5818 or diane.carman@ucdenver.edu.
Katie Kerwin McCrimmon
Solutions Writer Katie Kerwin McCrimmon is an award-winning reporter and broadcast commentator. She has written health policy articles for The Colorado Trust and covered a broad range of issues for the Rocky Mountain News from 1988 to 2009. With extensive experience in health communication and media strategy, Katie has built a career focused on delivering in-depth insights into healthcare policy, public health issues, and digital media trends. Her work at UCHealth since 2017 has further solidified her as a leader in healthcare storytelling, where she connects patients, providers, and industry experts through compelling narratives. A versatile communicator, Katie blends her journalistic background with strategic communications expertise, driving impactful conversations in the healthcare space.
Contact Katie at 720-202-9921 or katherine.mccrimmon@ucdenver.edu.
Ryan Johnson, MD
Dr. Ryan Johnson, MD, is a dual board-certified physician in Family Medicine and Addiction Medicine with a deep expertise in medical topics. In addition to his clinical work, he is an editor and writer on healthcare and medical issues, sharing his insights on family medicine, addiction, and behavioral health. Dr. Johnson earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree from the University of Kansas and completed his residency at Via Christi Family Medicine Residency. His early career in West Texas involved providing a wide range of family medicine services, including obstetrics, followed by a teaching role at Ohio State University’s Rural Family Medicine Program, where he focused on women’s health and prenatal care.
After a decade working in the ER, Dr. Johnson shifted his focus to addiction medicine, eventually becoming the Medical Director and Chief Medical Officer at Peaks Recovery. Under his leadership, the facility was transformed into a comprehensive behavioral health center offering services from crisis intervention to outpatient care.
Contact Dr. Johnson at 303-315-5820 or ryan.johnson@ucdenver.edu.
- Dr. Johnson on Linkedin
- Ryan on U.S. News
- Profile on Healthgrades
- Ryan on Doximity
- Dr. Johnson on WebMD