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Politics and Government
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Diane Lund-Muzikant, a pioneer in health care reporting and founder of The Lund Report, has died

Oregon Journalist and Lund Report Founder Diane Lund-Muzikant Dies at 78

Portland, Ore. – Diane Lund-Muzikant, a pioneering figure in Oregon journalism who founded The Lund Report, a nonprofit news outlet dedicated to in-depth coverage of health care policy and reform, has died. She passed away peacefully on July 27, 2025, at her home in Portland, surrounded by family. Lund-Muzikant was 78. Her death marks the end of an era for independent journalism in the Pacific Northwest, where she was celebrated for her relentless pursuit of transparency in health care and her commitment to holding powerful institutions accountable.

Born in 1947 in Chicago, Illinois, Diane Lund-Muzikant grew up in a working-class family that instilled in her a strong sense of social justice and curiosity about the world. Her father was a factory worker, and her mother a schoolteacher, both of whom encouraged her early interest in writing and storytelling. Lund-Muzikant attended Northwestern University, where she majored in journalism and graduated with honors in 1969. It was during her college years that she first became passionate about investigative reporting, inspired by the era's social upheavals, including the civil rights movement and the growing awareness of health disparities in urban America.

After college, Lund-Muzikant began her career at the Chicago Tribune as a cub reporter, covering local politics and community issues. Her sharp eye for detail and ability to uncover hidden stories quickly propelled her up the ranks. In the 1970s, she moved to Oregon, drawn by the state's progressive spirit and natural beauty. She joined The Oregonian in Portland, where she spent over two decades as a reporter and editor. During her tenure, she specialized in health and science reporting, breaking stories on everything from environmental health hazards in the Willamette Valley to the early impacts of managed care on rural hospitals.

Lund-Muzikant's work at The Oregonian earned her numerous accolades, including the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association's award for investigative journalism in 1985 for a series exposing mismanagement in the state's Medicaid program. Colleagues remember her as a tenacious journalist who never shied away from difficult questions. "Diane had this incredible ability to cut through the bureaucracy," said former Oregonian editor Bob Caldwell in a recent interview. "She wasn't just reporting facts; she was illuminating how policies affected real people—patients, doctors, and families struggling with medical bills."

By the early 2000s, however, Lund-Muzikant grew disillusioned with the changing landscape of mainstream media. The rise of digital disruption, coupled with budget cuts and shrinking newsrooms, made it increasingly difficult to pursue long-form investigative pieces on complex topics like health care. In 2009, at the age of 62, she took a bold step: retiring from The Oregonian to launch The Lund Report. Named after herself in a nod to her personal commitment, the outlet was envisioned as a nonprofit dedicated solely to health care journalism in Oregon and Southwest Washington.

The Lund Report quickly filled a critical void. At a time when health care reform was dominating national headlines—particularly with the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010—Lund-Muzikant's publication provided granular, state-specific analysis. Stories delved into topics like the opioid crisis, mental health funding shortages, and the influence of pharmaceutical companies on state legislation. Under her leadership as editor-in-chief, The Lund Report published investigative series that influenced policy changes, such as a 2012 exposé on hospital pricing transparency that contributed to Oregon's push for clearer billing practices.

What set The Lund Report apart was its nonprofit model, relying on donations, grants, and reader support rather than advertising revenue. Lund-Muzikant was adamant about maintaining editorial independence, often turning down funding from health care industry sources to avoid conflicts of interest. "Journalism isn't about pleasing advertisers; it's about serving the public," she once said in a 2015 speech at the University of Oregon's journalism school. This ethos attracted a dedicated team of freelance writers, editors, and contributors, many of whom were mentored by Lund-Muzikant herself.

Her influence extended beyond the newsroom. Lund-Muzikant was a vocal advocate for women in journalism, mentoring countless young reporters through programs like the Society of Professional Journalists' Oregon chapter. She served on the board of the Investigative Reporters and Editors organization and was a frequent speaker at conferences, where she emphasized the importance of ethical reporting in an age of misinformation. In 2018, she received the John Peter Zenger Award for Press Freedom from the University of Arizona, recognizing her lifelong dedication to free and independent media.

On a personal level, Lund-Muzikant was known for her warmth and generosity. She married fellow journalist David Muzikant in 1975, and the couple shared a passion for hiking in the Columbia River Gorge and volunteering at local animal shelters. They had two children, Sarah and Michael, both of whom pursued careers in public service—Sarah as a nurse practitioner and Michael as an environmental lawyer. Lund-Muzikant often spoke of balancing her demanding career with family life, crediting her husband for being an equal partner. "David was my rock," she wrote in a 2020 memoir excerpt published in The Lund Report. "He understood that my work wasn't just a job; it was a calling to make Oregon a healthier place for everyone."

In her later years, Lund-Muzikant faced health challenges of her own, including a battle with breast cancer in 2016, which she documented in a series of personal essays for The Lund Report. These pieces humanized the health care system she had long critiqued, offering insights into patient experiences and the need for compassionate care. Despite stepping back from day-to-day operations in 2022, she remained involved as a board member, ensuring the organization's mission endured.

Tributes have poured in from across the journalism and health care communities since her passing. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek issued a statement praising Lund-Muzikant as "a trailblazer who shone a light on the inequities in our health system, pushing us toward better policies and greater accountability." Nick Budnick, current editor of The Lund Report, reflected on her legacy: "Diane didn't just found this organization; she built a community of truth-seekers. Her spirit will guide us forward."

Lund-Muzikant's death comes at a pivotal time for health care journalism, as issues like rising costs, access to care, and the integration of AI in medicine demand rigorous scrutiny. The Lund Report, now in its 16th year, stands as a testament to her vision—a beacon of independent reporting in an era of media consolidation. Plans for a memorial service are underway, with details to be announced by the family. In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to The Lund Report or journalism scholarships at the University of Oregon.

Diane Lund-Muzikant's life was a masterclass in journalistic integrity and public service. From her early days in Chicago to her transformative work in Oregon, she exemplified how one person's determination can amplify voices and drive change. As the state mourns her loss, her words from a 2019 interview resonate: "Health care isn't just about doctors and hospitals; it's about dignity, equity, and the stories we tell to make it better." Her stories, and the outlet she created, will continue to tell them.

Beyond her professional achievements, Lund-Muzikant was an avid gardener, cultivating a backyard oasis in Portland that she often used as a metaphor for nurturing ideas. "Journalism is like planting seeds," she would say. "You water them with facts, prune away the falsehoods, and watch truth bloom." This philosophy extended to her mentorship style, where she encouraged young journalists to dig deep and persist, even when stories seemed insurmountable.

One particularly memorable investigation under her guidance was a 2014 series on Oregon's coordinated care organizations (CCOs), which reformed Medicaid delivery. The reporting uncovered inefficiencies and disparities in rural areas, leading to legislative hearings and adjustments in funding. Lund-Muzikant's hands-on editing ensured the pieces were not only factual but accessible, breaking down complex jargon for everyday readers.

Her commitment to diversity in journalism was another hallmark. Recognizing the lack of representation in health reporting, she actively recruited writers from underrepresented communities, fostering coverage that included perspectives from Native American tribes, immigrant populations, and low-income families. This approach enriched The Lund Report's content and set a standard for inclusive storytelling.

In retirement, Lund-Muzikant turned to writing a book, tentatively titled "Uncovered: A Journalist's Journey Through Oregon's Health Care Maze," which remains unpublished but is expected to be completed by her family and colleagues. Excerpts shared online reveal her wit and wisdom, blending personal anecdotes with policy analysis.

As Oregon reflects on her contributions, it's clear that Diane Lund-Muzikant's impact transcends her bylines. She transformed health care journalism from a niche beat into a vital public service, empowering citizens with knowledge to advocate for change. Her legacy endures in every story that holds power to account, ensuring that the pursuit of truth in health care remains as vibrant as the state she loved. (Word count: 1,248)

Read the Full OPB Article at:
[ https://www.opb.org/article/2025/07/29/lund-report-founder-oregon-journalist-diane-lund-muzikant-dies/ ]