Skip to main content
Bridge Michigan
Michigan’s nonpartisan, nonprofit news source

Journalism protects democracy

Trustworthy, nonpartisan local news like ours spurs growth, fosters relationships, and helps to ensure that everyone is informed. This is essential to a healthy democracy. Will you support the nonprofit, nonpartisan news that makes Michigan a better place this election year?

Make your tax-deductible contribution today.

Pay with VISA Pay with MasterCard Pay with American Express Pay with PayPal Donate

Award-winning medical reporter joins Bridge to lead Michigan Health Watch

Robin Erb, an accomplished Michigan journalist and medical reporter, has joined Bridge Magazine as the lead reporter for Michigan Health Watch.

In an award-winning career spanning three decades, Erb has developed a reputation throughout Michigan for her empathetic, insightful and conscientious reporting.

A former reporter for the Detroit Free Press, Erb’s award-winning stories have chronicled the battle over the Affordable Care Act, the state expansion of Medicaid, cutting-edge research led by Michigan’s hospitals and universities, deadly mistakes and extraordinary care in nursing homes and a mixup of chemicals in cattle feed in central Michigan in the 1970s whose effects still linger today.

Come work with us: Bridge is hiring a copy editor/production manager

A resident of southern Michigan, Erb worked for the Free Press from 2007 to 2015, including six years as a medical reporter, and for the Toledo Blade from 1992 to 2007.

She returns to journalism following three years as vice president of communications at Sunshine Communities, a northeast Ohio nonprofit that provides residential, vocational and clinical support to those with developmental disabilities. Erb holds bachelor’s degrees in communications and political science from Miami University and a master’s in organizational leadership from Lourdes University (Toledo, Ohio).

Along with Ted Roelofs, a former Grand Rapids Press reporter, Erb will provide thrice-monthly reports on topics related to healthcare and mental health.

Michigan Health Watch is the latest in a series of expansions at nonprofit Bridge Magazine, as staffing and content shrink at traditional news organizations. Since 2017, Bridge has added four reporters, an editor and growth strategist, launched the Michigan Environmental Watch report and expanded our Lansing staff to more closely chronicle the machinations of state government.

Become a Bridge Club member: Help fund future staff expansion

Michigan Health Watch is made possible by reader donations and generous funding from the  Michigan Health Endowment Fund, the Michigan Association of Health Plans, and the Michigan Health and Hospital Association. The monthly mental health report is made possible by the generous  financial support of the Ethel & James Flinn Foundation.

Bridge journalism remains editorially independent and is not influenced by any individual or organization that helps fund our nonpartisan mission.   

You can reach Robin at rerb@bridgemi.com or (734) 725-1155.

Michigan Health Watch

Michigan Health Watch is made possible by generous financial support from:

Please visit the About page for more information, and subscribe to Michigan Health Watch.

Only donate if we've informed you about important Michigan issues

See what new members are saying about why they donated to Bridge Michigan:

  • “In order for this information to be accurate and unbiased it must be underwritten by its readers, not by special interests.” - Larry S.
  • “Not many other media sources report on the topics Bridge does.” - Susan B.
  • “Your journalism is outstanding and rare these days.” - Mark S.

If you want to ensure the future of nonpartisan, nonprofit Michigan journalism, please become a member today. You, too, will be asked why you donated and maybe we'll feature your quote next time!

Pay with VISA Pay with MasterCard Pay with American Express Pay with PayPal Donate Now