CLEVELAND — 3News' Senior Health Correspondent was honored Wednesday at the Press Club of Cleveland Hall of Fame Awards with the prestigious Chuck Heaton Award.
Named after the legendary Cleveland Plain Dealer sports writer, the Chuck Heaton Award is presented annually to "the print, radio, online or television journalist who best exemplifies the sensitivity and humility that, along with his journalism heart, were traits exhibited by Chuck Heaton during his exemplary career as a sports writer at The Plain Dealer."
In her time as 3News' Senior Health Correspondent, Monica has established herself as one of the region's most reliable and trusted sources for health news. With the ability to take even the most complicated medical procedure -- or emerging virus -- and make it understandable to viewers, Monica's stories are often broadcast nationally at other NBC affiliates and Tegna stations.
Over the course of the past few years, Monica has taken viewers on her own health journey. In 2019, she was diagnosed with a sphenoid wing orbital meningioma -- a tumor in her skull, growing near her carotid artery and her optic nerve. In October 2019, she underwent surgery to have as much of the tumor removed as possible.
Following a medical leave, Monica returned to 3News and became a leading authority on the coronavirus pandemic with her trademark "facts, not fear" approach. But in 2021, a scan revealed that the residual tumor left behind from the initial procedure spread from her eye socket into her cavernous sinus, where her carotid artery is also located.
In December of that year, Monica underwent a successful five-hour transorbital neuroendoscopic surgery. She returned to WKYC airwaves earlier this year.
"Luckiest girl alive," Monica said shortly before her return. "The tumor was about a centimeter behind my brow bone, so they didn't need to take out the bone in my face and they didn't need me to give up a rib to rebuild my face."
A seven-time Emmy award recipient, Monica has previously been honored with and several first-place awards from the Ohio Press Club and Associated Press and is a member of the Ohio Broadcasters Hall of Fame. She will be honored with the Chuck Heaton Award at the Press Club of Cleveland's Journalism Hall of Fame Awards at the City Club of Cleveland on Nov. 16, 2022.