Creator & Former Host

Shel began his career in informational radio programming at Chicago’s NPR affiliate, WBEZ, where he was a longtime host and producer of news magazine programs. At the PIA Radio Network, he produced Health Care and PIA Public Affairs before co-founding MediaTracks Communications with his partner Reed Pence over 30 years ago.

His work has won awards from organizations as varied as the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Education Writers Association and the International Radio Festival of New York. He has also been a professional musician as drummer for the well known midwest ska band Heavy Manners, and is an award-winning graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Shel retired from voicing Medical Notes in June 2024, at which time Maayan Voss de Bettancourt took over as host of the segment.