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This is one of the first times I encountered national media. Tragic and yet inspiring story of Chucky Mullins from Ole Miss. Greg Gumbel from CBS Sports and President George H.W. Bush visited Baptist Memorial Hospital (BMH). What great experience for a newbie on the 6th floor PR Department of BMH. Check out the link.
The usual routine of any good PR person is to check the news several times a day. On Saturday morning prior to Labor Day 2013, there was a horrifying train crash in nearby Chaffee, Mo. What looked liked a massive tragedy was great visual for video and photos. Reuters, AP, CBS. NBC and many others were on the story. A few months earlier a Connecticut commuter train accident drew national attention. Saint Francis Medical Center is the only designated Level III Trauma Center between Memphis and St. Louis and is located 11 miles from the Chaffee crash site. Worked the phones all day with updates and follow up . Great work from the Scott County Sheriff’s staff and the Emergency Department (ED) of Saint Francis Medical Center. The ED staff are trained, clinical professionals who know how and where to send the media. There were no major injuries to the victims. Thanks be to God. Check out the link.
Making a landmark pink during the month of October was an idea inspired by the lighting of the Hernando-Desoto bridge in Memphis many years ago. Saint Francis Healthcare System wanted to bring awareness to early detection and to save lives through screening mammograms. Generous donors provide funds each year for free mammograms to women that are uninsured or underinsured. Saint Francis’ efforts through Pink Up bring hundreds of volunteers and raise thousands of dollars to save lives annually. The bridge was the “pink” cherry on top. This spectacular bridge is a symbol of efforts to keep mothers, sisters, daughters, nieces and granddaughters just a little closer to and longer with their families. Saint Francis also brings awareness to the incidence of male breast cancer. Check out the link.
Making the leap to not hire smokers for healthcare systems seems a no-brainer. Not so fast says the New York Times and other national and international media. Saint Francis President and CEO Steven C. Bjelich, FACHE-D, handled this issue with talking points and position statements. In his typical fashion, he knocked it out of the park. Great to work with such a professional who knows and trusts his PR advisors. Issue management can be dicey.
richmondblantonpr.com 