Getting to Know the Business a Little More

Columbus Regional Health

This week I had the opportunity to learn some fun new stuff. I’m learning more and more about marketing strategies and for different platforms. I am also getting to apply what I’m learning in class to what I’m doing on a daily basis at the hospital.

     I’ve been trying to help keep up with measuring the value of exposure for the Columbus Regional Health brand. Believe it or not, there actually is a way that companies measure their exposure in a mathematical sense. Every month at Columbus Regional, they do a measurement of all social media, TV, online newspapers, and traditional newspapers. If something gets a ‘like’ on Facebook, it is seen as a dollar amount, or if a post is ‘Shared’ or ‘Retweeted,’ it all means money. Same goes for newspapers, everything is a factor-if the article is on a front page, how big the article is, if it is black or white, or even if it comes out in the Sunday paper-the more exposure, the more money for the company.

I’ve also been given a new responsibility this week, which is very exiting. Throughout all the hospitals, there are Digital Message Boards-some for only physician areas, some for only employee areas, and others for consumers (or hospital visitors). Each one is supposed to run certain messages and they change periodically, so new ones have to be created. Well it is going to be one of my new jobs to be the person to help manage those Digital Message Boards. I’m excited to learn more about them, and help out more around the office.

In addition to helping with those other tasks, the Marketing department was asked to participate in the Crawl the Hall for the children’s floor Halloween event. Jessica put me in charge to come up with our theme, attraction, table presentation, and prizes. I know it seems small, but it is her first time that this department has been asked, so I feel great that they asked me to take charge of it. I can’t wait to see how it turns out-I have so many ideas already!

Knocking Out Breast Cancer

Columbus Regional Health

An astronomical amount of planning has been going on around the office lately. Columbus Regional Foundation hosted the 12^th annual Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon this week, with a knockout theme. This year they chose the theme of “Knocking Out Breast Cancer,” and it was a huge success.

An example of the table settings.

I got to help with this event in so many ways. I wrote up some press releases for the event, as well as advertising the event and highlighting key parts of the luncheon on social media platforms. It was neat to see my ideas carried out, and to know that I contributed in some way. I also helped to get the banquet hall ready, by helping to decorate and setting up seat presentations (all 1,400 chairs). Then on the day of, I showed up early to help with last minute things and helped to run the raffle ticket tables, while trying to help manage media.

It was a good day, for a great cause. I was lucky to be a part of the production team, even if my role was a small one.

Scott Hill and I.

Dancing Their Way to Better Care

Columbus Regional Health

Today I got to experience how great people can be. Columbus Regional Health named the Midtown Medical Center Pediatric Emergency Room lobby after the Auburn Dance Marathon. They did this because these groups of students have been raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for the children’s department at MMC each year. This year they pledged to make a $500,000.00 donation.

The Auburn Dance Marathon and Columbus Regional Health’s Scott Hill.

This is such an incredible aid to Midtown Medical Center. This started as an organization of students who just wanted to do something more, and has grown to such a large event that raises so much money. It shows how a community can come together to make a difference in the world.

Columbus Regional Health put on a ceremony to thank the students of Auburn Dance Marathon for all their hard work and caring hearts. Our CEO, Ryan Chandler, and other important faculty came to the event to speak and say thanks. Afterwards, Dr. Zanga gave a tour of the Peds ER, and we provided refreshments and a presentation showcasing the previous work of the students.

Dr. Zanga starting the tour of the PEDs ER.

It was so tremendous to meet these wonderful students, as well as the doctors and faculty that care so much about what they do.

Dr. Zanga and members of the AUDM in front of the new plaque in the lobby.

Making it my Own

I’ve said before how much I am enjoying my internship, but this week is just a little bit sweeter. When I started this internship, I was given a little cubicle and told that I could decorate, if I wanted to. We’ve been pretty busy, and we’re always on the go, however, this week I made my office my own.

My Message Board Wall

This might seem silly, but I am so glad that I decorated it. Besides all of the compliments, it is fantastic coming in in the mornings to my bright space-I feel like a part of the department. I feel like decorating my cubicle, even if temporary, lets them know that I am invested in this space, and more importantly, Columbus Regional Health.

I am incredibly fortunate to have this opportunity at Columbus Regional Health, and I can’t wait to see what is next! I even love getting my little sticky note messages!

My first message!

Behind the Scenes

Columbus Regional Health

      This week, as usual, has been busy and full of more exciting media activity. Coming into the office has become one of my favorite parts of the day. I love filling in my planner on Monday mornings with all of the week’s activities. And I’m finding that I love the staff more and more, and I am enjoying the work that we are doing.

     This week I got to experience an interview for the Ledger Enquirer. This process is a little different because there is no audio or visual recording-the reporter just has a conversation with their interviewee and writes down the information that they want to use. There was a cameraman, but he was just snapping shots of Mike Smajde, the interviewee and Director of Columbus Hospice, and the renovated rooms in the new Columbus Hospice wing of the hospital. Columbus Regional Health is partnering up with Columbus Hospice to open up a wing right in the hospital! It is a great new addition to the hospital, and will open new doors. This wing will open its doors officially next week.

     In addition to the interest in Columbus Regional Health from the paper side of news, WTVM approached us, asking to do a few scenes for some new commercials about health. Of course we jumped at the opportunity to promote Columbus Regional Health and good health habits.

     We coordinated to have specialized nurses available for the filming, and it was great to see such an experienced reporter on the job. Barbra Gauthier came in and lit up the room with her presence. It will be pretty exciting to see the final result in commercials on TV, and know that I was a part of the behind the scenes.

Staying Ahead with Technology

Columbus Regional Healthcare

It’s been just another week at Columbus Regional Health. It seems that something is always going on-at any time of the day, or night.

This past week, I got to dab in a little bit of everything. There were the usual interviews, I got to write some press releases for upcoming events, and I got to meet an interesting, new addition to the Columbus Regional Health family.

The Robo-Courier on his way to pick up some lab specimens.

Columbus Regional Health foundation recently made a generous donation to the pharmaceutical department at Midtown Medical Center. The technicians had to run back and forth, all over the hospital, transporting medicines, lab works, and other important material in between departments. Thanks to the generous donation from the Columbus Regional Health foundation, Midtown Medical Center now has one of the two Robo-Couriers in the state. This advancement has been a tremendous relief to the staff.

Lab technician placing items in the Robo-Courier to be delivered.

What is a Robo-Courier you ask? I said the same thing. He definitely turned out to be quite different than I imagined. The Robo-Courier was designed to fulfill the role of transporting specimens throughout a healthcare laboratory. This robot is designed to navigate through hallways, unlimited turns, and even through hectic hospital traffic. He steers around people and thanks to his sensor, he can navigate around unplanned obstacles. This little robot is already helping out so much.

Technician receiving a delivery from another laboratory.

The Marketing and PR department is excited to kickoff a contest of sorts to help name the Robo-Courier. It should be a thrilling way to bring acknowledgement, publicity, and excitement about the hospital’s new addition.

I am still so pleasantly surprised how much I’m enjoying my internship in the health field. Learning about and publicizing the people here for the amazing work that they do, as well as all the events that surround the hospital on a daily basis. And on this Monday morning as I reflect back to last week, I am filling my calendar with an abundant amount of interviews, health spotlights, job spotlights, ceremonies, ribbon cuttings, and even coordinating for short videos. Looks like it will be another great week!

Giving Back and Making a Difference

Columbus Regional Healthcare

I got to take part in one of Columbus Regional’s outreach programs this week. Columbus Regional is involved in many programs, but this week I learned about their connection to Clubview Elementary.

Principal Lorrie Watt and I

Clubview is CR’s Partner in Education, and in this partnership management and employees from Columbus Regional support activities and events throughout the year. Columbus Regional is active in a monthly Amazing Ambassadors award breakfast, monthly Wonderful Wednesday education program, Participation in Career Day, and other various involvements at the school. Clubview students also partake in hospital events such as performing at the annual Reindeer Run and Tree of Light Ceremony.

Students at Clubview enjoying their recognition and breakfast!

Jessica Word helping to give out the breakfast to students and their families.

We got to attend the Amazing Ambassadors recognition breakfast. We received donations from Pezold Management for McDonalds biscuits and orange juice; the kids loved it! After their principal, Lorrie Watt, read their Amazing Ambassador awards, Jessica Word and I handed them awards from Columbus Regional as well. It was great to see the children so excited and proud of their accomplishments. The cafeteria was crowded adoring parents, there to honor their children. There were many pictures and smiles that morning.

One of the students I taught English in Mexico.

In addition to being rewarded with the children’s happiness, I was talking with Principal Watt and an opportunity opened up for me. Principal Watt & I discussed me coming back and helping with the children in the Spanish class.

A group of children I got to work closely with.

I am a Spanish minor and I recently went to Mexico on a study abroad trip. While I was there, some of us volunteered at a school to teach the children English. It was such an amazing experience for me, so the opportunity to create awareness and involvement is extraordinary. These children go without so much and are so often forgotten about. Once a year when CSU comes to visit, we’re the only group that comes to work with them…once a year, for four weeks.

Principal Watt mentioned me doing a presentation to go on their school news station, and I proposed creating pen pals for the classes. There is so much that can come from such a simple connection, and I am eager to see where it will lead.

CSU students busy teaching.

CSU students helping children to read.

My First Days at Columbus Regional

Columbus Regional Health

Last week I started my internship with Columbus Regional Healthcare, and I couldn’t be more excited. When choosing an internship for this semester, I wasn’t sure where to start, or what I would be good at. I met with Dr. Gibson and she pushed me in the direction of Columbus Regional, and set me up with a meeting with the Director of Strategic Communication, Marketing, & Public Relations, Marion Scott, right away. I was extremely nervous.

Health Communication is a growing field, but I wasn’t sure if it was the field for me. However when I met my ‘boss,’ I got very excited and realized that I could really like this. And I couldn’t have been more correct.

Walking in the first day was exhilarating just for the fact that it felt real—like this will be my real world soon, after graduation and I start my own career. I was given my own cubicle for my own workspace, and I am even allowed to decorate! The entire staff is fantastic and friendly to me. Everyone there wants me to learn, and gain as much experience as I can.

Unfortunately, my boss, Marion Scott, injured herself a week before I got there, but I am fortunate to be able to work under a friendly, familiar face and former CSU graduate. Jessica Word is the Public Relations Coordinator at Columbus Regional, and kind of my temporary boss. She has been so helpful with getting me familiarized with the company, and showing me the ropes of the day-to-day grind.

It is exciting to see all that goes into their jobs. I could have never imagined what all they do. I found out that Columbus Regional Healthcare isn’t just one hospital, but four, and they only have three (and a half) people working in the whole PR/Marketing department. One minute they might be sitting in the office working, the next they get a call from the newspaper or a TV station and they’re scurrying all over trying to coordinate interviews or anything else necessary.

My id badge!!

It is exciting work; I can definitely see that now. Seeing and being a part of it helps tremendously, and I know this will be an awesome opportunity. So I am now the first, official CSU intern at Columbus Regional, and I intend to do it well!

Handling the Worries About the Public’s Healthcare

Columbus Regional Healthcare

This week has been really exciting at Columbus Regional! I got to see firsthand how fast paced everything is in the PR department, and how quickly plans and schedules can change.

Dr. Zanga discussing Enterovirus D-68 prevention.

Monday, Jessica Word, my supervisor called me to tell me that they got a call from the TV station WRBL asking for a doctor to interview about the Enterovirus D-68. This was a great example to show me how to take action and get the job done! Jessica had to call around to find the perfect candidate for the interview. She told me when choosing people for stuff like this, you want to choose someone who will best represent your company and brand. Finding someone who is educated on the topic at hand and able to articulate great responses is necessary. Also someone who isn’t camera shy!

We were able to coordinate an interview with Dr. Joseph Zanga, the Chief of Pediatrics at Midtown Medical. He has been working with children and their families for years, so he had much to say and great advice to offer to prevent of the spread of the virus.

Find the full story here: http://www.wrbl.com/story/26490732/local-doctors-prepare-for-enterovirus-d-68

Dr. Deanna Tabb, Clinical Pharmacist-Specializing in Infectious Diseases.

The next day, I came into the office expecting to go to the TV station to shadow a biweekly Health Spotlight, however, we were sent on another mission. WLTZ called and wanted to set up an interview to discuss the Ebola 4 outbreak. Within minutes Jessica had called around to departments and found the perfect specialist to discuss the issue at hand.

Dr. Tabb was able to provide comfort in the fact that if something were to happen, that patient(s) would be able to stay close to home.

Columbus Regional is fortunate to have Dr. Deanna Tabb on staff, who specializes in Infectious Diseases. She was able to inform the public that, IF, an outbreak were to occur, Columbus Regional would be able to handle and care for someone right here.

It has been exciting to get to see how constant everything is in the department. One minute they can be attending to social media for the company, the next coordinating a new event placed in their lap, or getting a phone call that someone will be there in fifteen minutes, so figure out who will be there to represent Columbus Regional. The possibilities here are endless. Right now the department is working on launching a new campaign, full of new logos, ads, and other opportunities to showcase this tremendous healthcare system. All while maintaining and screening everything that is being said-The job is to protect the company, while representing it in a positive light.

Let’s see what else will unfold!