October/November 2006 Newsletter

October 01, 2006 

Dear HCO Members and Friends,

From start to finish, the annual Fall Conference will inspire you to new heights! Join your colleagues from across the state as we gather Friday, November 3, at the Embassy Suites at Washington Square, 9000 SW Washington Square Road, Tigard, Oregon.

Youll explore new ways to enhance your business through the very latest in high tech communications. Youll get a fresh perspective on the state of healthcare in Oregon, enlightening new ways to market your healthcare projects, insight on consumer driven healthcare, labor relations, Kaiser Permanentes Thrive campaign, and how to manage change in our diverse healthcare field. See the details below.

There will be ample time to network with others who walk in your shoes. This year were asking attendees to bring their best projects to be displayed so youll take home plenty of ideas that will inspire and renew your creative spirit.

Think you cant get away from the office? Think again! Its a Friday ... Its an opportunity to kick back and enjoy. Sometimes one day makes all the difference! See you there!

Feel free to call or e-mail me at (503) 848-3640, belaf@earthlink.net with any questions about board positions or committees.

Best regards,

Bela Friedman belaf@earthlink.net HCO President 2006

One day can make a difference, and this is one day you don't want to miss! HCO's annual Fall Conference, Friday, November 3 promises to enhance your marketing and public relations skills with a fantastic lineup of outstanding speakers and topics.

 
Registration is now open! Speakers include:

• Andy Davidson, president and CEO of Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems, with "Is the State of the State a House of Cards?"
•  Bill Barr, Regence Blue Cross/Blue Shield, will discuss consumer-driven healthcare 
• Tracy Duryee and Tonia Farman of Locus Interactive will talk about blogs, podcasts and RSS feeds, and how these emerging mediums can increase organization, credibility, awareness, enhance public perception and achieve business objectives.
• Larry Wheeler, Kaiser Permanente Northwest Region, will discuss the development and new approach of Kaiser's "Thrive" campaign.
• Mara Woloshin, Woloshin Communications, with the topic "Managing Changes and Challenges in the Healthcare Field."
• Marilyn Hawkins, Hawkins & Company PR, "What Every Healthcare Provider Needs to Know About Labor Relations Communications"
• Pat McCormick, Conkling Fiskum & McCormick, Inc., "Word of Mouth Marketing"

Date & Time: November 3, 2006, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration begins at 8 a.m. with coffee, pastries and fruit. Lunch will also be served.

 
Fee: $150 (includes conference fee and 2007 HCO membership)

Location: Embassy Suites Hotel at Washington Square , 9000 SW Washington Square Road, Tigard, Oregon, 503-644-4000

Ten rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and we have been given a special rate of $99 - singles/doubles and $114 - triples. Mention the HCO Conference when you make your reservation.

Project Showcase:  We want to show off your favorite and best projects of the past year, so please don’t forget to bring your strategies, brochures, newsletters,  public relations and ad campaigns and more.  Please place all material in a binder. They will be displayed to inspire others!

Win an iPod. Enter a Communication Tip:   Here's your chance to share a success story, a tip to stay organized, a crisis averted. We want your story! (Please limit to 200 words.) E-mail your writeup to Bela Friedman ( belaf@earthlink.net ) before the event or bring a copy to registration. We will draw a winner at the end of the day!

SWAG/Freebies:  As usual, bring your extra promotional items to share with your friends. Pens, golf balls, first aid kits... Share the wealth!

Register: Complete the attached registration form and submit it to Ken Cole, Southwest Washington Medical Center -- e-mail: kcole@swmedctr.com or call (360) 514-3066.

MEMBER OF THE MONTH: Mike Riley
Organization: Riley Research Associates
Role: Research Director / CEO
Health Care Connection: The largest segment of our work is in the health care realm.  We conduct communications research for hospitals, insurance companies, public agencies, medical specialties, and physician groups.
Background: 20 years in the research industry; Accredited by PRSA and Certified by the Market Research Association. Biggest Health Care Communications Challenge:  Generating research that results in changes in consumer behavior (even when it's in the clients best interest). Greatest Professional Passion: The behavioral "ah ha!"  Asking the right questions to identify the messages that connect with people on both emotional and rational levels. Most Recent Read:  Chronicles of Narnia (Book 5)

JOB OPENING
St. Lukes Health Network (SLHN), a four hospital system located in and around Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, seeks a Vice President - Marketing and Public Relations. The Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations will supervise a staff of 12 and is responsible for marketing plan development, market research, community relations and events, advertising, publications, collaterals, call center supervision, web site management and the provision of marketing support to all areas of the organization. A bachelors degree in marketing, communications, public relations or a related field along with 7+ years of marketing experience in a health system, hospital or health care setting is required for this position. Staff supervisory experience is also required and preference is given for experience in a competitive environment. For more information, contact David Marlowe, Strategic Marketing Concepts at 410-997-8033 or dmarlow1@ix.netcom.com

MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS IN THE NEWS
The Oregon Health Forum’s 2006 Leadership Dinner will be held December 6th at the Portland Hilton hotel. For more information, call 503-226-7870.   Read more ...

Adventist Medical Center recently broke ground on an outpatient pavilion. The 181,000-square-foot facility will include a new center for cardiovascular services, an expanded emergency department and additional operating rooms. Read more ...

BE FEATURED IN THE NEWSLETTER! Do you have news for HCO members? Do you have ideas for member of the month or the organizational profile? Would you like to post a job opening? Has your company done something newsworthy recently? Contact Hannah Clegg at clegghe@ah.org to submit your information to the HCO newsletter.