SHSMD Podcast Rapid Insights for Health Care Marketers, Planners, and Communicators

How do great leaders help emerging talent move beyond development and into opportunity? In this episode, executive leaders Melissa Fors Shackelford, Terri Flood, and Jhaymee Tynan explore the powerful connection between mentorship and sponsorship, and why both are essential for building strong health care marketing leadership pipelines. Learn practical strategies for advancing high-potential talent, strengthening succession planning, and creating a culture where advocacy fuels retention, growth, and long-term organizational success.

How do you lead communications when an emergency is unfolding by the minute and the stakes couldn't be higher? In this episode, Molly Luton, Chief Strategic Communications Officer for Ballad Health, shares firsthand lessons from Hurricane Helene, revealing how her team navigated catastrophic flooding, supported leaders and staff, and delivered transparent communication during a rapidly evolving crisis. Gain practical strategies for building trust, coordinating community messaging, and maintaining resilience when facing some of the most challenging moments in health care communications.

Want to build a Service Line Management Office (SLMO) that actually aligns strategy, data, and execution across a growing health system? Stephanie Jackson, Vice President, Service Lines at Tampa General Hospital, and Michael Parsons, Sr. Administrator, Service Line Strategic Operations at Tampa General Hospital, walk through Tampa General’s approach as it expanded from eight service lines to nearly 30 institutes.  Learn more about Stephanie Jackson  Learn more about Michael Parsons   

In this episode, leaders from Dayton Children’s share nine lessons from their journey to bring refreshed values to life through storytelling, leadership engagement, recognition, and strategic communication. Discover practical ideas for strengthening alignment, fostering pride and belonging, and creating a workplace culture where employees feel connected to a shared purpose.

In this episode, experts from Johns Hopkins Medicine break down the essentials of measuring campaign effectiveness and ROI, from connecting marketing leads to patient conversions through HIPAA-compliant data strategies to building dashboards that tell a compelling performance story. Tune in for practical guidance on campaign setup, data modeling, and analytics frameworks that help prove marketing’s contribution to patient growth, appointments, and revenue.

Most health care marketing teams aren't starting from zero. They're already experimenting with AI. The challenge is moving from "AI when I think of it" to "AI first." Lacey Reichwald, Director of Marketing at Aha Media Group, will discuss how marketing, digital, and strategy leaders can better understand where they are on the AI adoption curve, where their peers are, and how to build the internal conditions for intentional, scalable AI use. She discusses what AI actually is and isn't, how to benchmark your team's readiness against real industry data, and how to identify and prioritize the right pilot projects for your organization.  Learn more about Lacey Reichwald 

Children’s Nebraska transformed fragmented data into a strategic asset by creating a centralized data warehouse and executive-facing Power BI dashboards. In this episode, learn how the organization unified claims, financial, scheduling, and demographic data to deliver real-time insights, strengthen decision-making, and fuel growth across the enterprise.

Many health systems talk about population health. But very few have done the hard work to make it real, and even fewer know how to translate it into a brand patients actually understand and trust. This podcast explores a critical but often overlooked truth in healthcare marketing: you can’t communicate a promise your organization isn’t operationally ready to deliver. Listeners will gain a clear framework for translating complex operational, banding and marketing strategies into human-centered brand experiences that build trust and drive growth.

How do you build trust and brand preference when a hospital joins a larger system—especially in communities that value their local identity? In this episode, Cody Albert and Christina Thompson of OhioHealth share real-world insights on using research, strategic communication, and community engagement to guide hospitals through early integration with clarity and confidence. Learn practical approaches to introducing a system brand, aligning stakeholders, and strengthening connections in new and rural markets during times of change.

Ever wonder how a speech pathologist transitions to a CEO role in a major medical institution? Sommer Kleweno Walley shares her unique career trajectory and the critical choices that shaped her path. Learn how she harnessed clinical experience to lead effectively in the hospital environment.  Learn more about Sommer Kleweno Walley 

In this episode, join us as we explore the inspiring journey of Tracey Lewis Taylor, Chief Operating Officer at El Camino Health. Tracy shares her remarkable experiences in health care, the importance of mentorship, and how learning from every step along the way shaped her leadership qualities. Discover how you can apply these insights to your professional path in healthcare.

Join us for an inspiring episode featuring Callie Dobbins, RN, MSN, NEA-BC, Senior Vice President of Children's at Atrium Health. Discover how she transitioned from clinical care to leadership, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and strategic vision in healthcare. Learn valuable insights on advocating for a supportive environment for future healthcare leaders. Don't miss this impactful conversation — click to listen now!  Learn more about Callie Dobbins, RN, MSN, NEA-BC  

In this episode, we reveal how health care marketers can uncover hidden opportunities by looking inward and identifying overlooked organizational strengths. Through real-world case studies and executive insights, this episode offers practical tools to drive innovation, reinvigorate brand strategy, and prepare for future market shifts.

In this episode, we explore how Corewell Health successfully rebranded following the merger of Spectrum Health and Beaumont, transforming every branded asset across 21 hospitals and 300+ outpatient locations. Angela Gusse and Jon Levy share strategies, lessons learned, and practical tools for navigating large-scale brand transitions in complex health care environments.

Join experts from Risant Health as they explore how human-centered design is transforming healthcare. Learn how empathy, innovation, and collaboration are creating more compassionate and effective care systems through real-world stories and strategies.

In this episode, we explore how health care communicators can guide organizations through shifting policies and public skepticism by building agile, personalized thought leadership strategies. Shannon McCormick and Jeb Phillips share how Nationwide Children’s Hospital identifies and empowers diverse leaders to influence clinical, research, and policy conversations while aligning advocacy with organizational goals.

This episode dives into how health systems can harness the power of Brand Ambassadors to drive internal engagement, build trust, and support major brand transformations. Hear how Powers Health empowered over 200 ambassadors to champion their rebrand, creating authentic connections and fueling effective internal communications.

Discover how healthcare advertisers can boost campaign performance using data-driven strategies and audience precision at scale. Jeanette Geer from Spectrum Reach shares insights from new research, revealing how TV drives engagement and how to reach your ideal audience with confidence.

This episode dives into how Customer Data Platforms (CDPs) are reshaping health care marketing. Join Ryan Younger of Virtua Health and Craig Blake from Amsive as they unpack strategies for boosting ROI, ensuring HIPAA compliance, and integrating CDPs to drive smarter, data-informed campaigns.

Donna Teach is the SHSMD Leadership Excellence Award Recipient. The SHSMD Leadership Excellence Award honors outstanding leaders who have contributed to the field of health care strategy, including marketers, strategic planners, business developers and communications/PR leaders—individuals who are truly exemplars of the strategy professions and can demonstrate a career of stellar achievement.

Nardeep Singh is one of 4 SHSMD Rising Star Awardees. T​​​​he SHSMD Rising Star recognizes health care strategy professionals under the age of 40 who have demonstrated outstanding promise in their respective fields. This recognition shines a spotlight on SHSMD members who have made or are on their way to making significant contributions to their profession and the SHSMD membership.

Lacey Reichwald is one of 4 SHSMD Rising Star Awardees. T​​​​he SHSMD Rising Star recognizes health care strategy professionals under the age of 40 who have demonstrated outstanding promise in their respective fields. This recognition shines a spotlight on SHSMD members who have made or are on their way to making significant contributions to their profession and the SHSMD membership.

Khrista Boster is one of 4 SHSMD Rising Star Awardees. T​​​​he SHSMD Rising Star recognizes health care strategy professionals under the age of 40 who have demonstrated outstanding promise in their respective fields. This recognition shines a spotlight on SHSMD members who have made or are on their way to making significant contributions to their profession and the SHSMD membership.

This episode explores how Acenda Integrated Health tackled workforce engagement challenges using its “Educate, Engage, Repeat” strategy. Learn how multi-channel communication and employer branding helped build a stronger culture and improve retention across a mobile healthcare workforce.

In this episode, we explore how El Camino Health and The Innova Group built a data-driven ambulatory surgery strategy to strengthen physician alignment, expand patient access, and improve system margins. Using claims data, financial modeling, and targeted outreach, they share a replicable framework for identifying ASC opportunities and aligning strategic growth with operational and capital planning.

Discover how Children’s Nebraska transformed its complex strategic plan into a dynamic, actionable roadmap that engages employees and drives meaningful results. Learn how champion-led goals, streamlined success metrics, and a mission-aligned framework are helping the organization thrive in a post-pandemic healthcare landscape.

Feeling awkward at networking events? You’re not alone. Join Lindsay Carrillo of UCI Health as she explores the psychology behind social anxiety and why so many of us struggle with in-person interactions. She’ll share practical strategies to help you prepare for events, approach conversations with confidence, and build meaningful connections. Whether you're a physician, a leader, or just someone looking to improve your networking game, this episode offers tools you can use right away.

As AI transforms how healthcare consumers search for and engage with information, the focus is shifting from traditional SEO to a broader concept: findability. In this episode, we explore how Cone Health and Geonetric are redefining digital strategy to ensure the right content reaches the right people at the right time, through AI-driven insights, optimized listings, and smarter content marketing.

As health marketing evolves, micro-influencers are emerging as powerful allies in building trust and authenticity, especially around sensitive topics. In this episode, we explore how “The Pelvis Party” campaign used micro-influencers to humanize health messaging, foster deeper engagement, and create meaningful partnerships that go beyond traditional branded content.

As the health care sector confronts its environmental impact, communication professionals are stepping up to drive sustainability forward. In this episode, we explore how strategic messaging, stakeholder engagement, and storytelling can empower health organizations to reduce emissions, improve public health, and lead the charge toward a greener future.

In today’s data-driven healthcare landscape, integrating diverse data sources into dynamic dashboards is transforming how organizations identify market opportunities and optimize provider deployment. Join us as we explore a compelling case study from Washington University School of Medicine, showcasing how Power BI dashboards are used to drive strategic decisions, improve access to care, and ensure financial sustainability.

In our latest Women in Leadership episode, Danielle Gathje reflects on her remarkable career and the lessons she's learned along the way. From navigating gender bias to advocating for herself and others, Danielle's story is an inspiring reminder that resilience, positivity, and strong support systems are crucial for success in healthcare.

Join us for a sneak peek of Tucker Bryant's keynote, "The Poet’s Keys: A Guide to Unlocking Innovation in Health Care Strategy," where he reveals how poetic tools can enhance creativity, collaboration, and competitive advantage in the health care industry. Discover how embracing these strategies can help health care professionals navigate an ever-evolving landscape and lead their organizations to success.

Michele Sutton, FACHE, CEO of North Oaks Health System, shares her journey from SHSMD member to ACHE Chair, key leadership insights, and advice for thinking like a CEO.

The Women in Leadership series explores the life and career path of women in health care leadership roles. In this episode, we spotlight Jennifer Nickoles, President at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. Jen Nickoles always aspired to be a leader and after she completed her undergraduate studies at Johns Hopkins, she began her career in facilities management. Transitioning through the finance track, she moved into administration and eventually became Chief of Staff for Johns Hopkins Medicine. After several roles within the health system, she ultimately became the President of Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.

OhioHealth has developed a research-backed digital engagement strategy by studying consumer health behaviors and motivations to better understand patient needs and preferences. Attendees of this session will learn about patient expectations in healthcare brand relationships and receive real-world marketing strategies, along with a free copy of the consumer health and wellness research study.

Healthcare marketers face the challenge of separating myth from reality when it comes to implementing scalable personalization strategies, as consumer expectations now demand more tailored approaches. AdventHealth aims to showcase a viable solution for overcoming these challenges, providing clarity amid the confusion surrounding personalization in healthcare marketing.

Disruptors like Amazon and Dollar General are challenging traditional healthcare with convenience and affordability, prompting UPMC and NRC Health to explore the role of brand positioning in patient satisfaction and recognition. UPMC will share data on rural market challenges and patient care preferences, addressing broader trends like consumerism, patient engagement, and healthcare innovation.

With a looming shortage of over 4 million healthcare workers, this session explores how a marketing-first approach can enhance recruitment strategies to meet community needs. Sheppard Pratt's successful recruitment tactics, rooted in ROI-driven marketing and collaboration with internal stakeholders, will be highlighted as actionable examples for other health systems.

In 2025, three trends are poised to shift healthcare marketing significantly: GenAI, influencer marketing, and the “retailization” of healthcare. In this webinar, healthcare experts Erin Killion and Jenn Dixon from Goodway Group will dive into these trends, what they mean for your healthcare organization, and strategic ways you can capitalize on each trend in your marketing campaigns this upcoming year. Join us to learn how to leverage cutting-edge marketing methods to spearhead growth in 2025.

The Women in Leadership series explores the life and career path of women in health care leadership roles. In this episode, we spotlight Keeli John, Corporate Director of Planning, Design & Construction for Emory Healthcare.

Join Sara Meyer, Khrista Boster, and Diane Markham as they discuss their Rural Marketing Group.

Meet Tim McMahon, one of SHSMD's 2024 Rising Stars.

Meet Rachel Lott, one of SHSMD's Rising Star Awardees.

Today’s media landscape presents a challenge for health care marketers. The expanding multiscreen landscape has dramatically altered the TV audience experience. For advertisers, this creates troubling impression fragmentation, preventing most campaigns from gathering a critical mass of viewer attention. But there are solutions. We can rein in fragmentation by simplifying audience aggregation and increasing focus on outcomes. Join us as Jeanette Geer, Sr. Director of Category Sales – Healthcare of Spectrum Reach tells us how focusing on outcomes, following data, and reaching health care audiences where they spend their time, you can harness the chaos.

Dan Clarin of Kaufman Hall discusses the industry's shift to ambulatory care, highlighting pricing and cost in the context of expanding surgery and imaging capacities and third-party partnerships.

Join us as we learn more about the new Executive Director of SHSMD, Evan Williams! Evan is a seasoned association leader and Certified Association Executive (CAE) who has a strong focus on strategic initiatives, fostering innovation and enhancing member engagement. Tune in to learn about what drew Evan to work with SHSMD, what his goals for his first year are, and more.

Tune in as we discuss how to transform your life by identifying your passion, finding focus, and defining your path, empowering you to seize control and unlock your full potential.

Despite COVID-19 challenges, Mount Nittany Health's communications team revitalized corporate culture through enhanced Intranet content, a positive media campaign, and employee recognition programs. Their efforts doubled Intranet engagement, generated over 300 positive media stories, and boosted employee satisfaction, healthcare quality, and recruitment.

John McKeever and Stacey Mueller discuss Froedtert Health's work on psychographic segmentation. With just one year of experience working with the consumer personas they created, the organization has achieved some key learnings and developed a roadmap of use cases and integration opportunities.