CCHS External Relations provides strategic communications services that articulate, promote and advance the mission of the College to external audiences through content development and distribution.
The Department’s communications activities include printed materials, media relations, public relations, marketing, advertising, online content creation and management for websites and social media, and oversight of institutional branding for CCHS and its entities.
The Goals and Objectives of the Department are to
- Increase awareness of the positive impact CCHS has on the community, state and region.
- Strengthen the sense of community, connection and loyalty between CCHS and its key stakeholders.
- Increase the value key stakeholders place on the ways CCHS fulfills its mission of improving health in communities.
- Enhance CCHS’s ability to attract and sustain the resources it needs to continue to be successful.
Printed Materials
The Department works with CCHS faculty, staff, and medical student and residency administrators to prepare informational and promotional materials for distribution outside the College. The work includes magazines, informational brochures, recruitment brochures, patient brochures, advertisements, newsletters, etc. Services include concept development, planning, writing, editing, proofreading, design, illustration, coordinating photography, prepress production and production supervision.
Please review our production timelines.
All printed materials external to the College must be developed, completed and approved by CCHS External Relations and UA Strategic Communications.
Media Relations
The Department provides comprehensive print and broadcast media relations services for CCHS, and works closely with local, state, regional and national media to publicize College programs, events and activities, as well as faculty, medical student and resident expertise and research. The Department writes press releases, oversees photo and video shoots, and works closely with UA Media Relations and UA Strategic Communications.
All media requests for interviews must be routed through CCHS External Relations.
Public Relations
The Department creates and oversees public relations efforts for CCHS, a strategic communication process that uses engagement to build mutually beneficial relationships between the College and its various stakeholders. WVUA Health Matters, OLLI Mini Medical School, promotion of health awareness months, and University Medical Center patient information booklets are among the current public relations efforts of CCHS.
Marketing and Advertising
The Department develops strategies and initiates marketing and advertising programs to advance the programs, work, and brand of CCHS. Services include:
- Market research and planning to help College departments and units understand and target their audiences.
- Selection of colors, logos and design elements that align with CCHS marketing and advertising initiatives and UA branding requirements.
- Writing, design and production.
- Photography, social media, web and video service.
- Data analysis.
Websites
The Department directs and oversees the web presence for the College, its clinical practice and other divisions, including Residency, Medical Student Affairs, Rural Programs and the Institute for Rural Health Research. The Department also creates specific program and event-focused website pages, including the UA-Pickens County Partnership, Rural Health Conference, Culinary Medicine, Primary Care Track, etc.
Social Media
Social media is one of the many communication methods used by CCHS to share information, engage with our audiences and create a sense of community among our publics. This channel, unlike most others, provides the opportunity for instantaneous, two-way communication. Social media allows CCHS not only to share information, but also to raise awareness of our mission and values, and to build support within our local, state and regional communities. CCHS primary social media platforms include Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.