LLU&MC Scope Autumn 2000

Public affairs office wins three awards in national competition

Six members of the Loma Linda Univerity and Medical Center public affairs and LLUMC advancement offices were honored with three awards at the 1999 Healthcare Public Relations and Marketng Association (HPRMA) Golden Advocate Awards program, held May 25, at the Oakmont Country Club in Pasadena.

In May, six members of the LLU&MC public affairs and advancement teams were on hand at the Oakmont Country Club, Pasadena, to accept three awards from the Healthcare Public Relations and Marketing Association (HPRMA). Pictured above (from left) are Vania C. Matheus, development associate, LLUMC advancement; Larry Kidder, MA, special projects editor, University relations; Waldena J. Gaede, associate director, University relations; Nicole R. Cheatham, special projects editor, University relations; Greg Williams, DrPH, former administrative director, LLUMC marketing; and Heidi Christiansen, account executive, LLUMC marketing.

Receiving the Silver Advocate Award in the annual report category was the Board of Trustees Report to the Constituencies, published by Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center (executive editor, W. Augustus Cheatham, MSW, vice president for public affairs and marketing; managing editor, Waldena J. Gaede, associate director, University relations; and associate editor, Nicole R. Cheatham, special projects editor, University relations).

Receiving the Silver Advocate Award in the marketing budget over $15,000 category was "You make the difference," a customer-service education program for LLUMC employees. Marketing staff present to receive the award were Greg Williams, DrPH, former administrative director, LLUMC marketing department; and Heidi Christiansen, account executive, LLUMC marketing department.

Receiving the Silver Advocate Award in the external magazine category was Expressions, published by Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, and Loma Linda University Community Medical Center (managing editor, Vania C. Matheus, development associate, LLUMC office of advancement; and layout/design, Larry Kidder, MA, special projects editor, University relations).

Entries were judged by the Mississippi Hospital Association.

HPRMA has been at the forefront of the hospital consumerism movement for the past 30 years. A constantly growing membership, composed of marketing and public relations officers from hospitals, health-care systems, physician groups, rehabilitation facilities, medical device manufacturers, and related organizations throughout Southern California provides an avant-garde forum where ideas can be exchanged.

The organization is an affiliate of the American Society for Healthcare Strategy and Marketing Development of the American Hospital Association. More than 100 entries were received for 15 award categories.

[Scope, Autumn 2000]