Healthcare Communications Boot Camp 5

April 4th 2025, Toronto

BOOK NOW AND SAVE $200

Healthcare Communications Boot Camp 5

BOOK NOW AND SAVE $200

April 4th 2025, Toronto

About the Event

Healthcare Communications Boot Camp | April 4, 2024 | Toronto, Hyatt Regency

Get ready to transform your healthcare communication strategies at the Healthcare Communications Boot Camp in Toronto! This one-day event brings together industry-leading experts, innovative session topics, and hands-on workshops to provide you with the tools to drive measurable impact within your organization. From amplifying patient stories to navigating crisis recovery, this event will equip you to make a lasting difference in healthcare communications.

Why Attend?

  • Achieve Big Results with Small Teams: Learn how Chloe Politis, Director of Digital and Social Media at Mount Sinai Health System, leverages social media, prioritizes high-impact tasks, and utilizes creative tools to amplify messaging without overextending her team.
  • Enhance Content Governance in the Age of AI: Discover with Vicky Zeldin, Director of Strategic Communication at University Health Network, how AI tools like Microsoft Copilot are transforming healthcare communications. Learn strategies to ensure content accuracy, completeness, and currency while navigating the challenges of unvalidated AI information pools.
  • Harness Patient Stories for Brand Humanization: Discover with Mary Masson, Director of Public Relations at Michigan Medicine, how to ethically use patient stories to build emotional connections, foster trust, and enhance brand loyalty.
  • Revitalize Stagnant Campaigns: Join Ilana Ostrin, Head of Global Communications at PPTA, as she guides you through the revitalization of healthcare awareness campaigns, sharing a 2024 case study with actionable insights for boosting engagement.
  • Navigate the New Roles of Healthcare Communicators: Emma Murphy, Director of PR & Digital Media at William Osler Health System, unpacks the evolution of healthcare communication roles, focusing on the integration of storytelling, digital strategy, and brand building.
  • Maintain Predictability Amid Chaos: Join Sunni Hemingsen, Communications Director at Mayo Clinic, to explore how a scalable, standardized crisis response model ensures clarity and efficiency during unexpected challenges.
  • Reputation Recovery in Healthcare: Learn from Sally Stewart, Editor-in-Chief at Cedars-Sinai, about rebuilding a damaged reputation post-crisis, focusing on transparency, stakeholder engagement, and trust restoration.
  • Master Metrics for Impactful Campaigns: Colleen Moriarty from Yale School of Medicine will showcase effective metrics to gauge the success of healthcare campaigns, helping you adopt a data-driven approach that aligns with organizational goals.

Limited Seats Available: Don’t miss out on this chance to elevate your skills—super early-bird tickets are available now! Group discounts are offered, but spots are filling up quickly.

Only

116days

2hours

54min

UNTIL THE EVENT

Facts & Figures

  • Proven Success Across North America: With four successful editions in the U.S. and Canada, the Healthcare Communications Boot Camp has become the premier event for communicators to elevate their expertise and stay ahead in healthcare.
  • Focused on Practical Solutions: Every session is packed with actionable strategies and insights that can be implemented immediately, designed to help you achieve measurable results.
  • Over 500 healthcare communication professionals have attended, representing leading organizations like Quinte Health, Glengarry Memorial Hospital, Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA), Cornwall Community Hospital, New Brunswick Medical Society, Health Canada, Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit, Temiskaming Hospital, Brockville General Hospital, Sinai Health, Highmark Health, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Mayfield Brain & Spine, Hawkesbury and District General Hospital, CKHA, Georgian Bay General Hospital, HMMS, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, First Nations Health Authority, Horizon Health Network, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), DaVita Inc., American Heart Association, Doctors of BC, Holy Name Medical Center, The Society of Gynecologic Oncology, William Osler Health System, Keck Medicine of USC, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Providence Health Care, Jewish General Hospital, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Ontario Hospital Association, CBI Health, Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation, Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, Grand River Hospital, BC Patient Safety & Quality Council, and Texas Children's Hospital.

Speakers

Mary Masson Michigan Medicine

Chloe A. Politis Mount Sinai Health System

Sally Stewart Cedars-Sinai

Ilana Ostrin Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA)

Emma Murphy William Osler Health System

Colleen Moriarty Yale School of Medicine

Colleen Kincaid American Hospital Association

Andrey Kuzmichev, PhD Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health

Vicky Zeldin University Health Network

Sunni Hemingsen Mayo Clinic

Agenda

08.30

Registrations and Morning Coffee

09.20 

The Push for Positive Storytelling in a Polarized and Skeptical World
In a time of heightened polarization and skepticism, healthcare communicators must find space to share positive narratives that build trust and resonate authentically. This session will explore practical strategies to navigate these challenges, equipping communicators with tools to foster credibility and meaningful connection through impactful storytelling.
Colleen Wilber Kincaid, Vice President, Media Relations and Strategy, American Hospital Association

10.00 

Healthcare Storytelling: How to Use Patient Stories to Humanize Your Brand
In a world where data often dominates, authentic patient stories can create emotional connections that set your healthcare brand apart. This session will dive into the power of storytelling as a strategic tool for hospital communicators, teaching you how to craft and share compelling patient narratives that foster trust, build empathy, and enhance brand loyalty. Learn how to ethically balance patient privacy with impactful storytelling, ensuring your hospital’s message resonates while staying true to its mission of care.
Mary Masson, Director of Public Relations, Michigan Medicine

10.40 

How AI Changes the Need for Content Governance in Healthcare Comms
As AI continues to transform healthcare communications, content is increasingly recognized as data, bringing a heightened accountability to ensure it is accurate, complete, and current. Tools like Microsoft Copilot are being rapidly adopted to help organizations save time, but while there are technical boundaries around the pools of information these tools can draw from, there are no rules or validation processes to govern what goes into those pools. This session examines the implications of this shift and explores strategies for maintaining robust content governance in the age of AI.
Vicky Zeldin, Director, Strategic Communication, University Health Network

11.20 

Breathing New Life into Healthcare Campaigns: A 2024 Revitalization Case Study
Join Ilana, Head of Global Communications at the Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA), for an exclusive look at how to reignite interest in a healthcare awareness week that had lost its momentum. This session will walk you through the full revitalization journey—from creative ideation and strategic planning to overcoming challenges and driving successful execution. You’ll leave with actionable insights and practical strategies to refresh stagnant campaigns and reengage your target audience with renewed impact.
Ilana Ostrin, Head of Global Communications, Plasma Protein Ther

12.00

Lunch for Speakers and Delegates

13.00

From PR Managers to Content Creators: The Evolution of Healthcare Communication Roles
The role of healthcare communicators has shifted dramatically, evolving from traditional PR management to multifaceted content creation. In this session, explore how healthcare communication professionals are becoming storytellers, digital strategists, and brand builders all in one. Learn how to navigate the demands of modern communication, leverage multimedia platforms, and effectively engage audiences with creative, patient-centered content. Gain insights into how these evolving roles are shaping the future of hospital communications and enhancing organizational reputation.
Emma Murphy, Director, Public Relations & Digital Media, William Osler Health System

13.40

How to Achieve Maximum Results with a Small Team
In this insightful session, Chloe will share proven strategies for achieving big results in communication initiatives, even when working with a compact team. Discover how to leverage social media effectively, prioritize high-impact tasks, and harness creative tools to amplify your messaging without overextending your team. Whether you're looking to boost engagement, streamline processes, or scale your outreach, Chloe’s practical insights will provide you with the skills and inspiration to make every effort count.
Chloe Politis, Director, Digital and Social Media, Mount Sinai Health System

14.20 

Measuring Success: Effective Metrics for Healthcare Communication Campaigns
In an era where precision and measurable outcomes are crucial, healthcare communicators must go beyond traditional metrics to capture the full impact of their campaigns. This session will explore the most effective ways to measure the success of healthcare communication initiatives, from patient engagement and perception to stakeholder alignment and public awareness. Attendees will learn to identify KPIs that align with organizational goals, leverage data analytics, and interpret results to demonstrate ROI. Through real-world examples and innovative tools, this session will empower participants to adopt a metrics-driven approach that fosters trust, optimizes resources, and highlights the true value of strategic healthcare communications.
Colleen Moriarty, MS, Director, Media Relations & Audience Development, Yale School of Medicine

15.00

Networking and Refreshment Break

15.20 

Crisis Communications: Maintaining Predictability in Unplanned Situations
Crises may disrupt business operations and present unexpected challenges. A well-defined and often-practiced approach helps create efficiency and clarity in a company’s response. In this session, learn how Mayo Clinic’s Communications Department plans for crises, organizes its team and conducts training. The department implements a crisis response structure that is scalable and standardized across locations, similar to an Incident Command System. The model has helped guide the organization’s response to infectious disease situations, supply chain issues, utility outages and more.
Sunni Hemingsen, Communications Director, Mayo Clinic

16.00 

Reputation Recovery & Rebuilding: Steps and Strategies to Rebuild a Tarnished Reputation Post-crisis.
In this session, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the steps and strategies required to rebuild a damaged reputation following a crisis. The session will cover the importance of transparency, communication tactics, stakeholder engagement, and proactive measures to restore trust and credibility. Whether you're currently facing a reputational challenge or aiming to prepare for future crises, this session provides actionable guidance to navigate the journey toward reputation restoration effectively.
Sally Stewart, Editor-in-Chief, Newsroom, Associate Director, Media Relations, Communications, Cedars-Sinai

16.40

Communicating About Research in Healthcare and Academic Settings: Beyond a Scientific Article


Effective communication of research is essential in healthcare and academic settings, yet it often gets confined to the walls of scientific journals. This session explores innovative strategies to bring research to life, making it accessible, engaging, and relevant for diverse audiences. Learn how to craft impactful messages that resonate with patients, policymakers, and the public while maintaining scientific integrity. Discover how to leverage storytelling, digital tools, and media partnerships to bridge the gap between complex research and meaningful real-world applications. Walk away with actionable techniques to amplify your institution's research impact and connect with broader audiences.
Andrey Kuzmichev, PhD, Communications Director, Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health

17.20

End of Boot Camp

Our partners

Venue

Hyatt Regency Toronto, Toronto, Canada

Address: 370 King St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1J9, Canada
Phone: +1 416-343-1234

Discover the excitement of Downtown Toronto’s Entertainment District, just steps from the business and financial district and all that makes the city a vibrant destination. With easy access to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, you can also explore the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, Ontario Art Gallery, and Princess of Wales Theatre. Enjoy the fashionable shopping and dining scene within walking distance of our hotel. At the Hyatt Regency, you are immersed in the creative urban energy of Toronto.