Canada
I combine a passion for writing compelling stories with an interest in mental health, health care and social justice issues and to do what I can to support changes in health care to better serve Indigenous people. Following an earlier career as an English language instructor and prior to that a mental health outreach worker, over the last fifteen years I have honed my professional communication skills in strategic communications planning, issues management, media relations, writing for print and web, event management, internal and external communication and stakeholder relations. I am incredibly grateful for all the guidance, advice, support and discussions from the Indigenous colleagues I've had over the past seven years that have furthered my understanding of cultural safety and humility and have helped me take a more decolonizing approach to communications and public affairs.
Provide strategic communications consultation and support to internal leadership as well as external population health portfolios focussing on engaging audiences to facilitate open dialogue and understanding of important health issues, challenges and opportunities. This includes taking communication plans from goal setting through to the implementation and evaluation using all channels available including radio, television, print and social media to deliver health information to improve the patient journey.
Managed all hospital related issues and proactive and reactive media requests, coordinated spokespeople and provided media training. Liaised with stakeholders, both internal and external, to develop a broad understanding of important issues, challenges and strategic directions being undertaken and to foster open dialogue between key stakeholders. Focus on writing on a wide range of communication materials including annual reports, key messages, employee memos and newsletter articles as well as news releases, articles, brochures, speeches and presentations.
Successfully led the implementation of the communication plan for the closure of Riverview Hospital liaising with hospital leadership, clinical managers, health authorities and Ministry of Health representatives as well as patients and families that ensured all parties were informed of developments in a timely manner.