I celebrated a birthday this month. I am older than I have ever been before, and younger than I ever will be again. If I were a man, and President of the United States, I would be considered youthful. But I am neither, so let’s just say I am a “seasoned” healthcare marketing professional.
A Major Milestone
This year marks the 30th anniversary of my first job in healthcare marketing and public relations. Thirty years ago I stepped into the Community Relations Department of a Long Island h
ospital, as untested as a newborn, with zero knowledge of healthcare and little to no experience in public relations. I had just a handful of skills: I could type, I could write, and I was a quick learner. I was hired (my first big break!) as a secretary. I worked hard, and 11 years later left that job as assistant director of the department. Since then I have worked in healthcare marketing roles at almost every hospital and health network on Long Island.
It is not hyperbole to say that I could fill volumes with all I have learned about healthcare marketing over the past three decades; someday I might attempt it.
Not only have I expanded on the skill set that I brought to that first job, but I understand so much more about the business of healthcare, and about what drives decision making by all stakeholders in healthcare – patients, providers, administrators, payers, regulators, vendors, donors.
One More Milestone
In January I celebrated another milestone: one year in business for myself. My company, PrescRXptive Communications, Inc., was founded on the principle of bringing my decades of strategic communications experience to smaller entities within the healthcare arena, helping them tell their stories and connect with the audiences they need to reach. It has been another amazing adventure, filled with new professional relationships, personal and professional growth.
One of the most important things that I have learned is that the world and the healthcare marketing business change constantly. There will always be more to learn, and I’m still excited about the prospect of doing so.
While my age on this birthday doesn’t end in a 0 or a 5, I’m still celebrating. The path may not have taken me exactly where I expected to go, but I’m still enjoying the ride. How is your ride going? What can you celebrate?
