Communications Affinity Group

May 21, 2012

Tamara RuggieroVice President, Communications and Marketing

American Kidney Fund and

Chair, Communications Affinity Group

© National Health Council

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Will take questions at end of each presentation

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Contact us at kgarrity@nhcouncil.org or 202-785-3910

Tamara Ruggiero

Matt DoBiasHealth Care Reporter, PoliticoPro

Questions & Answers

Matt DoBias

Kim RichardsonStrategic Experts Coordinator, WebMD

04/08/23 8

Raising Awareness and Reaching Patients on WebMD

Raising Awareness and Reaching Patients on WebMD

04/08/23 For Internal Use Only 9

“A Different Normal”“A Different Normal”

http://blogs.webmd.com/chronic-conditions

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Rising Above RestrictionsRising Above RestrictionsVision– Illuminate the reality– It’s about the people,

not the conditions– Create a collective voice

Opportunity– Reach audience– Personalize the

condition– Provide resources

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Rising Above RestrictionsRising Above RestrictionsVision– Illuminate the

reality– It’s about the

people, not the conditions

– Create a collective voice

Opportunity– Reach audience– Personalize the

condition– Provide resources– Raise visibility

04/08/23 For Internal Use Only 12

Organization ParticipationOrganization ParticipationPlan

– Organizations surface bloggers

– Bloggers create content– WebMD posts and

programs the content in appropriate areas

Participation – Ad-hoc posting– Flexible schedule– Responding to

comments is optional– Support from WebMD

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Participating OrganizationsParticipating OrganizationsThe ALS AssociationAmerican Association on Health and DisabilityAmerican Kidney FundCaringBridgeMesothelioma Applied Research FoundationNational Eczema AssociationNational Foundation for Ectodermal DysplasiasNational Marfan FoundationNational Psoriasis FoundationParent Project Muscular DystrophyPrevent Blindness AmericaSjögren’s Syndrome FoundationSociety of Nuclear Medicine

04/08/23 For Internal Use Only 14

Reader EngagementReader EngagementThis is my first time on this site an I am thrilled I have someone to vent to. Knowing you are not alone with this disease is a good feeling. Our problems are those that are difficult for other's to comprehend, thus, we don't look sick. - Debra Sue (comment on “Breaking the Silence”)

I love the above courage and inspirations you all have given me. It truly helps to talk to someone who also knows chronic pain. Believe me I pray a lot. -Julie (comment on “How to Find Smiles”)

What a help to realize there are other people out there who are dealing with chronic conditions. If we are not able to meet in person this can be our support group. What a miracle the Internet is. – Susan (comment on “A Balancing Act”)More topics like this should be in all doctor's offices, hospitals, and any health care facility. Anywhere it can be read by those who are so blind to those of us who suffer. We need to get our voices heard. Now not later. – mek53151 (comment on “Relationships and Invisible Illnesses”)

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Getting InvolvedGetting InvolvedContact WebMD (karichardson@webmd.net) Identify bloggers– Patients, doctors, administrators – whoever has a story to tell and is

dying to tell it

Brainstorm topics– Topics should be “big picture”, using the specifics of the condition to

frame and inform, but focusing the message on the impact of the condition not the condition itself

– Posts can mention (and link to) the organizations when appropriate, but should not be about the organization

Send post to WebMD for publishing– Posts should be 300-500 words– Written to 6th grade reading level– Also needs a headshot and bio of author (bio is 50-75 words)

Questions & Answers

Kim Richardson

Communications Affinity Group

May 21, 2012

Tamara RuggieroVice President, Communications and Marketing

American Kidney Fund and

Chair, Communications Affinity Group