April 2016 Department Discovery: Community Relations

The April Department Discovery shines a light on the Campbell County Health Community Relations Department—or, what many refer to as Marketing.

The CCH Community Relations Department—a staff of four, including Director Karen Clarke—is responsible for all communications, marketing and public relations activities that increase the awareness of the health system's position and commitment to the health and wellbeing of the community. So, every blog, brochure, flyer/handout, newsletters (such as Health Matters for our community, and the Insider for our employees), newspaper, radio or website ad, and social media post has had someone from this team working on it. This team also manages media inquiries, public information officer (PIO) duties, coordinates facility signage, and operates and merchandises the Gift Shoppe at CCMH. This department also manages Volunteer Services program for the organization, which coordinates the involvement of more than 340 adult and youth volunteers, including interns and mentorships for high school students, job shadows for college students, and the onboarding for CCH advisory board members.

In September 2015, the Volunteer Services program received the Outstanding Auxiliary Award from the Wyoming Hospital Association. The program was recognized for the youth volunteer options such as the CCH Junior Volunteer Program, and the Mentor and Internship program in conjunction with Campbell County School District. The objective of CCH's Junior Volunteer Program is to expose young adults between the ages of 13-18 years old to healthcare professions and cultivate a spirit of volunteerism. CCH believes that this is the first professional work experience for most of these young adults and much like the adult program, the juniors are expected to complete an applications, participate in an interview, attend orientation, behave professionally, and abide by the corporate dress code including wearing a badge and uniform. This year, Junior Volunteer Program has openings for about 40 young people—applications are due by May 20 and the program runs from June 1-August 5. Learn more, and download an application, at www.cchwyo.org/volunteer.

The department is currently hard at work redesigning the organization's website, www.cchwyo.org. Earlier this year, community members who visited the website were prompted to take a quick, five-minute survey about the current site. The team also encouraged CCH staff, doctors and leadership to also provide feedback on the site. This information was used to help the team create a new website that will help patients find the healthcare information they are seeking in our community easier. In March, the team held its round of focus groups with community members to make sure the main (or home page) of the website is user-friendly. If the project continues to stay on track, the team will release the newly designed website in the summer—stay tuned!

For fun, the Community Relations Department is participating as a team in the CCH Well Life Squad's Lose 10 pounds in 10 months program, which began in February. This program, supported by Wellness, is encouraging CCH staff to make healthy changes in their lives. Every Tuesday and Thursday, they walk the stairs at CCMH (from the ground floor to above the Fifth Floor) four times and often participate in five-minute workouts together in their office to encourage one another to stay healthy.

A big round of applause to the Community Relations and Volunteer Services staff! Thank you for all that you do for keeping our community healthy.