Heather Renee Sessions

832-***-**** (cell)

ac70uu@r.postjobfree.com

Professional Experience:

Currently 17+ years of experience in healthcare communications/marketing

Freelance

April 2018 – present

Providing writing, editing, proofreading and resume writing/consulting services to clients

Hospital Corporation of America (acquired Houston Tenet Hospitals August 2017)

August 2017 – April 2018

Director, Public Relations & Marketing, Gulf Coast Division

Duties include:

Leading efforts in the concept, messaging, design and implementation of all marketing collateral including brochures, flyers, signage, banners, news releases, social media posts, etc.

Working closely with senior leadership in developing communications strategies

Writing speeches for CEO for internal and external initiatives

Managing product line content development in alignment with the Division’s brand message strategy

Leading efforts in development of all external communications collateral

Leading internal communications initiatives, including employee newsletters, events, and e-communications

Interviewing subjects, developing messaging, and writing stories for all publications including Connect to Purpose, a newsletter inspired by hurricane Harvey

Working with vendors to create collateral for paid advertising

Implementing rebranding initiatives for acquired hospitals

Developing messaging for external media initiatives, pitching stories for broadcast and print coverage

Leading and managing all events and community outreach efforts

Crisis communications team member for disasters

Tenet Healthcare

May 2016 - August 2017

Regional Marketing and Communications Manager, Houston Market

Duties include:

Developing and implementing creative marketing strategies and developing materials to highlight programs and services offered by all four Houston Tenet Hospitals including Cy-Fair Hospital (and its 6 offsite facilities), Houston Northwest Hospital, (and its 2 offsite facilities,) Park Plaza Hospital and Plaza Specialty Hospital

Writing and distributing all internal communications

Identifying advertising opportunities and managing all aspects of ads including design, messaging, production and coordination with vendors

Respond to inquiries and lead all media relations initiatives

Working closely with leadership to develop marketing materials for internal and external distribution

Spearhead coordination, staffing and implementation of all internal and external events to bring awareness to the hospital's services as identified in annual business plans

Conducting interviews/writing news stories and media advisories for distribution to external media

Pitching news stories, working with local media to promote key service lines

Managing marketing budgets for Cy-Fair, Houston Northwest, Park Plaza and Plaza Specialty Hospitals

Managing hospital Facebook pages

Tenet Healthcare - Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Hospital

February 2013- May 2016

Marketing and Communications Manager

Duties include:

Development of marketing materials for promotion and branding of existing facilities and key hospital services lines

Working closely with Physician Relations Managers to develop marketing materials for external distribution at events in the community and in physician offices

Managing 600K budget

Overseeing media relations

Identifying opportunities and allocating sponsorships with community organizations

Managing all social media pages and paid campaigns

Spearheading coordination, staffing and implementation of all internal and external events

Conducting interviews, pitching and writing news stories for distribution to external media

Editor of About Your Health Magazine and contributing writer for internal Tenet publications

Oversee all activities of 65+ active volunteers, including efforts to grow volunteer base such as fundraising

Harris Health System (Harris County Hospital District)

May 2008 - February 2013

PR/Media Relations Specialist II, Corporate Communications Office

Duties include:

Lead all media relations initiatives

Managing rebranding campaign for launch of new Hospital system name

Developing strategic communications and media plans, proactively pitching media stories, writing and distributing releases to media

Editor/Writer - Internal publications

Conducting interviews and producing written materials for Harris Health System facilities including Ben Taub Hospital, LBJ Hospital, Quentin Mease Hospital, 16 health centers and seven school-based clinics

Managing and writing communications messages for CEO, CMO, CFO, CNE Minutes and for intranet

Managing Facebook page - Submitting ideas, taking photos, posting status updates

Publications Manager/Editor

Employee of the Quarter newsletter (2008 - 2012)

The Beat (2009-2012)

ServiceFIRST program/newsletter (2008-2013)

The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center

February 2006 - May 2008, Communications Specialist, Public Education Office

Creating materials to promote M. D. Anderson’s community education and outreach programs

Developing educational messages to reach high-risk populations about cancer prevention, screening and treatment

Writing monthly electronic newsletter and web copy distributed to M. D. Anderson Ambassadors

Editor/Writer

Launching inaugural issue of Together, a newsletter geared to the minority community to inform about M. D. Anderson collaborations/research/clinical trails

Implementing Focused on Health, a newsletter designed to provide information on how to reduce cancer risk

Writing M. D. Anderson Health page for the Houston Defender

The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center

September 2002 - February 2006, Communications Specialist, External Media Relations

Writing science-based/feature press releases, advisories, PSA’s for local, national, and international media, including print, broadcast, radio and online outlets

Leading media charge for creation and distribution of materials relating to annual cancer rankings in U.S. News & World Report: Best Hospitals

Collaborating with gabbegroup, a New York-based PR firm to pitch stories targeted to New York media

Baylor College of Medicine

January 2001 - September 2002, Communications Specialist, Office of Public Affairs

Covering dermatology, family medicine, flu center, OB/GYN, ophthalmology, orthopedic surgery, otorhinolaryngology, pediatrics, sports medicine, physical therapy, surgery and urology

Coordinating local, national, international interviews with print, broadcast, radio and online media

Collaborating with management to relay key information to media outlets nationally in the wake of Tropical Storm Allison and September 11 terrorist attacks

Education:

Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism, minor in English, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, December 2000

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