News

by Nick Hanson, MHSCN board president-elect

We hope you enjoyed the “What’s the Future?” MHSCN fall conference in Rochester at the palace in the cornfield, a.k.a. Mayo Clinic. According to our survey results, the majority of people who attended did, so we hope that you're equally as excited about our upcoming webinars, learning sessions, becoming a member of the organization (if you are not), and coming to our upcoming networking events!

It was amazing and energizing to see communications and marketing professionals from Gillette Children’s, M Health Fairview, Mayo Clinic, HealthPartners, Allina, Children’s Minnesota, Hennepin Healthcare, CentraCare, Essentia, Medica, LifeSource, the Minnesota Department of Health, healthcare agencies, and many other healthcare organizations and hospital systems across the state gather to learn about industry best practice and trends, engage in networking, and have some fun. Kudos to the MHSCN Awards of Excellence recipients, which were announced at the conference. If you didn’t attend, we hope your colleagues' and other MSHCN members' testimonials will entice you to attend other events we have on the horizon.

Speaking of which, you should join us for the MHSCN end-of-year celebratory networking event at Pinstripes in Edina from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 14. There will be free food, drinks, bocce ball, and healthcare comms and marketing colleagues aplenty. Even better, it’s FREE! You can sign up here.

Also, MHSCN members should look for an email soon to vote on and (hopefully) approve our incoming president (Ginger Plumbo, Mayo Clinic), secretary (Kristen Spargo, seasoned healthcare pro and freelancer), and new board members Annelise Heitkamp (HealthPartners) and Jennifer Steingas (Allina).

Special thanks to 2022 President Cory Docken (08 Agency), and outgoing board members Emily Lowther (YMCA North, and formerly of Minnesota Hospital Association) and Stephane Holden (River’s Edge Hospital and Clinic) for their hard work and dedication to making MHSCN what it is.

Happy Holidays (already?!)!

MHSCN's 2022 fall conference provided a unique opportunity for attendees to join marketing and communications colleagues who can appreciate what health care industry professionals have faced in recent years for a look at what the future might hold. MHSCN members can view the conference slides.

Join us for What's the Future, MHSCN's 2022 fall conference. We'll gather on Monday, Oct. 10, in-person at the Hilton Rochester Mayo Clinic as well as virtually via livestream. 

In addition to seven speaker sessions and the MHSCN Awards of Excellence, conference activities include a private Mayo Clinic tour and a Sunday night social with hosted beverages and appetizers.

View our detailed conference agenda and speaker information.

by Cory Docken, MHSCN board president

Greetings MHSCN members,

I hope you have been enjoying Minnesota's beautiful weather. As I reflect on this past year, I find it hard to believe my MHSCN presidential term is half done. I am genuinely thankful for the opportunity to represent MHSCN followers and fellow board members as together, they are truly talented groups. I appreciate their commitment and contributions to improving healthcare communications, marketing, and public relations.

For the past two months, the focus has been on planning for the annual fall conference on Monday, Oct. 10, with this year's theme: "What's The Future"; let's face it, it's a crazy world out there.

Our annual fall conference has always tried to provide a chance to step away from the craziness with people who have similar insight into said craziness, especially in the past two and half years. The 2022 conference promises to offer the opportunity to learn and laugh with friends and colleagues, new and old, who appreciate the unique positions we hold in marketing, communications, and public relations. Hopefully, we can all figure out how to move forward in this new normal.

This year's venue is the Hilton - Rochester, located across from the renowned Mayo Clinic. Like in years past, there will be a pre-event social at Pittsburgh Blue, followed by the conference on Monday, wrapping up the day with a tour of the Mayo Clinic Campus.

I look forward to seeing you at the conference. Register today!

by Nick Hanson, MHSCN board president-elect

Networking is important for various reasons. It's fun to grab coffee, a drink, lunch or hop on the phone and swap stories with others in the industry trenches.

It can also be educational. It's beneficial to sharpen your skills at a conference, learn best practices from other professionals and organizations, and knock around ideas with peers in a virtual breakout session.

But, what's the most rewarding aspect of networking? (In my mind, anyway...) Advancing your career. Getting your next gig. Taking the next steps in your professional journey.

Since college, I have not received ONE job offer where I didn't know somebody working at my eventual place of employment, was given a great reference by someone in my network or had some sort of foot-in-the-door connection.

Have I ever had to apply for a job? Yes. Write a cover letter? Of course. We're communicators. Apply through the company website? Yes. The difference is that my resume and cover letter rose to top-of-the-stack position after I applied, instead of getting lost in the mix.

Two lessons to impart:

1) Don't burn bridges. It can be tough, especially if you're unhappy. On occasion, it will happen. Remember, it's a small world. You never know when you're going to cross paths with a former coworker, professional or peer. If you do leave on bad terms, or get in a conflict with a colleague, mend the relationship. It's worth the time and effort.

2) Network! Stay in touch with former colleagues. Go to conferences. Meet new people. Seek advice from those you respect and veterans in the field. Most important, join and participate in organizations such as MHSCN. We offer virtual and in-person opportunities to meet peers in healthcare communications and marketing. We have virtual and in-person educational events and conferences. And when you join, you instantly have access to a network of hundreds of people who work in healthcare communications and marketing.

We hope you are having a great summer and enjoying the three months of summer Minnesota has to offer.

The MHSCN Awards of Excellence have returned for 2022! The awards honor exceptional efforts in health care strategic planning, marketing, public relations and communications from the past year. Award applications are accepted through Aug. 26, 2022.

For more information on award categories and submission guidelines, visit our website.

The entry fee is $50 for the first submission and $25 for each additional submission from the same individual/team.

Awards will be presented at the MHSCN fall conference in October.

Save the date! MHSCN is excited to once again host its annual in-person conference on Monday, Oct. 10, at the Hilton Rochester Mayo Clinic. It will be a time for attendees to convene, network and learn.

The MHSCN Awards of Excellence will be presented at the fall conference. The awards honor exceptional efforts in health care strategic planning, marketing, public relations and communications from the past year. Award applications are accepted through Aug. 26, 2022. Learn more and apply.

We look forward to coming together this fall. Watch for registration and other conference updates soon.

Welcome to the newest member of the MHSCN board of directors!

The Minnesota Health Strategy and Communications Network (MHSCN) seeks to provide networking and educational opportunities designed to improve the professional skills of those in health care strategic planning, marketing, public relations and communications. MHSCN is seeking speakers for its annual in-person conference to be held at Hilton Rochester Mayo Clinic on Monday, October 10, 2022.

Speaker topics should be related to:

• Content development
• Monitoring/reputation management
• Marketing/PR environment, post-COVID-19
• Social media
• Customer/patient experience
• Diversity and equity in marketing
• Relationship building
• Communications
• Marketing/PR/leadership mindsets
• Marketing/PR/communications thinking and strategy

Are you an expert in any of the above areas? Join us as part of the speaker line-up for the fall conference!

Submit a proposal to Cory Docken, MHSCN president, by Monday, July 18. Be sure to include the following:

• How we can reach you (phone number, email address)
• Name, title, credentials and organization
• Audience for which your presentation would be most suitable
• Session type (keynote, panel, roundtable discussions)
• Presentation title, brief description and at least three key takeaways
• High-resolution professional headshot
• Presentation length (maximum is 45 minutes)
• AV equipment required for presentation
• Resume or CV including past speaking engagements
• One professional reference

If selected, speakers will need to provide an outline and electronic version of any handouts and presentation to review at least 2 weeks prior to October 10, 2022.

Speakers receive the following perks:

• Free conference registration including meals and snacks during the conference session ($200 value)
• Presentation published on social media and website
• Valuable networking opportunities with peers and those in like industries

Please note that lodging, transportation and meals (other than meals and snacks during the conference session) will not be provided by MHSCN. Discounted lodging options will be available.

By submitting a proposal, you are agreeing to waive your right to be reimbursed by MHSCN for any speaker fees and for any speaker travel expenses that may be incurred. MHSCN does not guarantee any submitted proposal will be selected for the conference.

by Nick Hanson, MHSCN board president-elect

Two years. It’s been a little more than two years since the COVID-19 pandemic changed the world. It goes far beyond vaccinations, public health safety measures, masking and seeing our loved ones suffer from COVID-19 – in the short term, long term and (sadly for some) losing friends and family.

We’ve seen a fundamental change in how we work. Many would have never predicted that a large portion of the workforce would be able to function at a high level via Zoom, Teams, phone calls and texts – all while wearing sweatpants and a ballcap. For those of us in the healthcare communications and marketing world, we have been operating in crisis mode while hospitals filled with patients, work demands rose exponentially and we were forced to massage messaging that changed on a daily basis. While we’ve adapted to this new work style, that doesn’t mean all is right.

If you’re a part of the Minnesota Health Strategy and Communications Network (MHSCN), you undoubtedly care – A LOT – about your career. Good for you, and we’re glad you are a part of this organization. But, we care about you and know that you can’t continue to operate like this.

For now, gone are the days of water cooler talk, grace periods between meetings, walking down the hall to engage a colleague about a project or lunch and happy hours to truly get to know our coworkers on a personal level. Humans are social beings who are not meant to operate from home in isolation away from their peers (introverts, feel free to disagree, but even the interactions I’ve had with my introverted peers over nearly 20 years would not be possible via Zoom).

So, where am I going with this? If you’re struggling at work or at home, you’re not alone. It doesn’t matter who you are, what your personality type is or how successful you are. Sometimes okay is fine. Be kind to others. Take care of yourself, and if you aren’t able to get out of your funk, seek professional help.

For most of my life, work has been a big definition of my character. That’s still true, but my perspective has changed. It’s more important to make it to your nieces' and nephews' basketball games and dance recitals than log a few more hours at work. It’s probably better to read your kids books at night or take a trip to the playground than answer a few extra emails. When you get a call or email at 9 p.m., it’s okay to ignore it and continue watching your favorite show. The “crisis” can wait until the morning. Let’s afford our colleagues that same grace.

As we turn towards the endemic and begin to return to a new normal, let’s remember that when all is said and done, most of us are not remembered by our career. It’s who you are as a person. Yes, work is fulfilling, and many of us are energized by our careers. It's only one aspect of our lives.

That said (a little hypocritically), we have a great lineup of virtual sessions, networking opportunities and an excellent in-person fall conference on the horizon. We appreciate you. More importantly, we hope you are giving yourself and your peers some grace during this evolving and difficult time.