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What do you do?
I direct media relations, government relations, civic community relations and executive communications for the University of Kansas Hospital. I also am a key liaison with University of Kansas officials.

Describe your company.
The University of Kansas Hospital is a unique five-year-old, 100-year-old organization with all the plusses and minuses of each description. The hospital has a long-standing record of 100 years of service to the Kansas City metropolitan region and the state of Kansas. The medical school side of the campus conducts more life science research than any institution in the region. The hospital was a dinosaur, losing money and patients until 1998, when it was split off from the University of Kansas and placed under an independent state authority, sort of a state-owned not-for-profit company. The hospital has had to find new ways of doing things and has been wildly successful. One of my challenges is that by affiliation agreement with the University of Kansas, my office supplies the basic media relations service for both the hospital and university sides of the campus.

How did you get your job?
The Medical Center had been a client of mine at Fleishman-Hillard for five years, when I was approached about working for the newly spun-off hospital in 2000. It meant less travel and provided new opportunities for me.

What makes you good at your job?

1. Writing ability.
2. Ongoing knowledge of news media trends.
3. Dedication to solving problems.

Best professional lesson learned at the J-School?
How to write quickly and succinctly.

What would be your best advice to current students?
There is no more critical and marketable skill than writing. No matter what medium is used, clear, coherent copy is at the core.

What are you currently working on?
We are planning the groundbreaking of a new heart hospital and the opening of an expanded outpatient cancer center. In addition, there is a great emphasis on life science research in Kansas City and the University has a lot of activity in new facilities and new programs.

What has been your greatest professional achievement?
For 11 years at Fleishman-Hillard, I provided crisis counseling to many companies and I am very proud of the work I did in that arena. On a personal/professional level, my greatest thrill was writing Jan Stenerud's Pro Football Hall of Fame induction speech.

What are your next career steps?
I want to continue to deliver results here. I have been on the corporate ladder and it was no fun to get knocked off. I am focusing on just getting my job done in the most effective manner possible.

What did you want to be as a kid?
I was going to be a major league baseball player, an Academy Award-winning actor and President of the United States. Now, I play catch with my kids, emcee hospital events and volunteer in political campaigns.