Number of Years with SHSMD: 1

What initially drew you to the health care field?

My design career journey reflects a profound commitment to leveraging design and creative superpowers for good, implementing innovative strategies to educate, engage and inspire both academic and broader community audiences.

Can you share a defining moment or key experience that shaped your career path in this field?

As a novice designer, I realized the messaging I put out in this world has the power to influence and motivate others. I can choose to positively or negatively influence those who engage with my message. This was an extremely powerful a-ha moment for me and has guided my career path forward. I need to know the designs my team is putting out in the world awes, inspires and empowers our audience.

Which of your professional accomplishments are you most proud of, and why?

Prior to my current community-focused role as AVP of Brand & Creative Strategy at Morehouse School of Medicine, I dedicated significant time in academia with a focus on social impact design. From January 2022 to January 2024, I served as the Senior Executive Director of Design for Good at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), where I helped establish and lead SCAD SERVE, a community service design studio that applied innovative design thinking to address pressing social challenges such as food insecurity and environmental sustainability. My role encompassed cultivating a culture of 'design-for-good' across the university, ensuring the studio's creative solutions aligned with SCAD’s values and uplifted communities in need through elevated art and design. I am beyond proud of the elevated community-focused design for good solutions our students formulated and employed.

What skills or qualities do you believe have been most essential to your success in this profession?

Lead. Great leaders don’t tell you what to do, they show you how it’s done. Provide my team hands on mentorship and vision with a focus on brand, visual communication and strategy development and execution. Collaborate. I closely engage with and advocate for our business partners, interpret their objectives and formulate engaging solutions that contribute to our brand’s evolution and success. Collaboration is a vital ingredient to the team recipe. You will accomplish more with “we” than you even can with just “me.” Working as a team, we rely on each other’s strengths to help us solve the creative challenge. There will be moments when we listen and learn and others when we lead the creative charge. As creatives, we’re constantly adding skills to our creative tool kits. These collaborative moments help each of us to grow and become more effective communicators. Vision and Voice. Generate and drive innovative concepts that result in “WOW” moments that resonate with our audience. Communicate. High degree of authentic and effective communication skills to ensure the multiple facets of our organization connect and leverage each other’s strengths.

Has there been a mentor, colleague, or experience that has significantly influenced your career growth? How did they impact your journey?

My response centers on healthcare communication and celebrates the inspiring leadership of my team lead, Dorian Harriston, MSM’s Chief Marketing & Communications Officer. Dorian consistently shares her wealth of experience and cultivates a team culture rooted in creativity and mutual respect—one that empowers each of us to expand our creative toolboxes and visual communication reach. From the very first conversation during my initial interview, Dorian has served as an advocate for my personal design-for-good mission. Through her thoughtful guidance and support, she has not only shaped the way I contribute to our collective efforts at Morehouse School of Medicine, but also strengthened my ability to lead with clarity, impact and a deep sense of purpose. I’m inspired by the creative partnership we’ve cultivated!

What advice would you give to someone just starting their career in your field?

Keep fighting the good design fight! We’re the defenders of our brand’s visual voice and personality. Every interaction with a stakeholder or team member is our opportunity to make a connection and create an advocate who will support our collective commuity-focused cause. A collaborative partnership will build a stronger, unified community that extends beyond our product or service.

What do you think is one of the industry trends or innovations you think will have the biggest impact on your field in the next five years?

I’m framing my response around my team’s work to evolve and elevate our Morehouse School of Medicine brand. In the simplest of definitions, branding is how people feel about us and visual identity is how we look. The true essence of our brand lives in the beliefs, experiences and perceptions held by the communities we serve. Though logos, color palettes and typography (visual identity) are important expressions, they are technically surface-level reflections of something much deeper and emotional (brand). What excites me most is the opportunity to guide our brand’s evolution in a way that resonates deeply with the heart and spirit of our community—so they understand we are a trusted partner and unwavering advocate in their health journey.

What resources, connections, or opportunities provided by SHSMD have been most valuable to you?

Without question, the SHSMD Connections Conference offered me a valuable opportunity to connect, be inspired and deepen my knowledge—all in service of advancing how my team can support our stakeholders and the communities we serve.

How has your involvement with SHSMD contributed to your professional growth and success?

What first came to mind was the value of having access to a broad, sounding board—the opportunity to engage with fellow creatives innovating in the design-for-good space.

What’s one fun fact about yourself?

In addition to my love for graphic design and branding, health and fitness have been lifelong passions. During my time living in New York City, I worked as a personal fitness trainer—an experience that directly connects to how I guide and mentor the creative teams I work with today. In my creative work, I’m devoted to helping others communicate effectively through effective use of type and image. At the core of my design approach is a guiding question: How can I help you? I cherish the “me time” in the gym for it has become a form of personal therapy—a dedicated space where I focus solely on my own needs and goals. I ultimately find myself asking, how can I continue to better myself? In many ways, fitness serves as the yin to my design yang—providing balance that supports both my creativity and sense of self.

Number of Years with SHSMD: 2

What initially drew you to the health care field?

Even though I volunteered at the local hospital in high school, I didn’t get into health care until much later. Yet over the years I found myself increasingly drawn to the health care world. I’ve always been interested in how institutions and organizations work to serve human needs. And hospitals are among the most complex and yet purpose-driven systems out there. It’s fulfilling to be part of something so mission-driven and supportive of our frontlines.

Can you share a defining moment or key experience that shaped your career path in this field?

The most defining moment for me, among many pivots that brought me into the field, was when I was offered the chance to move into a strategy role. Even though I’d been working in a behind-the-scenes capacity before coming to strategy, it felt as if a whole new world opened to me. I began to see how decisions are shaped, how priorities are set, and how strategy connects to real people and outcomes.

Which of your professional accomplishments are you most proud of, and why?

Looking back at past accomplishments, I realize a theme, and so I’m most proud of the way I’ve been able to pivot and take on diverse projects and roles, building trust across different teams, learning new skills, taking on new perspectives. My experiences have given me the ability to bring clarity and structure to increasingly complex work.

What skills or qualities do you believe have been most essential to your success in this profession?

I’ve found that being able to work well with a wide range of people, in different roles and with different perspectives, has been one of the most important parts of this work. I often find myself in project spaces where I’m helping bridge across teams, clarify what’s needed, and keep things moving. I think that ability to build trust and translate across functions makes a big difference. I also tend to think in terms of how all the pieces fit together, not just what’s happening in one project, but how it connects to other parts of the system. That mindset has helped me stay grounded in the big picture, especially when things are moving fast or feel ambiguous.

Has there been a mentor, colleague, or experience that has significantly influenced your career growth? How did they impact your journey?

One moment that significantly impacted my health care career was when I had the chance to volunteer again at my local hospital, this time in a different city and years later. The volunteer coordinator was thrilled to hear that I knew how to work with websites and introduced me to the director of fundraising, who invited me to support his work. That opportunity gave me the foot in the door I needed. When a marketing position later opened in the health system’s publishing department, he recommended me, setting in motion the transition that ultimately brought me into health care full time.

What advice would you give to someone just starting their career in your field?

Always be learning. It’s cliché for a reason – because it’s true. Approaching each new role or project or team from a place of curiosity and openness to what you can learn is so valuable. It helps you see patterns you might not otherwise see. And in health care, there’s always something new to learn. Another thing that makes it so fulfilling.

What do you think is one of the industry trends or innovations you think will have the biggest impact on your field in the next five years?

I could easily point to AI and regulatory impacts among many trends or innovations, or consumer behavior or demographic changes, all of which will have significant impacts. But maybe that’s the bigger point, there won’t be just one defining trend. It will be the convergence of multiple forces, often unfolding unpredictably, that shapes the future of healthcare. In that sense, the real innovation isn’t just about responding to individual trends, it’s about building the capacity to prepare for multiple possible futures.

What resources, connections, or opportunities provided by SHSMD have been most valuable to you?

I love attending conferences, so I always look forward to the annual conference. It’s great for inspiration, staying current on trends, and being exposed to how other organizations work on strategy. It’s always energizing and has the big picture view I value.

How has your involvement with SHSMD contributed to your professional growth and success?

SHSMD has helped me feel more connected to the broader health care strategy landscape and sharpen my professional identity as a strategist. It has also helped me differentiate the health care work from the project management work I do and see how each lens brings something valuable to the other. SHSMD has helped me approach strategy more thoughtfully and project work more strategically.

What’s one fun fact about yourself?

I had a whole career in book publishing in Washington, DC before pivoting to healthcare. It’s given me a deep love for clarity, structure, and the Oxford comma.

What initially drew you to the health care field?
I’ve experienced health care not just as a professional, but as a patient and a parent. I’ve had a baby at this facility. I’ve held my breath next to my child’s bed in the ICU for four long days. Those moments stay with you. They gave me a deep respect for the people who show up every day to care for others. After more than a decade in education, I transitioned into health care marketing because I saw how critical it was to bridge the gap between clinical excellence and community connection, especially in rural areas like mine.

Can you share a defining moment or key experience that shaped your career path in this field?
When I first stepped into my role, our OB program was at a breaking point. We were facing the very real possibility of having to close its doors if we couldn’t turn things around. There was no big budget, no flashy agency. Just a deep belief that rural care matters—and a need to remind our community that it belongs to them. That challenge became the birthplace of our “Your Bump Belongs Here” campaign. We leaned hard into storytelling, visuals that felt human and hopeful, and messaging that spoke directly to the heart of our community. The result? We’re now projected to increase our annual birth count by 43—a 205% increase from the year prior. That experience taught me something I’ll never forget: being small is actually our superpower. Our size lets us stay close to the stories. Budgets don’t define us—connection does. When you hone in on your brand voice and anchor it in purpose, people respond. They remember. They trust. That campaign didn’t just save a program. It reshaped how I view this work, and what’s possible in rural health care.

Which of your professional accomplishments are you most proud of, and why?
As I enter into my second year of health care marketing, my proudest accomplishment has been earning the trust of both our staff and senior leadership. As a one-woman team, I’ve led employee recognition initiatives, morale-building events, and internal systems that reinforce who we are—not just as a facility, but as a team. That trust has translated into action: I’ve been appointed Team Captain for our internal awards and recognition program, asked to lead our Culture & Engagement Team, brought on a videographer to elevate our brand voice, and was entrusted with leading our upcoming website redesign. It’s not a framed certificate, but it’s a foundation. And I’m grateful every day for the trust that allows me to keep showing up and doing meaningful work.

What skills or qualities do you believe have been most essential to your success in this profession?
Storytelling, strategic thinking, and adaptability. In rural health care, resources are limited—but creativity and authenticity go a long way. I’ve learned to blend data with emotion, and strategy with heart.

Has there been a mentor, colleague, or experience that has significantly influenced your career growth? How did they impact your journey?
My boss, Anna, took a chance on me when she hired me. I didn’t come from a traditional health care marketing background—I had limited experience and an education-based career behind me. I wasn’t the “safe” choice on paper, but she saw something in me and gave me the space to grow into this role. She’s offered guidance when needed, but more importantly, she’s allowed me to fully be myself in it. For someone in marketing, having that level of creative freedom—and the trust and financial backing to bring big ideas to life—is rare. Her leadership has not only shaped my confidence but also set the tone for how I want to lead someday. More recently, I’ve also worked with a career coach who’s helped me define goals that allow me to sustain this momentum while still honoring personal priorities. That combination—external support and internal clarity—has been a game-changer for my growth.

What advice would you give to someone just starting their career in your field?
Don’t wait until you feel perfectly qualified—most of us are learning as we go. What matters most is being curious, staying humble, and listening more than you speak in the beginning. Find the people who will take a chance on you—and when they do, show up with everything you’ve got. Be bold enough to bring new ideas to the table, but grounded enough to know when to learn from the room. And finally, don’t underestimate the power of building trust. In health care marketing—especially in small or rural systems—relationships are everything. Earn that trust, and doors will open you didn’t even know were there.

What industry trends or innovations do you think will have the biggest impact in the next five years?
I think we’re going to see a major shift toward local, story-driven marketing—powered by AI efficiency. People don’t just want information—they want connection, clarity, and care. Especially in health care, where trust is everything, the brands that succeed will be the ones who show up authentically and consistently. AI and automation will help teams (especially small ones like mine) streamline content creation, data analysis, and campaign management—but the differentiator will always be the voice behind the message. The most impactful marketing will blend smart systems with deeply human storytelling.

What resources, connections, or opportunities provided by SHSMD have been most valuable to you?
The SHSMD network and annual conference have been game changers for me. I’ve met peers navigating similar challenges, learned from organizations both big and small, and walked away with ideas I could put into action immediately. It’s where I connected with our now-videographer, took workshops from a potential website vendor, and found inspiration that directly shaped my work. SHSMD has easily been one of the most valuable investments I’ve made in my career.

How has your involvement with SHSMD contributed to your professional growth and success?
SHSMD has played a pivotal role in my growth—especially as someone newer to health care marketing. It gave me a place to learn, connect, and gain confidence in my voice. From the conference to the community, SHSMD has offered practical tools and strategic insight I’ve been able to bring back and implement right away. One of the most meaningful parts of my involvement has been being selected to serve on the Education and Editorial Advisory Board. It’s been an incredible opportunity to contribute, learn from others, and help shape the conversations that are moving our field forward. SHSMD hasn’t just helped me grow—it’s helped me belong.

Fun Fact:
I own a small egg business called The Tipsy Hen House. Every carton is hand-packaged, we feature a chicken “Employee of the Month,” and all proceeds go toward renovating my maximalist, hot pink chicken coop. It’s equal parts farm-fresh and fabulous.

What initially drew you to the health care field?
I fell into health care at Optum through the technology side, actually, and found that I loved being able to make a difference in people's lives. As marketers, we can work in any industry, but being a mission-driven person, I am drawn to health care.

Can you share a defining moment or key experience that shaped your career path in this field?
I've worked on the payer, provider, pharmacy, health tech, startup, and consulting sides of health care. I think working for a provider, being closer to the actual patient, was the most impactful and rewarding for me.

Which of your professional accomplishments are you most proud of, and why?
I'm so proud of leading the brand development and launch of an iconic behavioral health care brand—Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.

What skills or qualities do you believe have been most essential to your success in this profession?
In health care and in marketing, being a collaborative leader is imperative. Marketing is truly a team sport and serves everyone in an organization, so listening to and valuing all available voices is essential for success.

Has there been a mentor, colleague, or experience that has significantly influenced your career growth? How did they impact your journey?
I have a longtime mentor named Theresa, who has been my sounding board and source of inspiration throughout my career. She encourages me to be true to myself, to my values, and to be authentic in my communication. It's been invaluable to have someone I trust and value when I have large decisions to make. I cannot recommend enough that everyone find and utilize a mentor.

What advice would you give to someone just starting their career in your field?
Marketers can work in any industry, but for those that are seeking purpose and meaning in their career in marketing, health care is a great choice.

What industry trends or innovations do you think will have the biggest impact in the next five years?
AI is going to have a massive and transformational impact on all professions, but particularly marketing. In health care marketing, we need the benefits of AI for things like personalization at scale, but we have to balance that with being authentic enough to build trust with health care consumers.

What resources, connections, or opportunities provided by SHSMD have been most valuable to you?
I am a huge fan of Futurescan. It's important for every marketer to keep up on trends in the industry, and Futurescan as a reference tool and the accompanying webcast has always been an imperative for me and my teams.

How has your involvement with SHSMD contributed to your professional growth and success?
I've participated in just about every way I can with SHSMD—from attending the annual conference to volunteering on a committee, writing articles and blogs, being a guest on the podcast, and speaking at the conference. I continue to learn from other members in SHSMD and will continue to give back where I can.

Fun Fact:
I speak Japanese, I lived in Japan for several years, and I continue to study the language!