Bristol Hospital

When an expansion at UConn’s John Dempsey Hospital in Farmington, CT was proposed, GBPR was enlisted by Bristol Hospitalas part of a coalition of Hartford-area hospitals to execute a crisis communications strategy. These hospitals faced serious adverse financial impacts if the expansion was granted by regulators, which would have, in turn, made delivery of care to patients more difficult and expensive. GBPR developed a plan to raise awareness and understanding among elected officials, the media, business and community leaders, healthcare providers and healthcare consumers of the resulting adverse consequences. Working with doctors and hospital executives to share key messaging, GBPR incorporated grassroots advocacy and media outreach to editorial boards and public affairs television shows. These tactics resulted in a decision from policymakers to not move forward with an expansion of John Dempsey Hospital, preserving access to care for large numbers of un- and underinsured patients and maintaining a responsible level of allocation of the state’s limited healthcare dollars.

Brittany Farms Health Center

Established in 1968, Brittany Farms Health Center is a state-of-the-art skilled nursing facility, known for its sub-acute rehabilitation services, Special Care Dementia Unit and Long-term Care Unit. Brittany Farms Health Center turned to GBPR to help proactively communicate the organization’s commitment to both patients and employees as they pursued the negotiation of a new contract with the 1199 healthcare workers union. GBPR developed a campaign that successfully highlighted to key stakeholders that negotiations were entered in good faith and the contract was fair to all employees, allowing the center to provide quality care to patients and remain financially viable.

Connecticut Children’s Medical Center

Connecticut Children’s Medical Center (Connecticut Children’s) is the largest pediatric, primary care facility between Boston and New York, providing nearly 15,000 children with services.   The medical center retained GBPR to conduct an audit of its communications program strategy, structure, audiences, messages, channels and tactics, and to provide insight on improving these components to advance the goals of the medical center and its foundation. GBPR conducted interviews with more than two dozen clinical and administrative staffers, board members, donors, peers, legislators and journalists, and reviewed market research and other materials. GBPR’s resulting assessment of the medical center’s status among its key constituencies helped to better position and align Connecticut Children’s communications strategy with its operational goals.

Hartford Hospital

When an expansion at UConn’s John Dempsey Hospital in Farmington, CT was proposed, GBPR was enlisted by Hartford Hospital as part of a coalition of Hartford-area hospitals to execute a crisis communications strategy. These hospitals faced serious adverse financial impacts if the expansion was granted by regulators, which would have, in turn, made delivery of care to patients more difficult and expensive. GBPR developed a plan to raise awareness and understanding among elected officials, the media, business and community leaders, healthcare providers and healthcare consumers of the resulting adverse consequences. Working with doctors and hospital executives to share key messaging, GBPR incorporated grassroots advocacy and media outreach to editorial boards and public affairs television shows. These tactics resulted in a decision from policymakers to not move forward with an expansion of John Dempsey Hospital, preserving access to care for large numbers of un- and underinsured patients and maintaining a responsible level of allocation of the state’s limited healthcare dollars.

Hospital for Special Care

The Hospital for Special Care is a private, not-for-profit, long-term, acute and chronic care hospital, known and respected for its expertise in physical rehabilitation, respiratory care and medically-complex pediatrics. The facility’s management team approached GBPR with the goal of raising awareness of the hospital’s expertise and exemplary care. To accomplish this, GBPR developed and executed a multi-faceted public relations campaign designed to educate elected officials, prospective donors, patients, families of patients and employees about the Hospital for Special Care’s position as one of the top long-term acute care hospitals in the country, and a destination regional health center. Specific components of the campaign included message and materials development, media outreach, coordination of facility tours for legislators and the media, and the promotion of speaking engagements for Hospital for Special Care executives.

The Hospital of Central Connecticut

When an expansion at UConn’s John Dempsey Hospital in Farmington, CT was proposed, GBPR was enlisted by Hospital of Central Connecticut as part of a coalition of Hartford-area hospitals to execute a crisis communications strategy. These hospitals faced serious adverse financial impacts if the expansion was granted by regulators, which would have, in turn, made delivery of care to patients more difficult and expensive. GBPR developed a plan to raise awareness and understanding among elected officials, the media, business and community leaders, healthcare providers and healthcare consumers of the resulting adverse consequences. Working with doctors and hospital executives to share key messaging, GBPR incorporated grassroots advocacy and media outreach to editorial boards and public affairs television shows. These tactics resulted in a decision from policymakers to not move forward with an expansion of John Dempsey Hospital, preserving access to care for large numbers of un- and underinsured patients and maintaining a responsible level of allocation of the state’s limited healthcare dollars.

International Hearing Society

The International Hearing Society (IHS) is an association of hearing healthcare professionals who provide hearing tests, fitting and dispensing of hearing instruments and patient counseling. IHS retained GBPR to help launch “Fit To Serve,” a grassroots campaign dedicated to improve access to hearing healthcare for America’s Veterans. Working with IHS leadership, GBPR developed a strategic communications plan to increase public awareness of the many concerns related to Veteran’s hearing healthcare. GBPR’s campaign entails the launch of a campaign web site, recruiting a nationwide network of grassroots supporters and creating media opportunities for IHS and Veterans’ advocates.

Middlesex Hospital

When an expansion at UConn’s John Dempsey Hospital in Farmington, CT was proposed, GBPR was enlisted by Middlesex Hospital as part of a coalition of Hartford-area hospitals to execute a crisis communications strategy. These hospitals faced serious adverse financial impacts if the expansion was granted by regulators, which would have, in turn, made delivery of care to patients more difficult and expensive. GBPR developed a plan to raise awareness and understanding among elected officials, the media, business and community leaders, healthcare providers and healthcare consumers of the resulting adverse consequences. Working with doctors and hospital executives to share key messaging, GBPR incorporated grassroots advocacy and media outreach to editorial boards and public affairs television shows. These tactics resulted in a decision from policymakers to not move forward with an expansion of John Dempsey Hospital, preserving access to care for large numbers of un- and underinsured patients and maintaining a responsible level of allocation of the state’s limited healthcare dollars.

Saint Francis Hospital

When an expansion at UConn’s John Dempsey Hospital in Farmington, CT was proposed, GBPR was enlisted by Saint Francis Hospitalas part of a coalition of Hartford-area hospitals to execute a crisis communications strategy. These hospitals faced serious adverse financial impacts if the expansion was granted by regulators, which would have, in turn, made delivery of care to patients more difficult and expensive. GBPR developed a plan to raise awareness and understanding among elected officials, the media, business and community leaders, healthcare providers and healthcare consumers of the resulting adverse consequences. Working with doctors and hospital executives to share key messaging, GBPR incorporated grassroots advocacy and media outreach to editorial boards and public affairs television shows. These tactics resulted in a decision from policymakers to not move forward with an expansion of John Dempsey Hospital, preserving access to care for large numbers of un- and underinsured patients and maintaining a responsible level of allocation of the state’s limited healthcare dollars.

TransCon Builders

TransCon Builders, based in Cleveland, OH, owns and operates high-quality nursing homes and assisted living communities in Wilton, Greenwich, New Milford, and Hamden, CT. TransCon’s communities offer beautiful residences and grounds, as well as leading healthcare and wellness programs. Working proactively with TransCon executives and senior staff, GBPR developed a crisis communications response manual – a resource designed to allow for timely, effective communications with TransCon’s key stakeholders in the event of a crisis at one of their communities. GBPR also conducted an audit to ascertain whether the company’s communications program advanced its operational goals. Following a review of TransCon’s messages and materials, GBPR worked with the company to identify target audiences and preferred communications channels, and to hone messaging as appropriate. Combined with information gathering from survey/market research, individual interviews and media research, GBPR provided TransCon with the counsel needed to successfully revamp its communications strategy.

Watermark Retirement Communities

Based out of Tucson, AZ, Watermark Retirement Communities owns and operates 26 senior living communities across the country, providing independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care. Watermark is dedicated to creating communities where its residents can continue to grow and thrive as they age. Representing Watermark’s Connecticut locations, GBPR regularly secures coverage in major daily newspapers, television and healthcare publications, highlighting community initiatives and programs, residents’ life stories and Watermark’s overall philosophy. In addition, GBPR has facilitated meetings for Watermark management with elected officials, business leaders and community organizations, providing additional forums to tell the Watermark story.

Yale-New Haven Hospital

Yale-New Haven Hospital is the primary teaching hospital for Yale School of Medicine, providing high-quality, cost-effective healthcare services and support, and acclaimed for its full-service cardiac care center. When an expansion of full-service cardiac care centers beyond the current network of providers was proposed by other local hospitals, GBPR helped Yale-New Haven Hospital communicate the negative impact this policy could have on both the industry and the quality of care delivered to patients. GBPR’s robust public relations campaign created a level of political, editorial and public opposition sufficient enough to limit the expansion.