Ketchum's Nancy Hicks Honored with PRSA Health Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award

Ketchum's Nancy Hicks Honored with PRSA Health Academy's Lifetime Achievement
Award

Frank J. Weaver Award Recognizes 'Outstanding Contributions to the Field of
Health Care Public Relations' Through Hicks' 25-year Career

WASHINGTON, May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The Public Relations Society of America
(PRSA) and Ketchum today announced that Nancy Hicks has received the PRSA
Health Academy's Frank J. Weaver Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of
her 25 years of exemplary client work and leadership in health care public
relations.

The award has special significance for Hicks, senior vice president and
associate director of Ketchum's North American Healthcare Practice. Before
joining Ketchum, she served on the Health Academy's Board, where she
recommended the development of the Weaver Award and nominated its first
recipient.

"Nancy embodies all that should be prerequisite for a PRSA Health Academy
Lifetime Achievement Award: a curious intellect, a creative mind, a
collaborative style and a committed heart," wrote Dr. Claudia Morrissey,
president of the American Medical Women's Association, in recommending Hicks
for the award.

Over the course of Hicks's distinguished career, the past eight years of which
have been at Ketchum's Washington, D.C., office, she has launched landmark
campaigns, counseled industry CEOs, served on the boards of many nonprofit
organizations and published numerous articles. Among her many career
highlights:

-- She developed one of the nation's first campaigns on women and
heart disease, for which her client, the Washington Hospital Center,
won
a PRSA "Silver Anvil" award;
-- She conducted a national campaign on incontinence, in partnership with
the American Foundation for Urologic Disease, widely credited for
heightening awareness of this important health issue;
-- She worked with the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists
on
a diabetes awareness program that targeted at-risk minority
populations
and lowered the recommended screening age;

-- She co-authored the book "Branding Health Services: Defining
Yourself in the Marketplace," published in 2000 by Aspen Press.

Hicks currently is writing a book on health care public relations that will be
used as a professional reference book and college textbook.

PRSA presents the Lifetime Achievement Award annually to "an individual who,
during the course of his or her career, has made outstanding contributions to
the field of health care public relations and changed the practice of public
relations in America."

"This award is a true celebration of Nancy's career and a recognition of all
the strength, wisdom and dedication she has brought to the field of health
care PR," said Liz McLean, partner and director of Ketchum's Washington, D.C.,
office. "From launching the first agency patient advocacy group to her
development of groundbreaking communications programs in women's health, she
has proven her leadership abilities time and again. We are very lucky to have
her at Ketchum."

"Nancy is the consummate professional who puts her clients' needs before all
others," said Linda Eatherton, partner and director of Ketchum's Global Food &
Nutrition Practice. "She truly understands and practices the fine art of
service in a way few achieve. Her extensive knowledge and professional
experience in the health care industry helps her see 'around corners' and
quickly identify the deeper insights and opportunities that form truly great
programs and campaigns. We are so fortunate to have Nancy in our practice
leadership team. She sets a high bar for others to aspire to reach."

About the PRSA Health Academy
The PRSA Health Academy promotes excellence in communications and an
educational dialogue across the entire health care industry for the
professional enhancement of its members. Seeking to enhance the quality and
stature of health care public relations, the members of the Health Academy
represent a variety of health-care-related organizations including hospitals,
health systems, academic medical centers, pharmaceutical companies, public
relations agencies, device manufacturers, biotech companies, medical and
dental associations, health plans, managed care organizations, insurance
companies, long-term rehabilitation facilities, alternative and complementary
health organizations, health education and research organizations,
foundations, and government health units. The Health Academy offers its
members an opportunity to address the latest issues facing health care public
relations and the health care industry.

About Ketchum
A communications innovator, Ketchum ranks among the largest global public
relations agencies, operating in more than 50 countries. With five global
practices -- Brand Marketing, Corporate, Healthcare, Food & Nutrition, and
Technology -- and specialty capabilities that include Access Communications
(high- and consumer-tech PR), Concentric Communications (experiential
marketing, events and meetings), MMG (clinical trial recruitment), Ketchum
Global Research Network, Ketchum Sports and Entertainment Marketing, and
Stromberg Consulting (change management and workplace communications), Ketchum
leverages its marketing and corporate communication expertise to build brands
and reputations for clients. In 2009, Advertising Age named Ketchum to its
annual "Ones to Watch" Agency A-List, noting the agency's long-standing client
partnerships, digital and disruptive media expertise, and CSR and
sustainability programming. For more information on Ketchum, a unit of Omnicom
Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC), visit www.ketchum.com.

SOURCE Ketchum Public Relations

Robyn Massey, +1-646-935-3911, robyn.massey@ketchum.com, or Alicia Stetzer,
+1-646-935-3910, alicia.stetzer@ketchum.com, both of Ketchum