Virtual Conference to Bring Top Health Care Communications Topics to the Desktop

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20091014006251/en

New England Society for Health Care Communications and MedTouch to offer full
day conference virtually
ROWLEY, Mass.--(Business Wire)--
The New England Society for Healthcare Communications (NESHCo) announced today
that it will hold a virtual conference to allow members of the health care
communications access to professional education without budgeting for travel.
The move comes as many hospitals and health care organizations are cutting
budgets during tough economic times.

For a low fee, participants receive a log in that allows for multiple people
from their organization to gather together and view the four-session educational
conference. NESHCo is partnering with MedTouch, a leading provider of
interactive, web-based solutions for health care organizations, to offer this
educational opportunity to health care communications professionals across the
country.

"NESHCo's board of directors came together to determine the hottest topics in
health care communications this fall," said NESHCo president Kevin McDonald.
"Our determination was that social media, search marketing, quality and
transparency were the key questions on people's minds. Plus we'll cap it off
with our finale session with information on making it all happen in the current
recession."

The conference will be held on Wednesday, October 28 from 9:15 am -3:30 pm.
Participants simply need a computer and a phone to access the sessions. Cost is
$59 per log in for NESHCo members and $79 per log in for non members.

Session Descriptions:
9:30-10:45 am The Convergence of Healthcare and Social Media

Moderator: Jim Rattray, Vice President of Marketing & Public Affairs, Southcoast Health System, New Bedford, Mass.

Panelists: Kel Kelly, CEO, Kel & Partners, Boston

Keith Fontaine, Vice President & Chief Communications Officer, The William W. Backus Hospital, Norwich, Conn.

Donald E. Martelli, Vice President & Director of Digital Communications, MS&L Worldwide, Boston

11:00 am-12:15 pm How Search Engines Continue to Transform Consumer Expectations

Speakers: Paul Arrington, Vice President of Business Development, St. Dominic's-Jackson Hospital

Matthew Dillingham, Vice President of Client Services and Strategy, MedTouch

12:45-2:00 pm The Quality Mantra in Health Care

Moderator: Kevin McDonald, NESHCo President

Speakers: Daniel Fell, Executive Vice President, Neathawk Dubuque & Packett, Chattanooga

Cynthia J. Schaal, Practice Manager, Marketing and Planning Leadership Council, The Advisory Board Company, Washington, D.C.

2:15-3:30 pm Marketing in Tough Economic Times

Moderator: Tom Link, Vice President of Marketing, Planning & Community Relations, Cheshire Medical Center, Keene, N.H.

Speakers: Dan Miers, Vice President, Business Strategy, SPM Advertising, Chicago

Deb Chiaravalloti, Vice President, Marketing & Public Relations, Anna Jaques Hospital, Newburyport, Mass.

NESHCo is also offering the opportunity to view the conference with a small
group of colleagues in two local areas to allow for networking opportunities. NH
Hospital Association, 125 Airport Rd., Concord, NH, 603-225-0900 or Southcoast
Health System, 101 Page Street, New Bedford, Mass., 508-961-5899.

To register, attendees should visit www.neshco.org. Registration email with log
in/dial in information will be sent one week prior to the conference.

About MedTouch

MedTouch makes healthcare interactive. Whether patient-focused web sites,
employee-focused Intranets, or online recruitment efforts, MedTouch combines
design, technology, and innovation through its software and professional
services practice. Clients include nationally-ranked academic medical centers,
community hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, health plans, and health
care-related not-for-profits.

About NESHCo

For four decades, NESHCo has served as the region`s premier professional
development organization for communication professionals working in the health
care industry. The Society is composed of nearly 300 members throughout New
England.

for NESHCo
Kelly Woodsum, 978-948-8600
Executive Director
kwoodsum@neshco.org

Copyright Business Wire 2009