THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 8, 1995 TAG: 9512060164
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: THUMBS UP
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER C. O'DONNELL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
When Chesapeake General Hospital was looking for someone to promote the hospital and its services, it turned to someone who knows Chesapeake well. Mindy L. Hughes, the new public relations coordinator for the hospital, spent several years in a similar position with the City of Chesapeake a few years ago.
Hughes stepped into her new position at the hospital just before Thanksgiving. Her office is sparse, the only decoration being a family photo of her husband, Paul, and their two children, Greg and Rachel.
``I haven't had time yet to organize my office space,'' she said. ``I've been spending time meeting the department heads and vice presidents and learning how we all work together.''
Hughes' responsibilities include writing and producing several hospital newsletters and newspapers including Vital Signs, the hospital's community newsletter, as well as overseeing hospital promotion and special events.
``It's my job to see that the community is aware of the many resources of the hospital. CGH has always had an emphasis on wellness and preventive care, and I think we'll continue to be a leader in that direction.''
Although Hughes spent the past two years working in the marketing department of the Virginia Marine Science Museum, she said the leap from a museum to a hospital isn't as big as some people might think.
``I think public relations is the same just about everywhere. It's just a matter of learning what your organization's needs are,'' she said.
Even though Hughes has no formal medical background, she said it's no mistake that she ended up working in a hospital.
``I think I've been a closet doctor for many years. I've always had an interest in medicine from a layman's perspective,'' said Hughes.
``I started my career as a reporter with the Kittanning Ledger-Times, a small newspaper northeast of Pittsburgh. One of the topics I covered was the hospital beat.''
To supplement what she already knows about medicine and how hospitals operate, Hughes reads medical novels and watches hospital shows on television, especially ``ER.''
``I'm in front of the television every Thursday night,'' she said. ``Although I admit I have no idea if the show is true-to-life or not.''
It has been more than two years since Hughes worked in Chesapeake.
``It's great to be back. I've come home. The city has grown so much,'' Hughes said, but added that she's excited about some of the changes.
``I was happy to see that they're putting a Barnes & Noble near Greenbrier Mall. If I have the time, I can just while away the hours there.''
Her goals for the upcoming year include establishing a priority list for her department, taking advantage of the Lifestyle Fitness Center at the hospital and, of course, spending time with her family.
``We're outdoors people, and now the children are old enough to enjoy hiking and going to the beach. So we try to take advantage of that when we can.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by JENNIFER O'DONNELL
Mindy Hughes is the new public relations coordinator for Chesapeake
General Hospital.
by CNB