Week Nine

Week 9: March 22, 23, 24 & 25

Hours: 27.75

Total Hours: 175.75

*TidalHealth therapy dog at HealthFest.*
*Photography by Olivia Ballmann*
Every week at TidalHealth, I feel like I’m doing so many different things—this was especially true during week nine. In one week, I wrote April’s Senior Program Newsletter, wrote health observances for socials media posts to be released the month of June, and helped set up and photograph TidalHealth HealthFest on Friday and Saturday. I decided to work through my spring break and part of my weekend, and I’m so glad I did. HealthFest was a huge networking opportunity for the community, especially medical professionals in the TidalHealth community. I made connections while taking photos for TidalHealth’s social media. Prior to the event, I helped my supervisor, Roger Follebout, set up the event, and I witnessed all the hard work that went into his preparation and planning. I also learned that event planning is such an important part of strategic communications because it’s how TidalHealth directly approaches the Salisbury community. As a medical organization, it’s vital community members see the hospital is actively involved to give patients reassurance that they are getting the best care.

Additionally, this week, I researched and interviewed Dr. Kerry Forrestal. He’s an ER doctor who recently published a book for cancer patients after they’ve been diagnosed. I’m quickly learning that one of the best parts of my internship is meeting new people, mostly medical professionals. In addition to their prestigious medical backgrounds, they all have so many stories. I also learned to use the WebEx recorder, so I didn't have to transcribe by hand, which saved a lot of time. Dr. Forrestal’s personal connection to cancer is inspiring him to write a series of cancer-help books, making them accessible to impacted populations, like veterans and firefighters. Interviews like this make me eager and excited for my future feature articles.

Sample work: I've attached my April Seniors Program Newsletter, June Health Observances for social media posts/ huddle notes, and my interview with Kerry Forrestal. The HealthFest photos I took for potential social media images are embedded as a gallery.