Dobies Health Marketing News Archives

Dobies Health Marketing Named Healthy KC Company for Third Straight Year

KANSAS CITY, Mo – For the third consecutive year, Dobies Health Marketing has earned certification as a Healthy KC company for excellence in workplace wellness.

The Kansas City-based healthcare marketing firm received Gold honors in 2018. This recognition comes from the Healthy KC Workplace Wellness initiative, a program created in 2014 by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City and other regional health and wellness leaders.

The Healthy KC program assesses the steps a company takes to support health and wellness across five Pillars of Health: nutrition, physical activity, tobacco cessation, work-life integration and design-build environment. Workplace wellness at Dobies Health Marketing includes exercise bikes, standing work areas, balance balls, and a special space dedicated to letting employees share articles, infographics and other communications with healthy lifestyle tips. Walking and standing meetings are encouraged, and the company hosts quarterly lunch-and-learns to provide expert guidance on such topics as nutrition, exercise, meditation and work-life integration.

Dobies Health Marketing also launched a “green” paper-saving initiative in the workplace in 2017. While it has long been customary for their employees to recycle paper, the new initiative is about lowering paper usage overall by encouraging use of employees’ portable laptops at internal meetings (versus bringing printouts and taking notes on paper), and to print double-sided whenever possible. From January through June 2018, the company reduced its paper use by 17 percent—including a 43 percent reduction in color copies—compared to the same period in 2017.

“Contributing to a healthy environment, both inside and outside the office, is very important to our employees,” said Carol Dobies, Founder and CEO, adding that the company’s mission is to inspire better health decisions locally, nationally and even globally. “We are honored to be recognized for promoting workplace wellness while doing our part to protect the environment.”

In addition to promoting health and wellness within its office, Dobies Health Marketing also brings its healthy culture into the community through its Apple a Day program.

About Dobies Health Marketing

Since 1992, Dobies Health Marketing has offered highly specialized expertise in healthcare marketing strategy, branding and creative communications. The Kansas City-based company combines strategic thinking with creative communication to create healthier brands across the entire healthcare industry, from hospitals, health systems, physician groups, and payers to medical device manufacturers and distributors, pharmaceutical firms, associations, certifying boards and more.

Dobies Health Marketing Launches Division Focused on Advancing Rural Health

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Dobies Health Marketing, a strategy-first healthcare marketing firm, has launched dhmstudio+, a new division focused exclusively on the unique marketing needs of rural and critical access hospitals.

To keep pace in an evolving healthcare industry, rural hospitals and clinics must focus on improving patient experiences, delivering better outcomes and optimizing revenue opportunities. Future sustainability also requires greater emphasis on keeping people healthy, as opposed to the traditional focus on treating illness and injury. However, most rural hospitals and clinics face significant roadblocks along this path, including restricted budgets, limited internal resources and even provider shortages that limit the access they provide.

That’s where dhmstudio+ comes in, say the leaders of Dobies Health Marketing, who developed the new service line to scale the firm’s advanced healthcare marketing strategy and branding expertise to meet the unique needs and address the unique challenges of rural providers.

“Our healthcare marketing experts understand the shifting healthcare landscape, and within it, we see new opportunities to create healthier communities,” explains Julie Amor, president and chief strategy officer for Dobies Health Marketing. She says rural hospital leaders can create long-term sustainability by engaging people with innovative programs and partnerships that keep quality healthcare local. dhmstudio+ is designed to inform and support such efforts.

Services, which range from strategic guidance to creative advertising with many offerings in between, are provided at a flat-rate fee to accommodate each client’s fixed monthly budgeting needs. “With dhmstudio+, rural hospitals have affordable access to our healthcare marketing team,” says Amor. “It’s like having their own fully staffed marketing department, but at a much lower cost.”

Carol Dobies, founder and chief executive officer, says dhmstudio+ aligns with the firm’s mission of combining strategic marketing and creative communication to create healthier brands – and to make a difference in how people think about health. “We are passionate about the essential role rural providers play in creating healthier communities,” says Dobies. “The same strategy-first healthcare marketing expertise we provide to large health system clients is now available to rural providers with limited resources, and we are committed to supporting their needs.”

To take a more in-depth exploration, read this client success story. For more information about dhmstudio+ or the complete scope of healthcare marketing, branding, advertising and PR services provided by Dobies Health Marketing, call 816.595.6723.

About Dobies Health Marketing

Since 1992, Dobies Health Marketing has offered highly specialized expertise in healthcare marketing strategy, branding and creative campaigns. The Kansas City-based company serves the marketing needs of the entire healthcare industry, from hospitals, health systems and payers to medical device manufacturers, associations, certifying boards and others.

Adam Lee Joins Dobies Health Marketing as Client Services Manager

August 15, 2018/in Dobies Health Marketing News, Inside Dobies Health Marketing/by Dobies Health Marketing

Adam Lee, Client Services Manager

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Dobies Health Marketing, a healthcare-specialized marketing, branding and advertising firm, has hired Adam Lee as its new Client Services Manager.

In this role, Lee works with clients to ensure the on-time, on-budget execution of deliverables, including marketing, branding and advertising initiatives that align with the firm’s strategy-first approach. Lee brings more than a decade of healthcare marketing and communications experience to the team, including the planning and execution of integrated marketing campaigns, public relations and social media for healthcare corporations, agencies and associations. His specialized skillset and expertise will undoubtedly enhance brand, marketing and advertising initiatives for clients of Dobies Health Marketing.

“Adam’s extensive background in healthcare communications, coupled with his agency and client service experience, will greatly benefit the organizations we serve,” said Thom Ludtke, Vice President of Creative & Client Services. “His role will further enhance our team’s ability to provide the highest standard of strategic thinking and creative communications for healthier brands.”

Lee’s professional background includes proven success in strategic communications for such organizations as Cerner Corporation, greyhealth group and the American Academy of Family Physicians, among others. He says he is excited to become part of the team of experts at Dobies Health Marketing.

“I’m grateful for this opportunity to work with a healthcare marketing firm founded on strategy—something I thrive in,” said Lee. “I’m excited to apply my talents in marketing, communication, project management and strategic planning to elevate our clients’ brands.”

About Dobies Health Marketing

Since 1992, Dobies Health Marketing has offered highly specialized expertise in healthcare marketing strategy, branding and creative communications. The Kansas City-based company serves the marketing and branding needs of the entire healthcare industry, from hospitals, health systems and payers to medical device manufacturers, associations and certifying boards.

Dobies Health Marketing Welcomes Additional Expertise in Creative and Client Services

November 6, 2017/in Dobies Health Marketing News/by Dobies Health Marketing

Tara Grassie, Client Services Manager Anne Bracker, Creative Services Manager

Left: Anne Bracker, Creative Services Manager
Right: Tara Grassie, Client Services Manager

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Dobies Health Marketing, a healthcare-specialized marketing, branding and advertising firm, deepened its expertise with the addition of two very talented marketing professionals: Tara Grassie (client services) and Anne Bracker (creative services).

“Tara and Anne bring the right experience, skills and talents to deliver the seamless service and powerful results our clients expect and deserve,” said Thom Ludtke, Vice President of Client Services. “Together as a team, we will further enhance the unique blend of strategic thinking and creative communications that has been at the core of our company for 25 years and counting.”

As Client Services Manager, Tara Grassie works with clients and internal teams to ensure on-time, on-budget execution for all marketing, branding and advertising initiatives. Tara has worked in healthcare marketing since 2013. At Nueterra Capital, she excelled at developing and implementing strategies and tactics for public relations and integrated marketing campaigns.

As Creative Services Manager, Anne Bracker provides creative direction and manages design, development and production of marketing and advertising campaigns. Her extensive experience includes art direction, graphic design and production design across a wide range of media for companies of all sizes. Most recently, she was Production Designer at Hallmark, where she collaborated with art directors and team members to achieve the company’s creative vision and standards. Anne will work closely with Shelly Searles, the company’s lead graphic designer.

Welcoming Tara and Anne to the team is the latest in a series of developments that mark continued growth for Dobies Health Marketing as it celebrates its 25th year. Earlier in 2017, the company added a strategic marketing manager and new writing talent to its ranks, and launched its own unique community give-back program called Apple a Day. In September, the company announced the appointment of Julie Amor as company president in addition to her role as chief strategy officer.

“It’s exciting to join a healthy, growing company like Dobies Health Marketing,” said Tara, adding that the mission of improving the way people think about health is a great source of inspiration.

Anne agrees: “I knew from the start this was an opportunity I wanted to pursue,” she said. “Being able to apply my visual communication skills in ways that connect people to better health is very rewarding.”

Tara, Anne and the rest of the Dobies Health Marketing team can be reached at 816.753.3336.

About Dobies Health Marketing

Since 1992, Dobies Health Marketing has offered highly specialized expertise in healthcare marketing strategy, branding and creative communications. Our Kansas City-based company serves the marketing and branding needs of the entire healthcare industry, from hospitals, health systems and payers to medical device manufacturers, associations and certifying boards. Together, we combine strategic marketing with creative communications to create healthier brands.

Dobies Health Marketing Achieves Healthy KC Company Certification Again in 2017

October 9, 2017/in Dobies Health Marketing News, Inside Dobies Health Marketing/by Dobies Health Marketing

KANSAS CITY, Mo – Dobies Health Marketing, a healthcare marketing firm located in downtown Kansas City, has been certified as a Healthy KC Company for the second consecutive year. This recognition comes from the Healthy KC Workplace Wellness initiative, a program created in 2014 by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City and other regional health and wellness leaders.

“We are very proud to be among the growing number of local companies who are making workplace wellness a priority,” said Julie Amor, President and Chief Strategy Officer at Dobies Health Marketing, adding that the company’s mission is to inspire better health decisions locally, nationally and even globally. “That health-positive philosophy is deeply embedded in every aspect of our work and highly embraced in our culture.”

Thank you to @WeAreHealthyKC & 200+ local companies creating a #CultureOfHealth in Kansas City. Share on X

In addition to the traditional furnishings one expects to see in any workplace, the offices at Dobies Health Marketing include exercise bikes, standing work areas, balance balls, and a special space dedicated to letting employees share articles, infographics and other communications with healthy lifestyle tips. Walking meetings are encouraged, and the company regularly hosts lunch-and-learns to provide expert guidance on such topics as nutrition and work-life integration.

Amor says the company is continuously adding to its workplace wellness initiative with a goal of more comprehensively – and creatively – supporting employee health and wellness. Earlier this year, the company launched its Apple a Day program, which provides opportunities for employees to inspire healthier eating habits in others by giving apples and nutritional information to students at local schools.

The KC Chamber reports that the number of Healthy KC Certified companies has nearly doubled since 2015. “We applaud the Healthy KC Commission for engaging local companies in finding ways to create a healthier workforce,” said Amor. “It is so exciting to see how the program has grown, and it is truly an honor to contribute to a culture of health and wellness that is coming to life across Greater Kansas City.”

About Dobies Health Marketing

Dobies Health Marketing Strengthens Strategy-First Approach with Appointment of New President

September 27, 2017/in Dobies Health Marketing News, Inside Dobies Health Marketing/by Dobies Health Marketing

Julie Amor, MHA, President & Chief Strategy Officer of
Dobies Health Marketing

As Dobies Health Marketing celebrates its 25th year, the healthcare marketing and branding company, led by Founder and Chief Executive Officer Carol Dobies, has named Julie Amor, MHA, as President. Amor’s appointment further elevates the firm’s ability to deliver market-leading strategies and measurable results to its clients.

In her new role, Amor will implement corporate growth strategies, manage work force strategies, expand firm offerings, enhance the company’s social purpose initiatives and oversee corporate policies. In addition, she will continue her role as Chief Strategy Officer, working directly with clients to develop competitive marketing and positioning strategies.

As CEO, Dobies continues to lead the Kansas City-based organization, known for its unique, strategy-first approach to healthcare marketing, branding and advertising. Completing the company’s executive leadership team is Thom Ludtke, who joined the company in 2014 and continues to serve as Vice President of Client Services.

“With the rapidly changing healthcare landscape, the timing was right to divide my responsibilities as president and chief executive officer,” said Dobies. “Since joining Dobies Health Marketing three years ago, Julie’s influence on the culture and direction of the firm has been very positive. I am confident she will translate her unwavering commitment to our mission and vision into strategic growth for the company for years to come.”

Amor has more than 25 years of experience in healthcare strategy, marketing, branding and operations. Prior to Dobies Health Marketing, she was Vice President, Marketing and Corporate Communication, at The University of Kansas Hospital (now the University of Kansas Health System). There, she led the transformation of the hospital’s identity and established its market-leading brand position, and she was also responsible for strategic and operational execution of the hospital’s corporate communication, internal branding, affiliation-related integration and employee engagement. Amor earned her Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) degree from Park University after completing her bachelor’s in Marketing Communications from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Before KU, Amor was with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City. Additionally, her commitment to the community is exemplified by her role as Chair of the Nominating Committee, Board of Directors, for Kansas City Public Television (KCPT) since 2009.

When asked about her new appointment, Amor said:

“I have dedicated my career to authentic marketing communication as a cornerstone of corporate strategy. I am honored to now serve as President of Dobies Health Marketing to develop and expand our corporate growth strategy as a nationally recognized healthcare marketing, branding and advertising firm. As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, the need to combine an aligned, shared vision with highly strategic thinking is a critical differentiator, not only to our success and sustainability, but for the success of our clients. I enthusiastically embrace the opportunity to further develop and execute toward the company’s vision of creating healthier brands across the healthcare industry.”

About Dobies Health Marketing

#ThrowbackThursday: A Look Back at 25 Years in Healthcare Marketing & Branding

September 21, 2017/in Dobies Health Marketing News, Inside Dobies Health Marketing/by Carol Dobies, MBA

If you know me personally, then my enthusiasm for a ubiquitous trend like #ThrowbackThursday may seem out of character – but, then again, this is no ordinary Thursday. Later today, my team and I will graciously welcome many guests to our 25th anniversary celebration here at Dobies Health Marketing.

As a company, we have been creating healthier brands for 25 years and counting. It has been an amazing journey so far, one we are very eager to continue because we know the best is yet to come. Right now, healthcare is filled with extraordinary potential. An industry long known for slow change is now on the cusp of rapid reinvention. As the centuries-old paradigm of sick care transforms into lifecare, industry leaders everywhere are taking action to create healthier populations – making it their mission to keep people healthy rather than just being there to treat them when they’re sick.

So, as I reflect on 25 years of doing what I love – what WE ALL love – today marks the ultimate Throwback Thursday. I’ve learned a lot over the years, and it’s striking to me how many lessons from a quarter-century ago are still relevant today, and how many are not.

For example, 25 years ago, the notion of publishing quality ratings was just getting started. Marketing was still viewed as a department like any other, and social media, of course, did not exist. Company culture was rarely discussed in the same sentence as brand and, perhaps most notably, it was unheard of to create a healthcare business model with consumers at the center of all strategic decisions and planning. Today, this approach, while fledgling, is taking hold across the industry – from rural critical access hospitals and local community health plans to large academic medical centers and national carriers. Even B2B companies and non-provider healthcare entities place a greater focus now on keeping people healthy, as they look to acquire new companies and partnerships that extend their brand promises in ways that make the most meaningful impact on the greatest number of lives.

Today, we work with clients all across the healthcare spectrum on these and many other strategies to help them revitalize their brands, amplify their share of voice and become market leaders. We have a formalized corporate social engagement strategy and encourage our clients to adopt a social purpose of their own. And through it all, we have championed our unique “strategy-first” approach to healthcare marketing and branding because that’s our superpower. We come to work every day to make a difference in how people think about health – that’s been our top driver every single day…for 25 years and counting.

On a personal note, I’d like to express my deepfelt thanks to all the clients, vendors, partners, employees, associates, freelancers and others I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the years. I hope to see all of you at the celebration later today.

About the Author

Carol Dobies is the CEO and Founder of Dobies Health Marketing, where she has been bringing healthcare brands to life for 25 years. Share your thoughts with her by tweeting @DobiesGroup or commenting on our Facebook page.

The Rise of Consumerism in Healthcare Calls for a New Strategic Platform

June 19, 2017/in Dobies Health Marketing News, Healthcare Industry Trends, Lifecare/by Dobies Health Marketing

New Executive Briefing Explores the “Lifecare Model” for Health Systems and Health Plans

Kansas City, Mo. – June 20, 2017 – In a merging of the minds between strategy experts for health systems and health plans, Dobies Health Marketing and HealthScape Advisors have co-authored a white paper called, “The Emerging Lifecare Model: How Consumerism is Driving Industry Collaboration Toward Health and Lifecare as a New Strategic Platform.”

The paper, which was released today, outlines four broad shifts in the rapidly evolving U.S. healthcare industry and discusses how these changes will lead to demand for a new model of care, which the authors call “lifecare.” In this innovative model, consumers and suppliers of comprehensive health services form collaborative partnerships – with each other and with other community-based organizations – to meet the continuum of consumer needs related to staying healthy over time, thereby creating healthier populations.

It is a platform strategy for healthcare – a seamless, single domain for consumers to access services across an intricately connected ecosystem of organizations that play a role in promoting physical, emotional/behavioral and even spiritual health. The paper’s authors suggest the collaborative lifecare platform strategy not only represents an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on individual and population health, it also paves the way for future success in today’s increasingly consumer-driven healthcare industry.

“Engaging people in their desire to remain healthy – beyond just treating them when they are not – is the newest requirement for sustainability,” said Julie Amor, Chief Strategy Officer at Dobies Health Marketing. “Lifecare is about inspiring and supporting decisions that encourage healthy lives, which means the focus on health must put the consumer at the center, and extend far beyond traditional healthcare delivery and financing systems.”

From a consumer perspective, lifecare engages those with chronic and acute needs, as well as those who are healthy yet desire engagement to maintain a healthy lifestyle. From a supplier perspective, it engages traditional providers that represent services typically included in employer medical benefits, as well as those that provide services outside of typical medical benefits but cater to the growing demand of consumerism.

Going forward, leaders at Dobies Health Marketing and HealthScape Advisors say companies must overcome the mindset that views organizations with similar missions as competitors to instead become collaborators, joining together on behalf of the consumer to provide community-based health and life services.

“Embracing a lifecare-centric model provides the opportunity for organizations to redefine their engagement model with consumers to create long-term sustainability,” said Arjun Aggarwal, Managing Partner at HealthScape Advisors.

The paper is available to download at dobies.com/lifecare.

About Dobies Health Marketing

Since 1992, Dobies Health Marketing has offered highly specialized expertise in healthcare marketing strategy, branding and creative communications. The Kansas City-based company combines strategic marketing with creative communications to build healthier brands across the entire healthcare industry, from hospitals, health systems and payers to medical device manufacturers, associations and certifying boards.

About HealthScape Advisors

HealthScape Advisors is a nationally recognized healthcare consulting enterprise specializing in bringing strategic actions and sustainable value to customers throughout the planning processes. The consulting firm utilizes an award-winning data analytics platform to support its network of industry relationships, enabling the company to provide superior market driven strategies and innovative problem-solving to all engagements.

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Media Contact:
Sam Carlson
Dobies Health Marketing
scarlson@dobies.com
816.595.6731

Kansas Hospital Association Earns Gold Award for 2016 We CARE We VOTE Campaign

May 2, 2017/in Dobies Health Marketing News/by Dobies Health Marketing

Healthcare Marketing Report Recognizes KHA with Healthcare Advertising Award

At Dobies Health Marketing, we are proud to work with organizations all across the healthcare industry that share our passion for inspiring better, more informed decisions about health and contributing to improved quality of life for patients. One such client is Kansas Hospital Association.

Last week, Healthcare Marketing Report announced the winners of its 34th Annual Healthcare Advertising Awards, and Kansas Hospital Association received a gold award for its We CARE We VOTE Campaign in the Public Relations Program category. Of the nearly 4,000 entries received, only 367 entrants earned gold awards. As KHA’s strategic partner, Dobies Health Marketing, led the development of strategy and creative communication assets for the award-winning campaign.

The We CARE We VOTE campaign was a statewide initiative to empower and educate Kansas hospital and healthcare workers about legislative challenges facing Kansas hospitals in the 2016 election year. Designed to inform and inspire, We CARE We VOTE provided a comprehensive suite of materials for hospitals to use in rallying their physicians and employees – who represent 84,000 Kansans with professional interests in protecting patient access to healthcare – to understand the issues and cast their votes in the state primary and general elections.

The integrated campaign included more than a dozen materials ranging from an activation/communication plan to video and social posts, legislative outreach collateral, and more – all in full compliance with legal guidelines for hospital involvement in election-related activities. To engage Kansas healthcare workers, KHA distributed more than 200 campaign toolkits by mail to hospitals throughout the state and published a downloadable toolkit for members on its website. The online toolkit also linked to a list of candidates supported by KHA’s political action committee. The KHA-PAC’s candidate selections were based on local hospital input and candidate support for hospital-related issues.

KHA reports that three-quarters of its hospital members were actively engaged in getting out the vote. Candidates supported by the KHA-PAC won 70 out of 84 races, 26 of 34 Senate seats, and 44 of 50 House seats. By motivating thousands of Kansas hospital employees to make their voices heard at the polls, We CARE We VOTE contributed to the election of more moderate Kansas state officials, adding new strength to KHA’s broader legislative advocacy efforts for Kansas hospitals.

“We commend KHA for its substantial investment in the effort to improve access to healthcare for all Kansans by inspiring Kansas hospital employees to vote,” said Carol Dobies, CEO and Founder of Dobies Health Marketing. “It was an honor to support KHA, as well as all Kansas hospitals and hardworking Kansas residents, by assisting with this campaign.”

This year’s Healthcare Advertising Awards will be distributed in June. View the full list of winners.

About Dobies Health Marketing

Since 1992, Dobies Health Marketing has offered highly specialized expertise in healthcare marketing strategy, branding and creative communications. The Kansas City-based company serves the marketing and branding needs of the entire healthcare industry, from hospitals, health systems and payers to medical device manufacturers, associations and certifying boards. Together, the experts of Dobies Health Marketing combine strategic marketing with creative communications to create healthier brands.

About Kansas Hospital Association

The Kansas Hospital Association is a voluntary, non-profit organization existing to be the leading advocate and resource for members. KHA membership includes 212 member facilities, of which 126 are full-service, community hospitals. Founded in 1910, KHA’s vision is: “Optimal Health for Kansas.”

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Media Contact:
Sam Carlson
Dobies Health Marketing
scarlson@dobies.com
816.595.6731

Dobies Health Marketing Welcomes New Content Development Manager

April 13, 2017/in Dobies Health Marketing News/by Dobies Health Marketing

Sam Carlson, Content Development Manager at Dobies Health Marketing

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Dobies Health Marketing, a healthcare-specialized marketing, branding and advertising firm, is enjoying continued growth in its 25th year, both inside and out. This week, Sam Carlson joined the creative team as the firm’s new Content Development Manager. Sam will help create and manage content for multimedia communications for the firm and its many healthcare clients.

“In our search to grow our content team, Sam rose to the top of several great candidates,” said Diane Morgan, Director of Content Development. “He understands the nuances of effective marketing communications and knows what it takes to engage people where they live, work and play.”

Sam brings more than eight years of experience in copywriting, editing and marketing communications, and he has specialized in healthcare content development since 2011. In his most recent role as Student Interest Communications Project Specialist for the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), he excelled at engaging consumers in all stages of the primary care workforce, from medical students to practicing physicians. He also helped elevate the organization’s online presence through strategic search engine optimization, social media and video content.

Prior to his work at AAFP, Sam served as a Copy Editor for Vance Publishing Corporation (now Farm Journal Media, Bobit Business Media and CCI Media). In 2007, after completing his bachelor’s degree in journalism with an emphasis in news and information from the University of Kansas, Sam returned to his hometown of St. Louis, Mo. to assist with the rollout of then-new EHR software at Mercy Hospital St. Louis. He has proudly called Kansas City home since 2008.

“It’s a privilege to join the healthcare marketing experts at Dobies Health Marketing,” said Sam. “Working alongside our clients, I believe we can deliver content that will change the way people think about health, leading to improved care, better health outcomes and healthier lives.”

About Dobies Health Marketing