From left are RMC 2009 Board Chairman James Amaker, Celeste Bryant, Marketing business development and sales specialist; Babs Westbury, Marketing specialist; and Kathy Rhoad, Marketing director.

The Regional Medical Center received three awards, a Golden Tusk for Overall Marketing /Communications Programs, a Gold Wallie for Television Advertising -- testimonial campaign and a Silver Wallie for Newspaper Advertising -- testimonial campaign, from the Carolinas Healthcare Public Relations & Marketing Society (CHPRMS) recently.

Presented annually at the organization’s fall conference, the Wallie and Golden Tusk awards recognize excellence in healthcare public relations and marketing. Members have the opportunity to compete in more than a dozen categories and a panel of healthcare professionals chooses the winners.

“This marketing campaign was designed to inform people in our area about the services available at the Regional Medical Center. The advertisements promote our services by sharing positive experiences from former patients,” said RMC Board Chairman James Amaker. “We have received tremendous positive feedback from the community about these ads. We are pleased that others recognize this great campaign.”

For more than 30 years, CHPRMS has offered members opportunities to sharpen their communications skills and strategies, consult with other members for ideas in developing public relations and marketing programs, and participate in educational and awards programs.

CHPRMS provides resources for nearly 250 members working in an ever-changing, dynamic healthcare industry and maintains a close relationship with the North Carolina Hospital Association and the South Carolina Hospital Association. The majority of CHPRMS members represent healthcare organizations and businesses that focus on healthcare throughout the states of North and South Carolina.