Scott Miller, APR, is the communications director at now, but his journey to public relations professional began when he was volunteering as a teenager.
СAPPI became aware of the public relations field while volunteering at a hospital in Opelousas every summer during my teen years,СAPP he said. СAPPThe public relations and marketing director at the facility was also responsible for the volunteer program and I became interested in learning more about her career.
СAPPI had always excelled in writing and genuinely enjoyed it,СAPP he said. СAPPI also had an interest in healthcare, but I was pretty certain that the clinical pathway was not for me. However, as a public relations practitioner, I could work in an industry that I found fascinating, but utilize my talents for writing, organizing and creativity to help a healthcare organization advance its mission.СAPP
From PR Student to Professional
ScottСAPPs interests and talents led him to the public relations program at UL Lafayette.
СAPPOnce I began the program, I felt fortunate to be enrolled in a highly-respected program just 30 minutes from where I lived,СAPP he said.
More than 20 years after his graduation, Scott still acknowledges how essential his real-world experiences in the public relations program were for his career.
СAPPThe campaigns class and internship allowed me to take all I had learned and apply it in a real-world environment,СAPP he said. СAPPIt provided me with the confidence of knowing I had the necessary skills and experience to enter the profession.СAPP
Scott also credits former professor Dr. Kathleen Kelly, APR, in helping him build a successful career.
СAPPDr. Kelly instilled a sense of pride in her students and stressed the responsibility we would have as professional communicators,СAPP he explained.
СAPPIn order to advance my knowledge and career, I pursued (APR), a designation that advances the credibility of the practitioner and field,СAPP he said. СAPPDr. Kelly was an advocate of earning APR and upholding the standards of the public relations profession through ethical and strategic communication, based on a solid body of knowledge.
СAPPThis firm foundation has served me well throughout my career and it is something I instill in my team and interns as they come through our department,СAPP he said.
СAPPI will forever be indebted to Dr. Kelly and UL Lafayette for providing me with such a valuable education that would serve me well throughout my career,СAPP Scott said. СAPPI am a proud UL Lafayette graduate and often tell others about my affection and appreciation for the education I received at the СAPP. Those were times that I will always fondly remember and feel honored to be a part of UL LafayetteСAPPs long, outstanding legacy.СAPP
While at the СAPP, Scott got involved in the , which provided him with the opportunities he needed to kickstart his career.
СAPPShortly after graduation, I moved to Baton Rouge and began networking,СAPP he said. СAPPAt the time, the UL Lafayette PRSSA professional advisor lived in the capital city, so I reached out to her. She connected me with some of her contacts and I quickly found a job with the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank.
СAPPWhile it wasnСAPPt a healthcare job, it gave me all of the experience and tools to begin my career,СAPP he said. СAPPI also worked in the telecommunications industry for several years and then landed my first healthcare job.
СAPPIСAPPve now worked in healthcare for more than 15 years and feel so at home in this environment,СAPP he said. СAPPIСAPPve also worked in management roles for a number of years now and enjoy working with and learning from my team each and every day.СAPP
In addition to earning APR, Scott said other highlights of his career have been being elected president of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana СAPP Baton Rouge Chapter, Practitioner of the Year by the Louisiana Society for Hospital Marketing and Public Relations, and the Senior Practitioner designation by the Southern Public Relations Federation.
PR Responsibilities & Beyond
As the communications director at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, Scott takes on a lot of responsibilities that his education prepared him for.
СAPPI work closely with the vice president of marketing and the other members of our marketing and communications team to ensure consistency of messaging and ensure we are fostering collaborative relationships with all of our audiences,СAPP he explained.
СAPPThis can include designing and implementing comprehensive communication plans, writing and editing messages, pitching media stories and fielding inquires, meeting with physicians and executives, as well as working with my direct reports to guide them and do everything I can to assist them in moving their projects forward,СAPP he said.
СAPPI also constantly collaborate with my counterpart on the marketing side of the department to ensure key messaging is disseminated throughout all owned, earned, and paid communication channels,СAPP he said.
ScottСAPPs career in health communications puts more responsibilities on his plate than just public relations.
СAPPHealthcare changes rapidly and the need to proactively communicate is heightened compared to other industries in which I have worked,СAPP he explained. СAPPI also find it extremely rewarding, especially in cancer care, to connect people who are facing a challenging diagnosis with doctors and other caregivers who can give them their best chance at beating the disease.СAPP
СAPPI also do a lot of work with our Prevention on the Go team, which focuses on early detection education and screenings,СAPP he said. СAPPEffectively targeting and reaching those most at risk for cancer and motivating them to prevent or catch the disease in its earliest stages, can save lives.
СAPPItСAPPs an opportunity and privilege to impact the health of many people,СAPP he said.
