Getting publicity

How we can help KUMC faculty, staff and students

The office Public Affairs works to generate news about education, research, patient care and service at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

We write news releases and suggest stories to media outlets in Kansas City, throughout the state of Kansas and nationally. We respond to media inquiries about health, science and public policy issues, connecting reporters with KU Medical Center leaders, researchers and other experts. We also tell KU Medical Center stories through our magazine, Kansas Medicine+Science.

We can:

• Advise you on what to do if reporters contact you
• Generate media interest in discoveries as a result of your research
• Pitch story ideas about your work to media outlets
• Train your staff to work with our department to increase news coverage of your work
• Help manage a potentially negative media situation
• Help write newspaper op-ed pieces
• Tell your stories to the KU Medical Center community

Share your news

Our team of trained communicators is eager to let the public know about amazing discoveries, notable accomplishments and exciting community work being done by the faculty and staff at KU Medical Center. It's our job to share the great work of our colleagues across the health sciences — from basic science to public health to clinical care delivery.

We work best when we know about your story tip or newsworthy accomplishment as far in advance as possible. And there's no way we can interest the media in an event after it's already happened. The more notice we have, the better.

We have a variety of tools at our disposal. We can write and distribute news releases and work with specific journalists to earn coverage in external media outlets. We can also help share your good news with the rest of the campus community. Other channels include:

• KUMC.edu homepage feature story
• Kansas Medicine + Science magazine
• KU Medical Center Facebook page
• @KUMedCenter Twitter
• KUMedCenter YouTube channel
• KUMC News and Announcements from the Executive Vice Chancellor

How to tell us your news

In order for us to determine the best outlet for your news, we'll need information such as the following:

• Is your event, discovery or achievement primarily of interest to your campus colleagues, or is it also of interest to the general public?
• Does your event, discovery or achievement address a well-known health problem or issue?
• Does your event, discovery or achievement expose a health problem that the public should know about?
• How is your event, discovery or achievement unique - in the Kansas City region or nationally?
• Is it possible to explain your work in language that anyone can understand? We are trained to translate sometimes difficult scientific concepts into language that's accessible to the general public, but we'll need your help in doing so.
• If your work involves patients, reporters will want to talk to one - do you have patients who are willing to speak to reporters?
• Are you willing to be interviewed by print, radio or television reporters?

Once you've determined the answers to those questions, send your news tip along with your name, department, contact information and the best way to reach you in the next 48 hours to: KUMCNews@kumc.edu.

What you can expect from us

Once you've submitted your story tip, you can expect:

1. A follow -up call or email within the next 48 hours to discuss possible angles and communications outlets.
2. A request for names and contact information for other involved individuals, both inside and outside of the institution.
3. A possible request for a meeting so that we can gather more information.
4. Questions about how to represent the story visually, which might include having your picture taken.

We look forward to working with you.

C.J. Janovy, Director of Communications
cjanovy@kumc.edu
Main number: 913-588-2598
Cell: 913-953-7942

Donna Peck, Assistant Communications Director and Managing Editor, Kansas Medicine+Science
dpeck@kumc.edu
913-588-5956
913-945-6005

Cori Ast, Outreach Communications Coordinator
cast@kumc.edu
913-588-2695

David Martin, School of Medicine Communications Manager
dmartin3@kumc.edu
913-588-1872

Toni Cardarella, School of Nursing Communications Manager
tcardarella@kumc.edu
913-588-1651