Lineth Fernandez on Storytelling, Mentorship and What Fuels Her Drive

Lineth Fernandez, a public relations coordinator at Broward Health in South Florida, was recently named New PR Professional of the Year by PRSA’s Greater Fort Lauderdale Chapter. 

After graduating from Florida International University in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism, she worked locally, including as an associate producer for WPLG Local 10 News in Miami, before joining Broward Health’s PR team. 

Having been recognized at the Chapter’s Wizard Awards on May 29, Fernandez says being named New PR Professional of the Year inspires her to “keep learning, keep growing, and continue using the power of communication to make a difference.”

The former broadcast journalist now channels her passion into sharing patient stories and advancing the mission of one of Florida’s largest public health systems. Here, she talks about the impact of meaningful storytelling, the value of mentorship and what’s next for her career. 

Congratulations on being named New PR Professional of the Year. What does this recognition mean to you?

I want to thank everyone who has contributed to my growth throughout my career. I wouldn’t be here without them. Being named New PR Professional of the Year is an incredibly humbling and meaningful honor. It reflects the passion and dedication I bring to every story, and the impact those efforts have made.

You majored in broadcast journalism at Florida International University. Was that always your career ambition? 

Yes, since I was a little girl, I wanted to pursue journalism. I’ve always been drawn to storytelling and connecting with people, appreciating the power of great communication and its impact on our community.

What inspired your move from broadcast journalism into public relations?

As the media landscape continued to shift and newsrooms began to shrink, I realized it was time to broaden my horizons. PR offered me a way to stay true to my journalistic roots. 

Joining Broward Health, a pillar in Broward County, has been a rewarding experience for me. I still have the opportunity to interview people and to craft meaningful stories, but now I can amplify those stories across multiple communication channels and reach a broader audience.

How did your journalism skills translate to your work in public relations — especially in health care communications?

Skills from broadcast journalism transfer seamlessly into PR, because both fields center around storytelling, clear communication and engaging a target audience.

Working in a fast-paced news environment taught me to write quickly, think visually and translate complex topics into simple messages. My news experience comes in handy in PR, especially when there’s little time to pitch a story. 

Having been on the receiving end of countless pitches as a reporter, I understand what makes a story newsworthy. I know coverage only happens if the medical service or innovation I’m trying to pitch is making a difference in the community, if there are stats and if a patient is willing to go on the record. I often identify a story angle, a news trend or connect my pitch to an in-house marketing campaign.

Finally, working in a newsroom made me vigilant for breaking news. I know how to identify opportunities for our physicians to serve as expert commentators. I develop talking points for the physicians and coach them to stay on message and to feel at ease in front of the camera.

What are your current roles and responsibilities at Broward Health?

I’m responsible for developing and sharing positive stories across Broward Health and enhancing the system’s reputation through strategic media relations and brand storytelling.

I write patient stories and press releases that showcase innovative procedures, new technology, and excellent care. I proactively pitch these stories, coordinate press conferences and arrange exclusive interviews to position our physicians as trusted experts. 

If a patient is being discharged within minutes, then I quickly gather an interview, shoot horizontal B-roll footage, edit a video package, write a script and a headline that is timely and relevant, and distribute the story to media partners.

With experience in a newsroom, I monitor breaking news, emerging health concerns, seasonal topics and national health observances, as well as coordinate interviews for medical professionals. 

On LinkedIn, you mentioned the honor of sharing patient and caregiver stories. What’s been the most meaningful story you’ve helped tell so far?

Every story that I’ve had the privilege to highlight is beautifully unique. I’m thankful for the patients and caregivers who entrust me to share their stories. It’s an honor I don’t take lightly.

Some of the most powerful moments have been patient reunions, when individuals return to the hospital to thank the health care heroes who saved their lives. 

I also have a special place in my heart for pediatric stories. The children I’ve met are incredibly resilient, full of personality and always a joy to work with. 

Was there a moment when you knew PR/comms was the right fit for you?

I’ve always been passionate about storytelling, connecting with people and working with the media. Over time, I realized that PR allowed me to do all of those things while also driving strategic impact and increasing brand visibility for an organization.

What role has mentoring played in your PR career?

Mentorship has been instrumental in shaping my career. When I first entered the profession, I didn’t have a formal background in public relations, so having a strong mentor was like going through an intensive boot camp. I learned the ins and outs, from strategy to execution, in a way that only hands-on guidance can provide, and then I hit the ground running.

Mentorship accelerates your growth and takes you farther than you could go alone, especially early in your career. The experience reinforced my belief that we go farther together. I’m grateful to those who took the time to invest in my development.

What’s your advice for PR pros just starting their careers or looking to pivot careers?

PR is incredibly competitive, so have thick skin and let go of self-doubt, self-sabotage and self-righteousness. Have a servant-leader mindset, be kind, curious and a great listener. Discipline is essential. Hard work often beats talent.

Find a mentor and ask to shadow that person. Learning from someone experienced can accelerate your growth. After every story, event or crisis, take time to reflect on what went well and what could be improved. That habit will help you build a blueprint for long-term success. Successful people do consistently what others do occasionally.

Mistakes will happen, and when they do, own them quickly.

In a LinkedIn post about being named New PR Professional of the Year by PRSA’s Greater Fort Lauderdale Chapter, you wrote, “The best is yet to come.” What’s one goal or area you’re excited to explore next in your professional journey?

With faith, discipline and dedication, I’ve learned that anything is possible. I look forward to earning my master’s degree in mass communication with a concentration in public relations from the University of Florida in 2026.