The Health Academy Section, housed within the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), is for public relations and communications professionals who serve the health care, hospital, insurance and pharmaceutical industries. With 750+ members nationwide, this specialized community has access to the latest best practices and industry trends to help everyone stay current and connected.
Health Academy
About Us
Throughout the year, via webinars and digital resources, the Health Academy offers members opportunities for education and discussion on the latest issues facing health care communication and PR professionals.
The annual conference traditionally features national-interest speakers and emerging trends in health care public relations.
Section Member Resources on MyPRSA
Sample Resources for Nonmembers
Health Academy communications plan template
How Do I Join?
If you are already a PRSA member and looking to join this Section, please call the Member Services department at (212) 460-1400 or email: membership@prsa.org.
Not a PRSA member?
Learn about the benefits and how to join PRSA here.
Benefits of PRSA Membership
The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is the leading professional organization for today's communicators. Watch the video to get a quick overview. A PRSA membership opens the door to a world of benefits, such as:
- Unlimited free professional development, both live and on-demand
- Networking with your peers, online and in person at a local Chapter
- Member-exclusive online community to leverage for peer support
- Discounted conference attendance
- Award-winning publications like Strategies & Tactics and Issues & Trends
- Exclusive discounts such as 20% off one single-user subscription to AP Stylebook Online, and many more!
Join your colleagues at these organizations by taking advantage of our Section membership benefits now!
Events
Events
PRSA 2025 Health Academy Conference
This in-person conference, “Transparency and Trust: Managing Reputations, Policies and Impact,” will be held Oct. 27-28 in Washington, D.C. Co-located again this year with PRSA ICON, the Health Academy section conference will be held at the Washington Hilton.
Executive Committee
Health Academy Executive Committee
Your Executive Committee works to establish the Health Academy Section as the place for industry professionals to gather and share expertise and grow together. We do this with year-round programming and content development.
Chair
Ilana Ostrin
Head of Global Communications
Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA)
Washington, DC
iostrin@pptaglobal.org
Chair–Elect
Ronna Charles
Director of Communications
Emory Goizueta Brain Health Institute
Atlanta, GA
ronnamcharles@gmail.com
Immediate Past Chair
Carrie Strehlau
Senior Digital Content Specialist
Ochsner Health
Asheville, NC
cstrehlau@yahoo.com
Members at Large
Alexson Calahan
Owner
Small Adventures Communications
Urbandale, IA
alexson@smalladventurescommunications.com
Jason Carlton, APR
Marketing Manager
Intermountain Health, Canyons Region
Murray, UT
jason.carlton@imail.org
Nicholas (Cole) Crider
Communications Associate
IU Health
West Lafayette, IN
ncrider@iuhealth.org
Theresa Freed
Director of Strategic Communication and Engagement
Kansas Health Institute
Topeka, KS
tfreed@khi.org
Kate Lyons
Vice President
CURA Strategies
Marion, IN
katerushlyons@gmail.com
Brittney (Britt) Mitchell
Manager, Financial Comms and Media Relations
Adtalem Global Education
Lake Mills, WI
brittney.a.mitchell@gmail.com
Susan Simkins, APR
Enterprise Communications
Quantum Health
Plano, TX
ssimkins@sbcglobal.net
Lisa Arledge-Powell
President
MediaSource
Columbus, OH
larledge@mediasourcetv.com
James Janicki, APR
Chief Administrative Officer
Hillcrest Health and Living
Bellevue, NE
jjanicki@hillcresthealth.com
Constin Jordache, APR
Vice President for System Strategy and Brand Development
Adventist HealthCare
Silver Springs, MD
costinjordache@gmail.com
Ellen Beth Levitt
Senior Communications Consultant
HCSC
Dallas, TX
eblevitt@gmail.com
James M. Shackelford, APR
Vice President, Global Public Information
amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research
New York, NY
jms@shackelfordemail.com
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