Susan DubuqueContributing Editor
Plain-English Health Care
Richmond, VA
(866) 641-4548
Follow Susan: LinkedIn
Susan Dubuque, a strategist and writer specializing in health care and behavior change, was a cofounder and principal of Two Tango (formerly NDP Agency). She literally wrote the book on marketing’s role in health improvement, Gearing Up for Population Health: Marketing for Change, published by the SHSMD of the American Hospital Association. She is an adjunct instructor at VCU’s School of Health Professions. Susan serves on the editorial advisory board of Strategic Health Care Marketing and is co-chair of the 2024 eHealthcare Leadership Awards.
Susan has contributed her expertise to the articles listed below.
// By Susan Dubuque // Few things connect more directly to human emotion than sound. In marketing, that connection is powerful: Audio cues can reinforce brand recognition up to 96 percent faster than visuals alone. Discover how Northwell’s sonic brand amplifies emotion, strengthens trust, and helps the organization break through the clutter in a fiercely competitive marketplace.
By transforming annual specialty updates into dynamic digital impact reports, Cincinnati Children’s builds awareness, strengthens its national reputation, and fosters connections across the physician community. Read on to explore the making of Cincinnati Children’s Accomplishment Reports and the lessons they offer for organizations looking to boost physician engagement.
Banner Health is charting a bold new course. The system needed a brand platform that could keep pace. Read the full article to learn how Banner Health transformed its name into a powerful brand asset, plus insights for shaping your own brand story.
// By Susan Dubuque // UCSF Health brings empathy and clarity to bariatric surgery marketing, helping patients see that this transformative care is within their reach. Discover how UCSF Health’s award-winning campaign built trust, educated the community, and achieved measurable impact.
// By Susan Dubuque // Winners of the 2025 eHealthcare Leadership Awards were announced on November 9 at an awards presentation held during the Healthcare Internet Conference. More than 270 organizations were recognized for their outstanding work. Winners of Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Distinction awards represent 18 industry classifications, from hospitals and health systems to pharmaceutical firms.
// By Susan Dubuque // In an era of shrinking reimbursements and rising costs, philanthropy has become an essential lifeline for hospitals and health systems, with donors contributing more than $20 billion to U.S. hospitals each year. Discover how philanthropy mobilizes communities and provides millions of dollars in essential funding for cancer research and patient care.
As consumer expectations rise and attention spans shrink, traditional messaging about excellence and empathy is no longer enough. Today’s audiences are tuning out institutional voices and tuning in to brands that feel authentic, emotionally relevant, and boldly human. Here, industry leader Stephanie Wierwille offers insights into creating a compelling brand story.
Community Health Centers are bracing for major Medicaid cuts. Community Health Centers, including Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), have been the backbone of health care access since 1965. Hospitals and health systems have a vested interest in supporting their sustainability. Read on to see how health systems benefit by partnering with FQHCs.
// By Susan Dubuque // By transforming annual specialty updates into dynamic digital impact reports, Cincinnati Children’s builds awareness, strengthens its national reputation, and fosters connections across the physician community. Read on to explore the making of Cincinnati Children’s Accomplishment Reports and the lessons they offer for organizations looking to boost physician engagement.
Onvida Health reinvented itself with a renewed purpose and values — and then wrapped the package with a new name, brand identity, and smart positioning. Learn how Onvida Health introduced its brand internally and externally, launched a multichannel campaign, and created a platform for long-term connection and growth.
// By Susan Dubuque // Industry expert Shannon Curran offers insights on why authenticity is no longer optional. In today’s competitive hiring market, health care organizations must align their brands and culture to attract — and keep — the right talent. Discover five tips on how to create recruitment and retention campaigns that truly connect — and keep talent engaged.
// By Susan Dubuque // Marketing leaders from Renown Health and The Christ Hospital Health Network share how their award-winning recruitment and retention strategies helped address workforce shortages. Read on to discover how authentic messaging and targeted outreach can strengthen both recruitment and retention.
// By Susan Dubuque // Banner Health is charting a bold new course. The system needed a brand platform that could keep pace. Read the full article to learn how Banner Health transformed its name into a powerful brand asset, plus insights for shaping your own brand story.
In a world of 30- and 60-second TV spots, The Christ Hospital Health Network in Cincinnati is turning heads with something refreshingly brief: 10-second ads that deliver big impact. Airing during Jeopardy, the spots feature a nod to the game show, rotate through service line messages, introduce providers, and reinforce the brand.
// By Susan Dubuque // As consumer expectations rise and attention spans shrink, traditional messaging about excellence and empathy is no longer enough. Today’s audiences are tuning out institutional voices and tuning in to brands that feel authentic, emotionally relevant, and boldly human. Here, industry leader Stephanie Wierwille offers insights into creating a compelling brand story.
For many health care marketers, annual reports often walk a fine line between fulfilling institutional obligations and sparking genuine audience engagement. MD Anderson Cancer Center’s FY23 Annual Report didn’t just meet expectations — it redefined them. Discover how the team executed a single vision for the organization’s annual report across print and digital.
// By Susan Dubuque // Community Health Centers are bracing for major Medicaid cuts. Community Health Centers, including Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), have been the backbone of health care access since 1965. Hospitals and health systems have a vested interest in supporting their sustainability. Read on to see how health systems benefit by partnering with FQHCs.
// By Susan Dubuque // Onvida Health reinvented itself with a renewed purpose and values — and then wrapped the package with a new name, brand identity, and smart positioning. Learn how Onvida Health introduced its brand internally and externally, launched a multichannel campaign, and created a platform for long-term connection and growth.
// By Susan Dubuque // To better understand trends reshaping strategy, execution, and engagement, we turned to trusted voices from organizations supporting the eHealthcare Leadership Awards. These experts offer a roadmap for staying relevant and impactful in today’s health care environment. Keep reading for frontline insights to help you stay informed, inspired, and ahead of the curve.
As health systems face rising costs, shrinking margins, and growing demand for services, charitable contributions can provide critical funding for capital improvements, medical research, and community health programs. Fundraising professionals are among the most recruited health care executives today. Read on to discover the mutual benefits of philanthropy and marketing joining forces.
// By Susan Dubuque // In a world of 30- and 60-second TV spots, The Christ Hospital Health Network in Cincinnati is turning heads with something refreshingly brief: 10-second ads that deliver big impact. Airing during Jeopardy, the spots feature a nod to the game show, rotate through service line messages, introduce providers, and reinforce the brand.
// By Susan Dubuque // For many health care marketers, annual reports often walk a fine line between fulfilling institutional obligations and sparking genuine audience engagement. MD Anderson Cancer Center’s FY23 Annual Report didn’t just meet expectations — it redefined them. Discover how the team executed a single vision for the organization’s annual report across print and digital.
Award-winning marketers from Orlando Health, Norton Healthcare, CommonSpirit Health, and BayCare Health System share how they launched, evolved, and elevated their podcasts. Keep reading for insights, practical tips, and inspiration to help you launch your organization’s podcast or take it to the next level.
// By Susan Dubuque // This vibrant new marketing campaign presents an imaginative take on the spirit of innovation that powers the people and life-changing work at this leading academic medical center. Keep reading — you won’t want to miss this bold, fresh take on health care advertising. And yes, there just might be a unicorn.
Health care’s digital experience often lags behind the expectations of modern consumers. Industry expert Ben Dillon unpacks how retail giants have set a new standard for digital experience. Read the full article to explore how health care marketers can more closely align patient experience with consumer expectations influenced by major brands.