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.
Marketing budgets have rebounded since the pandemic, and health systems are focused on efficiency and ROI-driven spending. Roper St. Francis shares its approach to justifying a robust marketing and communications budget using benchmarking data. Learn how to create a budget proposal grounded in benchmarking data and how you can master strategic presentations.
We’re very pleased to announce that Deb Pappas has joined the Editorial Advisory Board of Strategic Health Care Marketing. Deb serves as Vice President and Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at Connecticut Children’s, where she leads the development of comprehensive marketing, communications, and brand strategies. Her leadership has enhanced the organization’s brand awareness, reputation and preference.
// By Susan Dubuque // Cincinnati’s health care market is highly competitive, with eight health systems, including an academic medical center and a renowned children’s hospital. When Rob Whitehouse joined seven years ago, the health system struggled to differentiate itself. Discover how TriHealth aligns its brand to reflect a culture rooted in humanity and in population health.
// By Susan Dubuque // Health care philanthropy’s resurgence is leading to larger fundraising initiatives, expanded development departments, and new partnerships between marketing and philanthropy to help organizations tell their stories, leverage their brands, and engage donors. Keep reading to discover how marketing and fundraising work together to create a greater impact.
Community Health Systems launched an award-winning campaign that leverages the selfie craze to engage women in focusing on their own health and lifestyle choices. Discover the planning, strategy, and creative executives behind this clever multimedia campaign.
The SHCM Editorial Advisory Board is made up of leaders in the health care marketing field who are committed to shaping the future of the industry. They offer ongoing feedback on our editorial coverage, write occasional articles, and point us to developments and people SHCM members like you should know about.
// By Susan Dubuque // Mount Sinai took a strategic, empathy-driven approach, conveying the message, “We get you, and we’ve got you,” to appeal to the ultimate health decision-makers: women. Read on to see how Mount Sinai captures the attention of this vital target audience and achieves measurable results with this award-winning campaign.
// By Susan Dubuque // Marketing budgets have rebounded since the pandemic, and health systems are focused on efficiency and ROI-driven spending. Roper St. Francis shares its approach to justifying a robust marketing and communications budget using benchmarking data. Learn how to create a budget proposal grounded in benchmarking data and how you can master strategic presentations.
// By Susan Dubuque // Community Health Systems launched an award-winning campaign that leverages the selfie craze to engage women in focusing on their own health and lifestyle choices. Read the full article to explore the planning, strategy, and creative executives behind this clever multimedia campaign.
The application of art and music in healing dates back thousands of years. Today, these timeless practices are finding new life in modern health care. Read the full article to explore how expressive therapies are used to shape patient experiences and enhance clinical care at leading health systems.
The UNC Health Championship golf tournament isn’t just about perfect swings and scenic fairways — it’s a game changer for health care across North Carolina. Discover how UNC Health’s omnichannel marketing campaign achieved and surpassed its goals through strategic thinking, innovative media tactics, and impactful creative executions.
// By Susan Dubuque // The application of art and music in healing dates back thousands of years. Today, these timeless practices are finding new life in modern health care. Read the full article to explore how expressive therapies are used to shape patient experiences and enhance clinical care at leading health systems.
In January 2023, Nebraska Medicine faced a significant staffing shortfall. Leadership recognized the need for immediate and long-term strategies to address recruitment and retention challenges. Discover how Nebraska Medicine reframed its employer brand to ensure the stable workforce needed to deliver excellent care and help the organization grow and thrive.
// By Susan Dubuque // The UNC Health Championship golf tournament isn’t just about perfect swings and scenic fairways — it’s a game changer for health care across North Carolina. Discover how UNC Health’s omnichannel marketing campaign achieved and surpassed its goals through strategic thinking, innovative media tactics, and impactful creative executions.
// By Susan Dubuque // In January 2023, Nebraska Medicine faced a significant staffing shortfall. Leadership recognized the need for immediate and long-term strategies to address recruitment and retention challenges. Discover how Nebraska Medicine reframed its employer brand to ensure the stable workforce needed to deliver excellent care and help the organization grow and thrive.
Whether you’re new to health care marketing or a seasoned professional seeking fresh inspiration, now is the time to take charge of your career trajectory. Small, strategic changes can significantly impact your professional journey. Here, you’ll discover practices of top early-career performers and set your roadmap to jump-start or reboot your career.
// By Susan Dubuque // Whether you’re new to health care marketing or a seasoned professional seeking fresh inspiration, now is the time to take charge of your career trajectory. Small, strategic changes can significantly impact your professional journey. Here, you’ll discover practices of top early-career performers and set your roadmap to jump-start or reboot your career.
By aligning the health care brand with the academic side of the university, VCU Health strengthens its unique position as an Academic Medical Center in a cluttered market. Learn how VCU Health developed a fresh, new brand — UN-like any other health system — and view the elements of the brand campaign.
// By Susan Dubuque // By aligning the health care brand with the academic side of the university, VCU Health strengthens its unique position as an Academic Medical Center in a cluttered market. Learn how VCU Health developed a fresh, new brand — UN-like any other health system — and view the elements of the brand campaign.
Philadelphia’s first behavioral health urgent care for adults provides immediate access to vital services, helping to reduce ED visits and inpatient stays and offering a positive experience even on the worst days. Read on to learn more about this care model, which aims to improve access, elevate patient experience, and prevent crises.
The day a teenage boy arrived at the trauma center with a severe gunshot wound, and the team saved his life, it filled them with an incredible sense of joy. This was the genesis of the VCU Health Bridging the Gap Program. Learn how this team set out to reduce violent injuries.
// By Susan Dubuque // Baptist Health is Arkansas’ most comprehensive health care organization. Known for its outstanding obstetrics and gynecology services in Arkansas, the organization also aims to be the first choice for women seeking comprehensive health care. Discover how Baptist Health created a compelling integrated marketing campaign that connects with women at every life stage.
// By Susan Dubuque // Philadelphia’s first behavioral health urgent care for adults provides immediate access to vital services, helping to reduce ED visits and inpatient stays and offering a positive experience even on the worst days. Read on to learn more about this care model, which aims to improve access, elevate patient experience, and prevent crises.
// By Susan Dubuque // The day a teenage boy arrived at the trauma center with a severe gunshot wound, and the team saved his life, it filled them with an incredible sense of joy. This was the genesis of the VCU Health Bridging the Gap Program. Learn how this team set out to reduce violent injuries.
// By Susan Dubuque // As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the eHealthcare Leadership Awards, it is fitting to reflect on the evolution of the awards program and the parallel advancements in our industry. We look back from various perspectives, including organizers, sponsors, judges, and winners. The 2024 awards ceremony is at HCIC on November 10.