Ellen Greene, vice president of strategic communications for RWJBarnabas Health, was recently honored by the PRSA Health Academy as the recipient of the 2020 Excellence in Public Relations Award.
Greene was nominated by her colleagues at RWJBarnabas Health for the award, which recognizes leaders in health care public relations and communications for their innovative leadership, contributions to public relations. Nominees are judged in three areas: leaders who advance and elevate the practice of health care public relations, facilitate the discovery of innovative strategies and tools, and represent enrichment, leadership and excellence in his/her practice of public relations.
Greene started her health care communications career more than three decades ago at a stand-alone community hospital in New Jersey.
Marina Renneke, chair of the PRSA Health Academy and member of the award review committee, said Greene’s dedication and expertise have elevated the reputation of the health system and positioned her as a strategic thinker, mentor and innovator in public relations.
“We had a very solid pool of candidates this year for the Excellence in Public Relations Award,” Renneke said. “Ellen stood out as not only a strategic counselor to leaders within the health system, but a mentor to a number of employees both inside and outside her department. We are honored to recognize her as the 2020 recipient.”
Greene said she was gratified by the honor.
“Like most of us in this field, I have spent my entire career happily promoting the accomplishments of others and reveling when the efforts result in recognition,” she said. “Being on this side is definitely an unusual experience. I am tremendously grateful to my colleagues for nominating me for this wonderful award.”
Michael Knecht, senior vice president of strategic marketing and communications at RWJBarnabas Health, said the honor is well deserved.
“Ellen continues to chart the course for a team of professionals who rely on her breadth of public relations knowledge and precise attention to every detail,” he said. “She is held in the highest regard by an exceptionally-accomplished leadership team and remains a communications beacon in an ever evolving industry.”
The PRSA Health Academy is one of 14 professional interest sections within the Public Relations Society of America and represents public relations and communication professionals who serve the health industry. With nearly 900 members, this specialized community has access to the latest best practices and industry trends, and features an annual conference that includes national-interest speakers and emerging topics in healthcare PR. Additionally, the Health Academy provides educational and career development opportunities through ongoing teleseminars, and provides a forum for professionals to discuss and share best practices in order to stay current and connected.
