Father’s Playbook App: The Payoff of a Long-term Health Communication Research Program
In November 2019, we enjoyed the major public launch of the Father’s Playbook app – an app designed to get expectant fathers involved in prenatal health and beyond.
Health Communication Campaign to Promote Hospital Hand Hygiene: Take Time. Save Lives.
The UT Center for Health Communication developed a campaign that was focused on hospital hand hygiene as an approach that could protect everyone: patients, hospital workers, and even the family and friends of hospital workers; from a message design standpoint, it was important to let anyone viewing the campaign apply the idea of “protects everyone” to those they viewed as important to protect via improved hand hygiene.
January 2021
CHC Welcomes Online Education Program Manager: Komal Gandhi
We are excited to announce Komal Gandhi has joined the CHC as an Online Education Program Manager, effective January 4.
CHC Welcomes Graphic Designer: Shayna Brewer
We are excited to announce Shayna Brewer has joined the CHC as a Graphic Designer, effective January 4.
June 2020
Free Resources Available to Help Change the Conversation About Mental Health Diagnoses
With support from the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, a team at the UT Center for Health Communication has created a whitepaper and curriculum modules—all available to the public for free—around one important question: What are the best ways to train healthcare professionals and journalists about mental health and mental illness communication... and why should we?
May 2020
CHC Welcomes Postdoctoral Fellow: Billy Table
We are excited to announce Billy Table has joined the CHC as a Postdoctoral Fellow, effective May 1.
January 2020
CHC Welcomes Web Developer: Eddie Silva
We are excited to announce Eddie Silva has joined the CHC as a Web Developer, effective January 27.
CHC Welcomes Program Coordinator: Zach Cohen-Ford
We are excited to announce Zach Cohen-Ford has joined the CHC as a Program Coordinator, effective January 6.
December 2019
CHC Welcomes Copywriter: Nick Brothers
We are excited to announce Nick Brothers has joined the CHC as a Copywriter, effective December 9.
CHC Welcomes Program Coordinator: Ryann Freeman
We are excited to announce Ryann Freeman has joined the CHC as a Program Coordinator, effective December 9.
October 2019
CHC Welcomes Graphic Designer: Merina Karpen
We are excited to announce that Merina Karpen has joined the CHC as a Graphic Designer, effective October 22.
CHC Welcomes Graphic Designer: Nicole Kirschten
We are excited to announce that Nicole Kirschten has joined the CHC as a Graphic Designer, effective October 21.
CHC to Synthesize Major Issues and Best Practices Regarding Mental Health-Related Communication
Thanks to a grant from the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, the Center for Health Communication (CHC) at The University of Texas at Austin has begun production on a whitepaper meant to advance the American conversation about mental health.
September 2019 News
CHC Welcomes Postdoctoral Fellow: Heather Voorhees
We are excited to announce that Heather Voorhees has joined the CHC as a Doctoral Fellow, effective September 3.
June 2019 News
CHC Welcomes Administrative Assistant-Event Manager: Breanna Deal
We are excited to announce that Breanna Deal has joined the CHC as a Administrative Assistant-Event Manager, effective June 10.
May 2019
CHC Welcomes Program Coordinator: Mike García
We are excited to announce that Mike García has joined the CHC as a Program Coordinator, effective May 29.
March 2019 News
CHC Welcomes Center Administrator: Patricia Semenov
We are excited to announce that Patricia Semenov has joined the CHC as a Center Administrator, effective March 11.
July 2018 News
Studying the Effects of Empathetic Healthcare Through the CHER Program
A hand surgeon and a communication expert may be an unlikely duo in many research settings. But this unlikely pair is a prime example of how the Center for Health Communication’s CHER grant program is achieving its goal of interdisciplinary partnerships to improve health and care through empathy and other evidence-based communication sciences.
CHER Awardee Tests the Role of Communication in Minority Women’s Enrollment in Clinical Trials
Clinical trials sound uncertain and maybe even dangerous, but in reality, they could be instrumental in saving the lives of many who would not ordinarily be able to afford such treatments. But how do we most effectively describe the relative risks and benefits of clinical trials to understandably uncertain patients?
Lead Poisoning Prevention in Texas Communities Through the CHER Program
Though many of us may consider lead poisoning a problem of the ‘50’s, according to recent studies, it remains an important public health issue.
CHER: Supporting Research that Explores How Communication Impacts Health, Empathy, & Resilience
The business of medicine is fast-paced and grueling. We’ve all been there, waiting in a doctor’s office for nearly an hour, all for a ten-minute appointment. The doctor comes in and gives a quick analysis, followed by a rushed monologue about treatment options or whatever it may be. A shaking of hands, a signing of papers, and soon you’re walking out with a feeling similar to leaving a theater after a particularly intense Marvel film.
CHC Welcomes Sr. Graphic Designer: Dasha Rakasovic
We are excited to announce that Dasha Rakasovic has accepted the Sr. Graphic Designer position, effective July 5.
June 2018 News
CHC Welcomes Project Coordinator for MD Anderson Healthy Communities: Hayley Fick
We are excited to announce that Hayley Fick has accepted the Project Coordinator position for the CHC’s MD Anderson Healthy Communities work, effective June 15.
May 2018 News
2018: A Year of Growth
The 2017-18 academic year saw the CHC bring on five new team members and take on a range of new projects with partners across campus and the state.
UT Center for Health Communication to Launch Theme on Mental Health and Health Communication
The University of Texas at Austin Center for Health (CHC) is proud to announce the launch of a new 2-year theme: Mental Health and Health Communication. The theme will begin in Fall 2018 and run throughout the 2018-19 and 2019-2020 academic years.
Senior Graphic Designer Position Available!
The Center for Health Communication (CHC) at the University of Texas at Austin is seeking applicants to fill a Senior Graphic Designer position, beginning immediately.
April 2018 News
The Blind People and The Elephant: Creating Cross-Disciplinary Solutions to Youth Addiction
By Kayla Reed
One look into the office of Dr. Lori Holleran Steiker is enough to express the dedication she has for her life’s work in adolescent substance abuse disorders. Boxes filled with supplies for the Operation Naloxone Expansion are stacked to the ceiling, and she excitedly tears one open to show off sturdy, zippered bank bags containing life-saving Naloxone kits.
February 2018 News
CHC Welcomes Center Administrator: Lindsay Murphy
We are excited to announce that Lindsay Murphy has accepted the Center Administrator position with the CHC, effective February 26.
January 2018 News
Senior Administrative Associate Position Available!
The Center for Health Communication (CHC) at the University of Texas at Austin is seeking applicants to fill a Senior Administrative Associate position, beginning immediately.
November 2017 News
CHER 2017-2018 Award Announcement
The Center for Health Communication is excited to award approximately $20,000 in its inaugural 2017-18 CHER program grant cycle to three teams of faculty and students. The Communication for Health, Empathy, and Resilience (CHER) grant program launched in Fall 2017 with the goal to promote collaboration between Moody College of Communication and Dell Medical School faculty in their evidence-based health communication scholarship, education, and community involvement endeavors.
October 2017 News
CHC Welcomes Director of Special Projects: Susan Kirtz
The CHC is excited to announce that Susan Kirtz has accepted a new Director of Special Projects position with the CHC, effective November 6. Susan will play an integral role in the research, development, communication and promotion of the CHC's two primary statewide projects and will work closely with faculty affiliates across campus to implement all programmatic components.
UT Center for Health Communication Awarded State Health Services Contract to Fight Opioid Epidemic
We're excited to share the official press release for our current project tackling the opioid epidemic. The goal is to develop and test effective messaging with health care providers and prescribers across the state to promote the new Texas Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP).
CHC Welcomes Sr. Graphic Designer: Kendra Beasley Lewellyn
The CHC is excited to announce that Kendra Beasley Lewellyn has accepted a new Sr. Graphic Designer position with the CHC, effective November 6. Kendra will be essential to designing and presenting visual concepts for the CHC's recently acquired Texas Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) contract.
The Center Is Hiring!
We have two statewide health communication projects that need a day-to-day leader (Director of Special Projects) and an experienced graphic designer. Please pass along these postings to your talented friends and colleagues.
July 2017 News
Health Communication Leadership Institute: Highlights
Open to new ideas. Empathetic. Adaptable. Consistent. Entrepreneurial.
These are all essential qualities of health communication leaders, according to participants at the 2017 Health Communication Leadership Institute (HCLI). On the first day of the three-day conference, attendees from every sector of public health, healthcare, communication, and marketing set the tone for what the next few days of training, teamwork, and reflection would be like by offering what they believed to be characteristics of effective health communication leaders. Speakers from campus and beyond offered a variety of perspectives that weaved in these concepts, with room to apply learnings to each individual’s respective professional goals.
June 2017 News
Gender Identity, Gender Roles, and Breast Cancer Among Young Women
Dr. Kate Pounders, Assistant Professor in the Stan Richards School of Advertising & Public Relations, is passionate about women’s health issues. Her work centers on emotion and identity and is currently focused on one of the most visible threats to women’s health today: breast cancer. Specifically, Dr. Pounders is interested in how breast cancer diagnosis and treatment impact gender identity and roles.
May 2017 News
CHC Welcomes Postdoctoral Scholar: Laura E. Brown
We are excited to announce that Laura E. Brown has accepted a new Postdoctoral Scholar position with the CHC, effective July 1.
CHC Names Assistant Director: Jessica Hughes Wagner
The CHC is excited to announce that Jessica Hughes Wagner has accepted a new Assistant Director position with the CHC, effective June 1.
Towards Solving the Problem of Substance Misuse and Addiction among Youth and Emerging Adults
The CHC is excited to be part of the Pop-Up Institute, Towards Solving the Problem of Substance Misuse and Addiction Among Youth and Emerging Adults, selected for funding in 2017-18.
April 2017 News
"Effective Communication is Key to Getting People Healthier"
By David Ring MD, PhD
One might think that new technology or simply increasing access to care could be the answer to creating the most healthful society possible. However, Dr. David Ring, MD, PhD, and Associate Dean for Comprehensive Care here at UT says the conversation at the Dell Medical School is actually about getting people healthier more resourcefully.
Siddhartha Mukherjee Gives McGovern Lecture in Health Communication
By Center Director, Mike Mackert
On Monday, April 24th Siddhartha Mukherjee gave the McGovern Lecture in Health Communication, which recognizes someone doing outstanding communication related to health, medicine, and public health.
McGovern Lecture in Health Communication with Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee
Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee, Pulitzer Prize winner and author of The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer and The Gene, presents the McGovern Lecture in Health Communication.
Assistant Director Position Available!
The Center for Health Communication (CHC) at the University of Texas at Austin is seeking applicants to fill an Assistant Director position, beginning immediately.
From the New Director
Michael Mackert, PhD, has been appointed the new director of the Center for Health Communication. This role will launch the center’s official move under both Moody College of Communication and Dell Medical School, an exciting partnership through which both schools will share oversight and support of the center. Read Dr. Mackert’s thoughts on the center and what is coming next with health communication at UT.
We're Hiring!
The Center for Health Communication (CHC) at the University of Texas at Austin is seeking applicants to fill a Postdoctoral Scholar position, beginning June 2017.
March 2017 News
"Change the Culture, Build Resilience"
By Carrie Barron PhD, David Ring MD, PhD, & Matt McGlone PhD
People choose medicine because they want to help. It takes hard work, intelligence and altruism to become a doctor. Helping others in a time of need is fulfilling. It might be argued that there is no higher form of meaning and purpose than helping others get and stay healthy. So it’s sad that an average of 45% of doctors report experiencing limited joy in their practice. In some specialties such as Emergency Medicine the rate is close to 70%.
HCSP Award Recipients
The Health Communication Scholars Program is excited to announce three funded proposals this year. The funded PIs and projects are:
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Millie Harrison:
On-Site Self-Service Technology and the Patient Experience: Exploring the Use, Perceptions, and Impact of a Clinic Check-In Kiosk
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Lingzi Zhong:
Examining Genetic Counselors' Dialectical Tensions when Communicating with Hereditary Cancer Patients
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Chibuokem Amuneke-Nze:
Investigating Metabolic Syndrome and Perceptions of Health Management in Underserved Men from a Medical Intervention and Communication Theory Perspective
