North Oaks Initiatives Earn Statewide Recognition from Louisiana Society of Hospital Public Relations & Marketing

The Louisiana Society of Hospital Public Relations and Marketing (LSHPRM) honored four North Oaks initiatives as best in state at the 32nd annual Pelican Awards program on Oct. 11 at the Crowne Plaza Executive Center in Baton Rouge.

The society also presented a Golden Pelican Award to Print & Production Coordinator Pam Cantrelle as Graphic Designer of the Year.

The health system’s website, www.northoaks.org, was recognized as the best in the state with the Pelican Award for “Web Initiatives—Multi-Hospital System.” The redesigned, interactive website launched in October 2012 and achieved a 111 percent increase in traffic in less than 6 months. In June 2013, a mobile version of the website was released.

Also winning Pelican Awards were two items created to promote the Open House for the expansion of North Oaks Medical Center in November 2012. The Open House Invitation earned the Pelican Award in the “Invitations & Cards” category for hospitals with more than 150 patient beds. Earning a Presentation Pelican Award was a 2-minute highlight video of the community celebration for the expansion. The video artfully encapsulated the 2 ½ hour event as an expression of appreciation to the 1,000+ guests who attended.

“Care as Unique as You Are” was the message of Magnolia Obstetrics & Gynecology Clinic’s Pelican Award-winning direct mail campaign. The piece was mailed in March 2013 to promote services in conjunction with expansion of the practice from one to two locations (Hammond and Walker).

Pam Cantrelle, an 8-year member of the North Oaks team, was honored for her passion for innovation, creativity and community service. Her nomination described how her ability to generate and introduce creative ideas enhanced the celebration surrounding the expansion of North Oaks Medical Center in November 2012. The expansion symbolized a “new direction” in health care for the region with a focus on patient privacy, advanced surgical services and a rapidly growing medical staff. In addition to her role as North Oaks’ Print & Production Coordinator, Pam serves as a board member—and was recently installed as chairman-elect—for OPTIONS, Inc., a non-profit organization that helps those with disabilities live and work in the community. She also is a 2012 graduate of Leadership Tangipahoa, a yearlong program that provides emerging leaders with insight about the inter-relationships of community systems.

LSHPRM is an affiliate society of the Louisiana Hospital Association. Each year, LSHPRM sponsors the Pelican Awards to recognize and encourage improvement in quality, effectiveness and impact of hospital communications, public relations and marketing.