Kaiser Permanente Communicators Honored by PR News

Top Talent Recognized as Industry Leaders

OAKLAND, Calif. — PR News recognized several members of Kaiser Permanente’s public relations team at the 2010 PR People Awards yesterday. Senior Vice President Diane Gage Lofgren (@dianelofgren) was inducted into the PR News Hall of Fame, and national media and public relations consultant Laura Dunn (@CUgirl481) was selected as one of “15-to-Watch” in the industry. Holly Potter (@htpotter), vice president of public relations, was a finalist for Digital Communications Leader of the Year, and Patrice Smith, director of stakeholder management, was a finalist for Nonprofit PR Professional of the Year. More than 100 PR professionals celebrated the winners at a ceremony at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

“At Kaiser Permanente, delivering world-class communications that promote our brand is our top priority. Our team of public relations professionals continues to raise the bar on what is possible,” said Gage Lofgren. “We are extremely gratified by these honors and to have our work recognized by our peers.”

The coveted PR News PR People and 15-to-Watch Awards showcase the innovators and passionate professionals who day in, day out are making communications matter in the marketplace. The winners of this annual program set the benchmark for excellence across all areas of PR. The awards programs draw hundreds of entries each year and highlight some of the top talent in the PR profession.

“Success in public relations is dependent upon people, their creativity, and the ability to adapt to an ever-changing media and social landscape,” said Potter. “Kaiser Permanente employs an extended team of exceptional people, and I am proud to work with them each day.”

Earlier this year, Kaiser Permanente was named a Best Place to Work in PR, a 2010 Digital PR Team of the Year and Nonprofit PR Team of the Year by PR News.

To see examples of Kaiser Permanente’s innovative and creative public relations work, please visit our YouTube channel, national Twitter handle and our Facebook page. Kaiser Permanente’s News Center, at www.kp.org/newscenter, also provides a variety of Kaiser Permanente related news, podcasts and slideshows.

Profiles of the award winners appear this month in PR News. Please visit www.prnewsonline.com for more information.

About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 8.6 million members in nine states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to: www.kp.org/newscenter.