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GIA 2004 Excellence Winner

Left to right: Gary Snyder, Sue Jablonski, Ann Stephens and Ginny Halloran

Special Projects or Programs - Public Relations

The Ohio State University Medical Center

Biomedical Research Week

Recognizing that infrastructure investments are critical in establishing premier research institutions, the Ohio State University (OSU) Medical Center recently decided to build a new "Biomedical Research Tower" (BRT). However, instead of going the traditional route and holding a simple groundbreaking ceremony to advertise the building's arrival, the medical center hosted a "Biomedical Research Week" to generate press interest and greater public awareness of research issues. More than 40 medical center and university employees participated in this effort, the success of which exceeded expectations.

Goals

Since the BRT will be a state-of-the-art facility supporting breakthrough research, the medical center staff decided to focus on messages regarding the future of research and the growth of research at the OSU Medical Center. Messages would be conveyed via the following routes:

Daily research symposiums: Attendance goal of 50 per session
Keynote research symposium: Attendance goal of 200
BRT groundbreaking: Attendance goal of 150
Center for Knowledge Management: Attendance goal of 150
News coverage messaging the value of biomedical research and the breadth of such activities at OSU Medical Center now and in the future

Results

Daily research symposiums: Attendance averaged 75 people
Keynote research symposium: Total attendance of 450
BRT groundbreaking: Approximately 175 people attended, including legislators, administrators, donors and VIPs
Center for Knowledge Management: More than 400 people toured the new center and visited the displays
News coverage: Groundbreaking coverage included all local TV stations, numerous local radio stations, and local news and business publications.

Read the full narrative (Word document)

Contact: Sue Jablonski, Chief Communications Officer, jablonski.7@osu.edu

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