Ketchum's Nancy Hicks Honored with PRSA Health Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award

Frank J. Weaver Award Recognizes 'Outstanding Contributions to the Field of Health Care Public Relations' Through Hicks' 25-year Career

WASHINGTON, May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and Ketchum today announced that Nancy Hicks has received the PRSA Health Academy's Frank J. Weaver Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her 25 years of exemplary client work and leadership in health care public relations.

The award has special significance for Hicks, senior vice president and associate director of Ketchum's North American Healthcare Practice. Before joining Ketchum, she served on the Health Academy's Board, where she recommended the development of the Weaver Award and nominated its first recipient.

"Nancy embodies all that should be prerequisite for a PRSA Health Academy Lifetime Achievement Award: a curious intellect, a creative mind, a collaborative style and a committed heart," wrote Dr. Claudia Morrissey, president of the American Medical Women's Association, in recommending Hicks for the award.

Over the course of Hicks's distinguished career, the past eight years of which have been at Ketchum's Washington, D.C., office, she has launched landmark campaigns, counseled industry CEOs, served on the boards of many nonprofit organizations and published numerous articles. Among her many career highlights:

• She developed one of the nation's first campaigns on women and heart disease, for which her client, the Washington Hospital Center, won a PRSA "Silver Anvil" award;
• She conducted a national campaign on incontinence, in partnership with the American Foundation for Urologic Disease, widely credited for heightening awareness of this important health issue;
• She worked with the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists on a diabetes awareness program that targeted at-risk minority populations and lowered the recommended screening age;
• She co-authored the book "Branding Health Services: Defining Yourself in the Marketplace," published in 2000 by Aspen Press.

Hicks currently is writing a book on health care public relations that will be used as a professional reference book and college textbook.

PRSA presents the Lifetime Achievement Award annually to "an individual who, during the course of his or her career, has made outstanding contributions to the field of health care public relations and changed the practice of public relations in America."

"This award is a true celebration of Nancy's career and a recognition of all the strength, wisdom and dedication she has brought to the field of health care PR," said Liz McLean, partner and director of Ketchum's Washington, D.C., office. "From launching the first agency patient advocacy group to her development of groundbreaking communications programs in women's health, she has proven her leadership abilities time and again. We are very lucky to have her at Ketchum."

"Nancy is the consummate professional who puts her clients' needs before all others," said Linda Eatherton, partner and director of Ketchum's Global Food & Nutrition Practice. "She truly understands and practices the fine art of service in a way few achieve. Her extensive knowledge and professional experience in the health care industry helps her see 'around corners' and quickly identify the deeper insights and opportunities that form truly great programs and campaigns. We are so fortunate to have Nancy in our practice leadership team. She sets a high bar for others to aspire to reach."

About the PRSA Health Academy

The PRSA Health Academy promotes excellence in communications and an educational dialogue across the entire health care industry for the professional enhancement of its members. Seeking to enhance the quality and stature of health care public relations, the members of the Health Academy represent a variety of health-care-related organizations including hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers, pharmaceutical companies, public relations agencies, device manufacturers, biotech companies, medical and dental associations, health plans, managed care organizations, insurance companies, long-term rehabilitation facilities, alternative and complementary health organizations, health education and research organizations, foundations, and government health units. The Health Academy offers its members an opportunity to address the latest issues facing health care public relations and the health care industry.

About Ketchum

A communications innovator, Ketchum ranks among the largest global public relations agencies, operating in more than 50 countries. With five global practices -- Brand Marketing, Corporate, Healthcare, Food & Nutrition, and Technology -- and specialty capabilities that include Access Communications (high- and consumer-tech PR), Concentric Communications (experiential marketing, events and meetings), MMG (clinical trial recruitment), Ketchum Global Research Network, Ketchum Sports and Entertainment Marketing, and Stromberg Consulting (change management and workplace communications), Ketchum leverages its marketing and corporate communication expertise to build brands and reputations for clients. In 2009, Advertising Age named Ketchum to its annual "Ones to Watch" Agency A-List, noting the agency's long-standing client partnerships, digital and disruptive media expertise, and CSR and sustainability programming. For more information on Ketchum, a unit of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC), visit www.ketchum.com.

SOURCE Ketchum Public Relations

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