Golin Health

As a healthcare communications professional, my work isn't just a job—it's deeply personal. Eight years ago, my breast cancer diagnosis transformed October from a month of fall festivities into a powerful reminder of my journey. I'll never forget receiving that call, my hands trembling as I processed the word "cancer"—a word that suddenly became very real.   That June 2016 surgery began my battle, filled with uncertainty but surrounded by extraordinary support. Through messages, encouragement, and support from friends and colleagues who became my pillars of strength, I persevered. Thanks to early detection, I caught it in time. After 7 years of treatment, I am cancer-free—words that still fill me with profound gratitude.   My message is clear: schedule your annual mammogram. I share my story not for sympathy, but as testimony to how early detection saved my life and could save yours. Working in healthcare has become my calling, allowing me to advocate for others while being part of a company that truly understands the importance of wellness. Each project carries the empathy and understanding that comes from walking this path myself.   Looking back, my cancer journey shaped me into a stronger advocate and more empathetic professional. I've found purpose in sharing my story through various breast cancer organizations and support groups, knowing that each shared experience could give hope or courage to another patient or survivor. At Golin Health, my experience as a survivor gives profound meaning to our work—I know firsthand that healthcare communication isn't just about messages, it's about people facing real challenges. Behind every initiative we create, someone is fighting their own battle, just as I did.   #BreastCancerAwareness #EarlyDetectionSavesLives #HealthcareAdvocacy #fightingpretty

Healthcare marketing takes an unexpected turn in 2024, blending humor with heart to tackle serious issues. Discover how a clever campaign turned misheard lyrics into a powerful message about hearing health and learn why strategic audience research is the secret ingredient in award-winning creative that resonates and drives real results, as shared by Lauren de Vlaming, EVP, Strategy, Golin Health and Smitha Piedilato EVP, Executive Creative Director, Golin Health. #GoAllIn

In honor of #WorldThrombosisDay being on my birthday this year, I’m proud to work at a company like Golin Health that recognizes the importance of these disease awareness milestones. For me, a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) provoked by a knee injury was devastating—but by getting the care I needed I was blessed to be able to bounce back and do what I love: hitting the slopes with my family this past winter. I stand with all people who might have a similar story, and by sharing mine, it can be a reminder to never stop hoping.

I woke up at 4am today, my mind racing with tomorrow’s to-dos. Ten years ago this happened almost daily and I could not go back to sleep because I would spiral into a panic about not getting enough sleep and not being able to do what I had to do the next day. It was a vicious cycle and, unfortunately, an experience many people can relate to. I’m thankful to have found a yoga practice that helps me accept that intrusive thoughts are part of the human experience and teaches me coping techniques to clear my mind when they creep in at the worst possible times. While I strongly believe mental health is a continuum and yoga certainly isn’t the solution for everyone, work is undeniably a contributing factor to our mental health and we all need to support ourselves and our teams to manage the stress that is inherent to having a job. The theme of this year’s #WorldMentalHealthDay – established by WFMH World Federation for Mental Health – is “It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace.” According to the World Health Organization, depression and anxiety alone result in the loss of approximately 12 billion workdays each year, and these impacts can easily become impossible to manage when someone is living with a mental health condition. I’m grateful to work at Golin Health, where our leaders have invited NAMI to share their tips for supporting our mental health at work and in our lives, because they are intertwined. While we openly discuss how to care for our mental health, we also acknowledge it’s far easier said than done. The endless pings, constant deluge of emails and breaking news alerts that invade our days can make it feel impossible to find peace. These are a few tips that I’ve found most helpful for prioritizing mental health at work: 1)     Remember that you don’t know what someone on your team is going through with work, family or world events. Make time to ask how someone is feeling and give them space to answer. 2)     Avoid assumptions and preconceptions at all costs. This one is HARD, especially in a virtual work environment, but keeping the lines of communication open can help us understand each other. 3)     Keep in mind that everyone processes stress in different ways, and the way we’re acting may not reflect how we’re actually feeling. Some of us are masters of deception in this department! I hope World Mental Health Day can serve as a reminder that everyone is going through something, and a little kindness and empathy can go a long way to helping us all get the support we need to maintain our mental health. #WHMD2024 #WhyWeWork

Work and #mentalhealth are closely linked. This is a great video ahead of #WorldMentalHealthDay, which theme this year is “Mental Health at Work". We call on all employers -- public and private sector, nongovernmental, intergovernmental and other organizations, to take their workers' mental health seriously and prioritise investments in creating safe, supportive and healthy environments. 📽️ ASICS

Congratulations to Golin SVP Kate Woodman on being named one of this year’s PRWeek’s 40 Under 40! 🥳  As a member of Golin Health’s senior leadership team, she is a contributor to our agency’s growth while establishing our healthcare practice as a unique brand within the agency.   Kate brings a deep understanding of our healthcare client’s business and out-of-the-box thinking to help deliver impactful work, work that contributed to Golin Health being recognized as PRWeek Healthcare’s Outstanding Agency Practice for two years running.   We are so #PRoud to see Kate shine at our agency and in her PR career. Cheers to Kate! 🥂 #GoAllIn #PRW40Under40

Starting my career in New York City in the early 2000s, “work hard, play hard,” were the words to live by and self-care was the furthest thing from my mind. Thankfully the world has changed immeasurably since then and we have days like #InternationalSelfCareDay to recognize that self-care can be practiced 24/7. While this is a lofty goal, it’s an important message in a world where taking care of ourselves is often at the bottom of our to-do list or not even on our radar.     Self-care has taken on numerous definitions in recent years, from relaxing with a glass of wine watching reality TV to dedicating entire vacation weeks to bespoke wellness retreats designed to reset our mind, body and spirit. While I don’t object to either of these examples, I believe that self-care truly comes down to giving our minds and bodies what they need to support us in our relationships, work and the other activities that get us out of bed every day.     For me, that means getting enough sleep, spending time in nature, being conscious of the food and drinks I’m putting into my body and how they affect me mentally and physically, and finding time for movement (hiking, biking, yoga and dancing) that relieves stress by bringing me some peace, joy and freedom.     In my work at Golin Health I’m constantly reminded of the integral role that self-care can have in managing our physical and mental health. While self-care isn’t a cure for disease, the impact that caring for ourselves can have on our physical and mental well-being is real and significant. As healthcare communicators we’re empowered to help people navigating uncharted waters in living with all types of conditions to understand this connection and how self-care can help support patients and caregivers.     #WhyWeWork