Understanding People Is Key For Healthcare Outreach Project Manager
Chelsea Soobitsky has always had a goal for being a top-notch communicator. Additionally, she has a continued interest in helping others live healthier. Becoming involved in healthcare communications as a college intern in Washington, DC eventually cultivated her interest in becoming the Outreach and Project Manager at Sheppard Pratt Healthcare System in Towson. This position utilizes all her interests.
Soobitsky received a Bachelor of Arts in communication, with a focus in public relations from the University of Maryland, College Park. She minored in leadership studies. Marketing, public relations, meeting planning and research and development have all played a part in her versatile role.
What are your responsibilities as the Outreach and Project manager?
"It is my responsibility to represent Sheppard Pratt Health System and its specialized programs at both the local and national level. As such, I frequently travel and exhibit at community and professional events, including conferences, continuing education events, awareness walks or community block parties to share our resources and engage with the community. I am tasked with being knowledgeable about the many different diagnoses we see, having a top-line understanding of the different treatment and therapy options and being able to relay what makes our health system unique and special. I also work with the rest of the marketing team to create informational materials and educational resources for many audiences and in many formats--print, web, video, signage, etc., as well as form relationships and liaise with other organizations."
What is your favorite part about your daily duties?
"It's amazingly empowering that everyone working at Sheppard Pratt Health System can have very different jobs and specialties, and yet we're all unified by this overarching goal to fight stigma and help those with mental illness get well and stay well."
How has your education and training prepared you for your current role?
"What I found most valuable in my education were the technical writing and communication skills I developed, and the ability to work with a lot of different people. It was also amazingly helpful in school to gain an understanding of people, their different work styles and personalities, as I'm always meeting and engaging with new and interesting people."
What do you do to continue your education and training?
"I've found that the events I attend as part of my outreach role contribute significantly to my education. I'm always learning through conversation with community members and other organizations. From a marketing perspective, my team and I attend conferences and networking events to share experiences and further our knowledge."
Do you have any advice for others looking to enter this field?
"If possible, combine your education with a passion and/or a hobby. If you believe in your organization's mission, you're going to love what you do, and if you love what you do, you will likely have a positive experience connecting with others, which is key in the outreach field."
Laura Catherine Hermoza has a lifelong love for writing. In addition to serving as a contributor to various media publications, she is also a published novelist of several books and works as a proofreader/editor. LC resides in Baltimore County.
