Rhys Saunders Email & Phone Number

Springfield, IL, US

Rosemont, Illinois, United States

• Manage the development and implementation of the Academy’s national media relations activities to position the specialty of dermatology and educate the public and patients about the diagnosis and treatment of skin.
• Proactively develop positive relationships with media covering health, wellness, and the business of medicine in support of the Academy’s strategic priorities and goals
• Monitor current issues impacting dermatology and respond to national and local media inquiries for information and interviews daily
• Manage the Academy’s senior public relations specialist

Chicago, Illinois, United States

• Led the integrated strategic communications and marketing plans for American Medical Association’s Professional Satisfaction and Practice Sustainability (PS2) group
• Managed PS2’s communications efforts to identify, support, and grow the models of care delivery and payment that promote the long-term sustainability of and satisfaction with medical practice
• Utilized practice science, quality payment methodologies, and operational data from across PS2’s work streams to inform AMA’s market strategy and brand positioning
• Collaborated with other AMA units and external partners to leverage PS2’s resources, products and services to further advocacy and media efforts

• Led organization’s communications strategy
• Supervised the association’s graphic designer
• Managed social media and Illinois Lawyer Now, the association’s member blog aggregation site
• Served as primary spokesperson and oversee media outreach

• Managed the association’s social media strategy and online presence
• Edited and published content for the organization’s blog, Illinois Lawyer Now
• Contributed articles to the association’s award-winning monthly magazine, the Illinois Bar Journal
• Oversaw media outreach and served as primary spokesperson for the association

Chicago, Illinois

• Served as primary contact for all Academy media communication, including in spokesperson role for Academy-focused media interviews
• Initiated and maintained relationships with reporters, editors, bloggers and other news media
• Managed volunteer media spokesperson program, including application and selection process, media trainings, development of talking points and administrative maintenance
• Developed media presence and publicity materials for Kids Eat Right Month, National Nutrition Month, Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo and other Academy events

Arlington Heights, Illinois

• Spearheaded public and member education campaigns that promote the specialty of colorectal surgery and increase public awareness of colon cancer prevention
• Managed and created content for the ASCRS website and social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn
• Drafted and implemented strategic integrated marketing and communications plan for the organization
• Crafted member retention and recruitment materials

Chicago, Illinois

• Managed communications for the ADA’s top public affairs initiative, Action for Dental Health
• Oversaw the creation and dissemination of communications toolkits for public affairs projects
• Crafted social media messaging for public affairs initiatives across key platforms, including Facebook and Twitter
• Wrote about and promoted grassroots programs that highlight the ADA’s efforts to improve dental health

Arlington Heights, Illinois

• Led external communications and media relations efforts
• Implemented strategic communications plans for the college
• Prepared talking points focused on the organization’s top priorities for volunteer leaders
• Created and grew social media platforms, including Facebook and Twitter

Springfield, Illinois

• Covered criminal, legal, government and school issues, as well as features
• Developed enterprise articles focused on community crime trends
• Provided breaking news coverage for the newspaper’s print and online editions
• Examined how public schools in Sangamon County measured up to federal testing standards

Farmington, New Mexico

• Covered crime and courts for San Juan County and City of Farmington
• Investigated public records availability and claims of racial profiling in the police department
• Created a more open relationship between local police department and news media
• Contributed weekly articles about local and regional music to Arts & Entertainment section

Bachelor'S Degree, English Writing

Study Abroad