[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]When I first connected with Enable Injections, I had no idea companies and technology like them even existed - but I visited their facility, sat with their leadership team, and shared my patient perspective for this SAP feature for Forbes.com - and I was impressed with how they are thinking, and what they are building, every step of the way.
As a patient, the infusion experience can be quite enjoyable, to be honest (as I discuss in these medication videos) - so what a technology like this would do for patients is just free up constraints of time, appointments, and hours committed to a chair.
Update: This campaign was awarded 8 Telly Awards in 2020
"It’s great to see something like this come to life and come to market,” said Starshak. “As a chronic illness patient, I think it’s important for us to be able to control what we can and make things easy when we can, because we’re never going to be able to control all of it.” [read full piece/video on Forbes.com]
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Patient advocacy definitely feels like a second job, much of the time. (or full time job. with overtime.) Advocates and patient leaders who have stepped up to this role are working as marketing and communications professionals, whether the realize it or not. Depending on their own advocate brand, they are also taking on work such as policy, mental health, education, and support. Throw in some 'regular' life things such as traditional employment, families and relationships, and managing our own health, and it's downright overwhelming. (more…)
[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_video link="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgqqGq9Jyf0"][vc_column_text]Don't tell anyone, but I felt the pressure going into Camp Oasis 2019. In addition to leading the LIT program, I wasn't sure I could top last year's video - What is an Oasis? The '18 LIT class was full of talent and outgoing energy. (more…)
Remission from a chronic disease such as Ulcerative Colitis is (short of a cure) a good thing, which is probably why it took some time to figure out how to approach it in writing. This stage in the disease journey also contains some identity crisis, some guilt, and some figuring out how to live, knowing it's not the end of the story.
Experts by Experience is a joint campaign by Mayo Clinic and Inspire.com, where patients affected by serious diseases are given a platform to address some of the important topics that they want both physicians, and communities, to better understand. I'm honored to have contributed on this platform.
"The period of adjustment to remission is real. I learned to find my identity as someone in remission, while finding a way to connect authentically and respectfully with the same IBD community that had carried me for so long. Finally, I was happy and healthy.
That’s when another unexpected emotion hit—guilt. Survivor’s guilt. Remission guilt. [read full piece on MayoClinic.org]
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[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Whether we're talking branding for your advocacy channel, or more personal branding, grasping the basics is important to getting this very essential foundation laid right.
Many people come into this space with a naive perception of what a brand really is - or, the term 'brand' can feel very corporate and one dimensional. But (more…)
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Who is your audience(s)?
Where do they live (social. web. long form. video. in person)?
What do they want to know?
Why should they come to you?
Why should they come to you instead of other sources?
What should they do next?
In the health space, it's still a big word - but let's break it down to something a bit more manageable. Strategy comes in a lot of flavors and scopes for different companies, but considering some basic concepts can help bring direction to the larger mission that many health advocates are working towards.
For the sake of this conversation, let's consider strategy as the following: Your strategy is simply how people get to you, what they do when they get there, and the actions they take based on that experience. (more…)
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Business cards have been around forever, yet with all the emphasis on the digital space, they have endured as a meaningful part of our brand communications.
If you've ever been to a conference, education, or networking event, you've likely exchanged cards with other advocates. This one printed piece in a digital space is such a great foundation - it's often a first impression that carries a relatively long life span.
Considering some elements to your card can help to set you apart, make you memorable, and drive future action - whether someone's looking for valuable content from that one MS advocate they once met, or booking the keynote speaker for their next event. (more…)
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Going after a goal such as qualifying for the Boston Marathon is a big deal. Doing it within the window of remission makes it an even bigger deal. I was honored to have Outdoor Wisconsin on Milwaukee PBS follow my story as I trained for the 2017 Lakefront Marathon while being sure to keep an eye on my greater health. (more…)
[vc_row gap="25"][vc_column width="1/2" css=".vc_custom_1635361095600{padding-right: 20px !important;}"][vc_video link="https://meganstarshak.wistia.com/medias/1a7ja8d4mr?wtime=9s"][vc_column_text]Reach out to me to request the password for this presentation.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Role: Presenting Speaker
Client: HealtheVoices Conference
Impact: Highest rated feedback on attendee surveys
Project Notes: Session attendance reached full capacity before the conference opened.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
"Megan is an excellent speaker and presenter. Her presentation on Branding was extremely well received and rated as one of the most inspirational and engaging sessions at the meeting. She is an inspirational communicator and storyteller."
Business Unit Communication Leader, Janssen Pharmaceuticals
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"After attending a workshop led by Megan, I began to think of branding in a different light. Megan emphasized the value of being authentic and bringing both professionalism and personality to a brand, which helped me conceptualize what I wanted for my own individual brand. She has since helped me by reviewing aspects of my budding brand as an extension of my personal identity. I cannot speak more highly of Megan as she is clearly an expert when it comes to not only developing a concept of a brand but really, diving deep and thinking through all the nuances that lead up to developing one that’s in true alignment with our personal vision."
Public Health Advocate, Session Attendee
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_column_text]The Branding: More than a Logo presentation that I gave at HealtheVoices did more than explain. (more…)
