Nick Hanson, Gillette Children’s public affairs and media relations manager, has been named a Rising Star by the Society of Health Care Strategy and Market Development (SHSMD).
The SHSMD Rising Star recognizes health care strategy professionals under the age of 40 who have demonstrated outstanding promise in their respective fields. This recognition shines a spotlight on SHSMD members who have made or are on their way to making significant contributions to their profession and the SHSMD membership.
These 13 individuals are distinguished by being highly successful within their organizations as well as within our field and they are on a trajectory for future success, according to SHSMD. They exemplify core values, such as integrity, inspirational behavior, leadership, and demonstrated commitment to advancing the profession through innovative work.
Hanson has been working in health care communications for more than 15 years at institutions including the University of Minnesota Academic Health Center, the University of Minnesota Medical School, Mayo Clinic and Gillette Children's. Hanson has expertise in crisis communication, public affairs campaigns, social media strategy and management, media relations, digital strategy and corporate communications. He has led media and social media campaigns that have resonated across the globe. Hanson also spent time in the agency world.
He started his career as an education reporter at the St. Cloud Times and Mankato Free Press. He is currently the President of the Minnesota Healthcare Strategy and Communications Network (MHSCN), a SHSMD affiliated organization. During his time on the board, he has recruited members to join the board from the major Minnesota health care organizations including HealthPartners, Allina, Mayo Clinic, M Health Fairview and Medica.
During COVID-19, in collaboration with MHSCN and Gillette, Hanson helped launch a series of well-attended webinars on subjects such as a playbook for launching enlightening salons in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, employee and physician mental health and burnout and digital and social media strategies to engage patients virtually.