West Kendall Baptist Hospital Wins National Award for Excellence in Consumer Services Marketing

MIAMI, June 11, 2012 – West Kendall Baptist Hospital, the newest hospital to join the Baptist Health South Florida family, has earned recognition in the Public Relations Society of America’s 2012 Silver Anvil Awards competition. The annual event honors organizations that have successfully addressed a contemporary public relations issue with exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness. Entries are evaluated for their strategic nature using four key components: research, planning, execution and evaluation. The awards were presented in New York on June 7.

The hospital, along with República, its marketing and communications agency, earned the Silver Anvil Award in the Health Care Services division of the Consumer Services Marketing category. The Baptist Health and República teams collaborated to develop a multifaceted, bilingual, integrated communications program to introduce West Kendall Baptist Hospital to the surrounding area, educate residents and businesses about its services and differentiate it from its competitors and other Baptist Health facilities.

“Our success at West Kendall Baptist Hospital has drawn on the talents of leaders and staff across the entire Baptist Health network, including our corporate marketing team,” said Roymi Membiela, Baptist Health South Florida’s corporate vice president of Marketing and Public Relations. “Expert marketing of our facilities and services supports the delivery of quality healthcare throughout the entire region.”

“We are proud to share in this award with Baptist Health,” said Jorge A. Plasencia, chairman and chief executive officer of República. “We believe in great work, great people and great clients, which naturally results in great growth. Our success and partnership with Baptist Health is a shining example of our philosophy.”

“This Silver Anvil win is rooted in the research and planning that began many years before the hospital opened. Our advance team worked hard to identify and address this area’s unique healthcare needs,” said Javier Hernández-Lichtl, chief executive officer of West Kendall Baptist Hospital. “We also owe a special thanks to the residents and businesses of the West Kendall community who have responded so positively to the hospital since our opening in April 2011.”

PRSA’s Silver Anvil Awards program has grown in scope and stature since its inception in 1946, and awards are now given in 59 categories and subcategories. In the 60-plus-year history of the Silver Anvils, many organizations have been recognized, including solo practitioners, agencies of all sizes, large and small businesses, top corporations, nonprofits, associations and government agencies.

About West Kendall Baptist Hospital
The newest member of the not-profit Baptist Health South Florida family, West Kendall Baptist Hospital is a LEED Gold Certified, patient- and family-centered facility serving one of South Florida’s most vibrant, youthful and fast-growing communities. Beginning in 2013, the hospital will be home to an accredited family practice residency program through its affiliation with Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. To learn more, please visit WestKendallBaptistHospital.com.