BRENTWOOD, Tenn. & CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Former HCA executive and Tennessean business editor Emme Nelson Baxter has joined national healthcare communications and engagement firm Jarrard Phillips Cate & Hancock. The firm has also promoted colleague Aileen Bennett to the role of Senior Advisor, officials announced today.
“Emme’s rich background as a journalist, a healthcare industry executive and an entrepreneur reflects the broad experiences our clients need today,” says David Jarrard, the firm’s President and CEO. “She brings an added dimension to our bench of great professionals who now serve clients across the nation.”
Prior to joining Jarrard, Baxter was principal of Nelson Baxter Communications, LLC, where she provided advice and counsel on media relations, crisis communications, employee communications and campaign development. Her career in journalism included 10 years as business editor for The Tennessean newspaper in Nashville and a stint as a Money reporter at USA TODAY.
She later served as Director of Corporate Communications for HCA, the world’s largest hospital company and the lynchpin of Nashville’s vibrant healthcare community. At HCA, she focused on internal communications during a period of dramatic change for the company that included a federal investigation, restructuring, downsizing, spinoffs and the successful rebranding of the corporation.
“In the past 10 years, Jarrard has evolved into the nation’s leading strategic communications and engagement firm focusing exclusively on providers. I relish the challenge of working on tightly focused issue-management campaigns and long-term transformational initiatives with Jarrard’s impressive national roster of healthcare systems,” says Baxter.
“At the same time, I look forward to cultivating Nashville – America’s healthcare industry capital – as a client. My experiences in journalism, corporate communications and even as a seventh-generation Nashvillian have indoctrinated me well into the high-stakes, perpetually changing world of healthcare. I am energized to focus now exclusively on that sector with this absolutely stellar team.”
In addition, Jarrard Inc. promoted Bennett from Advisor to Senior Advisor. Bennett, who joined the firm two years ago, is an experienced advisor with a passion for using political thinking to guide clients through mergers, acquisitions and partnerships, as well as change management campaigns.
“Aileen’s work is indicative of the experience, flexibility and thoughtful approach needed to lead health systems through times of change, challenge and opportunity in today’s transformative healthcare environment,” Jarrard says. “We’re delighted for Aileen and privileged to have her as part of our team.”
Previously, Bennett managed communications, marketing, student recruitment and event planning for the Institute for Sustainable Practice at Lipscomb University. Prior to that, she assisted with strategic communication efforts for clients in the healthcare, nonprofit, restaurant and retail industries while at public relations and advertising firm DVL Seigenthaler.
“I’m honored to be promoted to the role of Senior Advisor,” says Bennett. “Throughout my tenure with the firm, I’ve enjoyed serving clients across the country who are facing high-stakes challenges and significant opportunities, including those who are navigating the complex world of healthcare partnerships. I’m thrilled to continue this work as the industry continues to evolve.”
Bennett began her career with internships at Belmont University’s Office of Communications, where she assisted with public relations including work on the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate. She also interned in the Nashville and Washington, D.C., offices of U.S. Sen. Bob Corker.
About Jarrard Inc.
Based in Nashville, Tenn., with an office in Chicago, Jarrard Phillips Cate & Hancock, Inc. is the nation’s premier strategic communications and public affairs firm for healthcare providers experiencing a time of significant change, challenge or opportunity. The firm publishes healthcare newsletter Inside Baseball and ranks among the top 15 healthcare PR firms in the U.S. As a member of The Advisory Board, the firm is part of a collaborative effort to elevate performance and solve some of healthcare’s most pressing issues. For more information, visit jarrardinc.com or follow us @JarrardInc or @Jarrard_IB.
