Kaiser Permanente Northwest Appoints New Executive Director of Communications and Public Relations
PORTLAND, Ore., March 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Kaiser Permanente Northwest announced today the appointment of Jay Gusick as executive director of Brand Strategy, Communications and Public Relations.
In this new role, Gusick will be responsible for brand management, corporate communications, public relations, media relations, community events, and creative services functions, including the expansion of social media and mobile communications strategy.
Gusick comes to Kaiser Permanente with more than 26 years of experience in public relations and integrated marketing communications in agency, corporate and non-profit health care environments. He spent the last two decades at Seattle-based Group Health Cooperative, where he served as the executive director, Brand, Communications, and Public Relations.
“We are delighted to have Jay join our leadership team,” said Sue Hennessy, vice president, Strategy and Health Plan Services, Kaiser Permanente Northwest. “His proven leadership skills, experience and creativity will be great assets as we move forward in this exciting and challenging time for health care.”
“Jay’s expertise and many years of experience in brand management and public relations will make him a valued addition to the Northwest and to our national team of communicators,” said Diane Gage Lofgren, senior vice president, Brand Strategy, Communications and Public Relations, Kaiser Permanente.
“I’m excited to join Kaiser Permanente Northwest in building its brand, marketing, public relations and communications capabilities–helping advance its remarkable non-profit, integrated approach to health care and coverage,” said Gusick.
Gusick is a University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate, holding a bachelor of arts degree in Journalism, with an emphasis on public relations. He is a member of the Public Relations Society of America, Marketing Communications Executives International, and has been a volunteer at the Greater Seattle YMCA.
About Kaiser Permanente Northwest
Kaiser Permanente Northwest is part of America’s leading integrated health care organization. Founded in 1945, the organization serves the health needs of more than 8.9 million people in nine states and the District of Columbia. More than 480,000 people in Oregon and Southwest Washington receive their health care from Kaiser Permanente. A nonprofit health plan, Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. For more information, go to kp.org/newscenter.
For more information:
Dave Northfield, Kaiser Permanente
(503) 813-3967, David.T.Northfield@kp.org
SOURCE Kaiser Permanente Northwest
