Northwest Hand Specialists, Inc., P.S.

February 21, 2008
Contact: , APR
LaBrue Communications
E-mail: tlabrue@comcast.net

Public Relations Society Awards Top Honors to MEND Prompt Injury Care Clinic

Totem Award for clever opening campaign

SHORELINE, WA – The Puget Sound Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PSRA) presented its highest honor, the Totem Award, yesterday to the MEND Prompt Injury Care Clinic for its introductory communications program.

The opening campaign featured jumbo color images of injured hands, shoulders, feet, and knees with the headline: Get ‘em fixed. Fast. Media included outdoor billboards, newspaper ads, and direct mailers aimed at residents in North Seattle and South Snohomish county.

We are very pleased to be recognized by the public relations industry for the comprehensive and creative approach we took for the MEND campaign, said , APR, of LaBrue Communications and creative director of the campaign. Over the years, consumers in the area have seen many campaigns in the healthcare category. This public awareness campaign broke new ground in its personal communications that involved a special-edition news tabloid and testimonial Internet communications.

MEND Clinic is an expansion of one of the Puget Sound region’s leading hand and upper extremity surgery clinics, Northwest Hand Specialists. Its North Seattle facilities include the latest technologies in diagnostic and digital X-ray imaging tools, and encompass one of the region’s largest therapy programs for the hand, wrist, elbows and shoulders.. MEND’s flagship practice at 19930 Ballinger Way NE, in Shoreline, includes a 15,400 sq. ft. state-of-the-art surgery center that features EMR capabilities with access to MRIs, X-rays, intra-operative photography, labs and EKGs.

Since the launch of MEND, we have experienced an increase in patients and awareness, said Dr. Michael A. Santoro, medical director of MEND. Our target audience is embracing our patient-focused attention and the convenience of extended office hours. LaBrue Communications definitely helped us craft messages that exceed our expectations, he added.

Issaquah-based LaBrue Communications is a full-service marketing communications firm that was founded in 1989. It was recognized at the annual PRSA Totem Awards banquet at the Seattle Aquarium among 68 other entries. Specializing in healthcare, travel and tourism, and other business-to-consumer categories, the award-winning company employs nine associates. The firm can be reached at 425-427-8481.

Edwin D. Vyhmeister MD, C. Hendrik Kirchhoff MD and Harold J. Kirkpatrick MD - Providing services in hand and wrist injury surgery, tennis elbow and shoulder therapy and tendinitis treatment to the areas of Everett and Seattle, Washington.