Office of Communications and Marketing Garners Awards in Public Relations Competition

The Office of Communications and Marketing at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center shines light on the myriad accomplishments of the university community. The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Memphis Chapter recently provided the university's communications professionals time in the spotlight.

The Office of Communications and Marketing walked away with recognition in three categories at the 2025 PRSA VOX Awards this month at the Pink Palace Museum & Mansion. With a record 100 entries for the competition, UT Health Science Center communicators took home two Gold Awards and a finalist honor.

Held annually, the VOX Awards recognize excellence in public relations and communications, honoring outstanding campaigns, tactics, and professionals in the public and private sector. Award categories include the VOX Award, first place; and Gold Award, second place.

"The deep expertise and dedication on our small but mighty team is evident," says Karla Leeper, PhD, vice chancellor for Strategic Communications and Marketing at UT Health Science Center. "I'm delighted to be working with such creative, diligent experts deservedly earning recognition in the community."

The 2024-2025 Annual Report won a Gold Award in the tactics category for annual reports. Realizing Our Vision: The University of Tennessee Health Science Center 2024-2025 Annual Report includes authentic imagery, powerful messaging, and impactful data about how faculty, staff, and students advance the institution's vision through academics, clinical care, research, community outreach, and philanthropy. The report showcases the university's progress on its 2023-28 Strategic Plan, puts a focus on its growing statewide presence, and highlights its research excellence with its new R1 designation among top-tier research institutions.

Peggy Reisser, strategic communications manager, and Chris Green, strategic communications specialist, produced the content for the Annual Report, while Adam Gaines, creative services manager, designed the publication, and Caleb Jia, photographer/videographer, provided photography.

For media relations, the team publicized the outstanding collaborative work of the physicians who performed the first of its kind "Jaw in a Day" surgery in the Mid-South. The surgery involved removing an advanced tumor from the face of a teenage patient and fully reconstructing the jaw in a single day.

The "Jaw in a Day" campaign won a Gold Award in the tactics category for media relations in associations, nonprofits, or government. The project entailed comprehensive research, collaboration, reporting, photography, design, HIPAA compliance, and extensive media distribution. This effort resulted in widespread coverage and engagement, generating national publicity.

Led by Green, the storytelling package also involved work by Reisser and Sarah Farley, formerly at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare.

Reisser was also a finalist for the prestigious PR Star Award, which recognizes a current public relations practitioner with more than three years of experience, whose work has been exceptional and is active in professional organizations or community service.