There was a time…long, long ago, when I wasn't self-employed, although the memories are growing dim. After graduating from University of Southern Indiana in 1973, I worked as a Secretary for an International Projects Group at Babcock-Wilcox in Mt. Vernon, Indiana. The best things I took away from that experience were learning some of the German language and having the opportunity to later visit some of the friends I'd made in Germany.
Next, I worked in Public Relations for Welborn Hospital in Evansville, Indiana, where I was responsible for the bi-monthly magazine and an employee newsletter. After three years, I was hired as P.R. Consultant for a small agency, which gave me the impetus to join the ranks of the self-employed two years later. We pick things up in 1981, below. But first, I outline my newest ventures, as a blogger for healthcare, and as an online columnist about one of my favorite topics – travel.
Blogger, Ballywho Interactive
October 2009-Present
Currently write blogs for Ballywho Interactive.
Tropical Travel Online Columnist Examiner.com
May 2009-Present
National Tropical Travel Examiner
Link to Page: http://www.examiner.com/x-12498-Tropical-Travel-Examiner
Currently write articles on Tropical Travel for Examiner.com, an online news information source now in more than 170 U.S. cities and Canada.
Links to Selected Articles:
What does your ideal island vacation look like? Part I
Writer/Editor/Consultant (Self-Employed)
1981-Present
(See Projects pages for more details.)
Book Editor/Co-Author/Ghostwriter
Co-Author, 2008, “Goodbye, Fat Guy! How I Lost 200 Pounds and Built a New Life, One Day at a Time” by Starke Taylor with Debbra Dunning Brouillette (Zone Press, 2009)
Editor, 2007, "Stupid Boy, Wretched Man" by Rodd Brown
(Zone Press); Republished as “Dear Chris” (Iuniverse, 2008)
Editor, 2006, “Justice is Coming” by John Boundy
(Zone Press, 2008)
Feature Writer
2010 - Lifestyles of Denton County magazine
2008 - Home Connection magazine; FYI Newspaper,
Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas
2007 - Denton Lifestyles magazine, Denton, Texas
(renamed Lifestyles of Denton County)
Writer/Editor/Consultant
2008-present - Mardi Allen, Allen Coaching & Training, Corinth, TX - Publicity Materials, "Motivation" ezine, Marketing Consulting
Brochure Copywriter
2007, Denton Courthouse Museum brochure, Denton, Texas
Writer/Graphic Designer
2007 - Publicity Materials/Press Kit - Dr. M. Gambino, Bausch & Lomb Vision Shaping Treatment, See Better Dallas, Addison, Texas
Public Relations Consultant (Self-Employed),
Evansville, Indiana, 1981-2006
For 25 years, I was engaged in the concept and completion of writing, editing, photography, and graphic design projects for a number of clients in the Evansville, Indiana area, including Henderson, Kentucky, and other surrounding communities, with emphasis on the healthcare field. Past clients also included a travel agency, plastics companies, and other industries, for whom I served as writer/editor of employee newsletters, external magazines, brochures, and miscellaneous printed materials.
Public Relations Consultant, Methodist Hospital, Henderson, Kentucky, 1981-1999
Contracted Marketing Director, Methodist Hospital, Henderson, Kentucky, 1999-2006
From 1981-2006, I was affiliated with this 216-bed community hospital, producing a monthly employee newsletter and quarterly magazine, as well as all major hospital brochures, press releases, and marketing materials. In 1999, I assumed additional responsibilities as Marketing Director on a contracted basis, which involved liaison with the advertising agency to produce an annual marketing campaign. I was also involved on a department director level in all aspects of the hospital’s marketing function, including budget, research, special projects and coordination with Director of Planning & Foundation for fundraising materials, strategic planning, and public relations. I continue to provide consulting services to the hospital regarding their written materials.
Publications/Writing Experience by Subject
Healthcare
2009-present
Blogger for healthcare clients, Ballywho Interactive
1979-2006
Editor, Outreach quarterly magazine,
Methodist Hospital, Henderson, Kentucky
Writing and graphic design of communication/marketing magazine, including:
• Patient Success Stories
• Healthcare Technology
• Healthcare Specialty Areas
• Health Careers
• Health Administration (CEO columns)
• Planning, Fundraising, Special Events
1979-2006
Editor, Messenger monthly newsletter,
Methodist Hospital, Henderson, Kentucky
Writing and graphic design of employee/hospital family newsletter, including:
• Employee of the Month features
• Department spotlight features
• Event coverage
1976-79
Editor, Welborn World quarterly magazine,
Welborn Baptist Hospital, Evansville, Indiana
1977
O.R. Nursing magazine article, “Gallbladder Surgery”,
(ORNA) Operating Room Nurses Association’s national publication.
Travel
2009-present
Tropical Travel Examiner column, Examiner.com
2004
Evansville Living bi-monthly magazine, Evansville, Indiana,
“A Local Jammer,” article on Windjammer cruise, March/April 2004
1993-2000
Editor, Taking Off quarterly magazine, Haynie Travel, Evansville, Indiana, (American Express Travel Agency) – Feature articles on world travels by clients/agents
Christian
(Current) Story Editor, Denton Bible Church monthly magazine, Common Ground, Denton, Texas
(Past) Editor, The English Source bi-monthly newsletter,
for Michael English, Christian recording artist
Industry
(Past) Editor, newsletters for a number of industries including:
Faultless Caster, Wabash Plastics, Rexam Closures, Miller Block & Brick Co., U.S. Postal Service; writing/editing, graphic design.
Education
B.S. degree, Communications, University of Southern Indiana
Community Involvement
Member, Denton Chamber of Commerce, Denton, Texas
Board of Directors, Director-at-Large, Publicity & Programs Chair,
Women Business Owners of Denton County
(President's Award, 2008)
Member, Denton Bible Church, and Story Editor,
Common Ground magazine