PRSA Health Academy Paper Competition

(Just wanted to pass along word on this...)


Quinnipiac University and the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Health Academy announce the second annual PRSA Health Academy Paper Competition. The purpose of the competition is to encourage applied research of value to public relations professionals. The winner of the competition will present his/her paper at the PRSA Health Academy Spring Conference to be held in Chicago, Illinois in April of 2010. In addition, the winner will receive a $250 cash award and will be reimbursed for transportation and lodging costs.

Papers might address such issues as hospital public relations, pharmaceutical public relations, medical public relations, health policy, health management, medical device manufacturing public relations, insurance public relations, or current trends in healthcare. Papers may be submitted by professionals, doctoral students/candidates, master’s students/candidates, or faculty members of any rank. Papers may be solo-authored or co-authored. (Cash and reimbursement will be provided to lead author.) Papers should be between 15 – 30 pages (including references), double-spaced, in Times New Roman 12-point font including references. Papers should be prepared using APA style. Papers may be reports of original research or essays. Papers will be judged by a panel of reviewers including academics and members of the PRSA Health Academy Board. Among the factors judges will consider: usefulness of the paper to working professionals, clarity, writing quality, and contribution to the public relations body of knowledge.

The deadline for submissions is December 14, 2009. All papers should be submitted electronically in Microsoft Word and sent to Dr. Kurt Wise, APR, Chair, Public Relations Department, School of Communications, Quinnipiac University (kurt.wise@quinnipiac.edu). Identification material should not be included in the body of the paper. Identification of authors and contact information should be included only in e-mail messages and cover sheet. The winner will be announced by February, 2010. All questions should be directed to Dr. Wise.

Quinnipiac University is a private, coeducational university with more than 5,000 undergraduate and 2,000 graduate students. Quinnipiac University is located in Hamden, Connecticut, 90 minutes from New York City and two hours from Boston. Quinnipiac University offers both graduate and undergraduate degrees in public relations.

The PRSA Health Academy and Quinnipiac University would like to congratulate the winner of the 2009 competition, Dr. Brigitta Brunner of Auburn University. One of the largest Professional Interest Sections within PRSA, the Health Academy comprises nearly 800 members. Its members are mid- to senior-level public relations practitioners representing a broad spectrum of health care organizations such as hospitals and health systems, medical societies, long-term care providers, insurers, managed care organizations, biotech and medical device manufacturers, alternative medicine providers, pharmaceutical companies, government agencies and public relations firms with health care practices.

The PRSA Heath Academy Mission: Through the convergence of health care and public relations, the PRSA Health Academy promotes excellence in communications and an educational dialogue across the entire health care industry for the professional enhancement of its members.