School of Medicine Communications

Follow these recommendations for effective, engaging content that resonates with your audience. 

Do

• Consider the needs of your audience
• Prioritize communicating value
• Use clear, concise language
• Provide links to relevant resources
• Include high-quality images of people in action

Don't

• Write for an academic audience
• Submit long blocks of text that aren't easily scannable
• Create unecessary sections or pages
• Include low-resolution images in formats other than .jpg or .png
• Forget to spell-check

Requesting changes to multiple pages? Submit one form that includes all URLs and files. 

SOM web pages and content are housed within the University's content management system (CMS). If you are full-time faculty or staff, you're eligible to access and edit relevant sections of the website by becoming a CMS user. 

Learn More About CMS User Training

CMS users are responsible for contributing high-quality written and visual content that aligns with SLU style guidelines and SOM strategic goals. For questions and assistance, email jami.defenbaugh@health.slu.edu. 

Resources

• SLU Writing Style Guide
• CMS Access and Best Practices
• SLU Web Policy

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• January 31

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• April 3
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• July 3
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• July 31

• August 7
• August 14
• August 21|
• August 28

Nominated by: Daniel Roke, chair, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care

“Katherine has been the Anesthesiology Department’s behind-the-scenes driver of our growth and crafter of many, many SBARs. Katherine is dedicated to our mission, is consistently professional, and has been a hugely positive addition to our team. Every member of the Anesthesiology Team contributes to patient care and Katherine’s efforts have made much of that care possible. She never gets thanks from the patients because she doesn’t work with them face to face and is, therefore, a truly hidden hero.”

Nominated by Diana Greene-Chandos, professor and chair, Department of Neurology

“Patricia is an outstanding senior administrative assistant. She is always smiling, professional, extremely organized and highly creative, delivering our newsletter content every other month. She keeps me in order and is an incredible forward- facing person for the department with her warm personality. I am lucky to have found her.” 

Nominated by: Tammy Burton, senior associate dean, Finance and Strategy

“Shelly is the person that others turn to for assistance - whether it’s an HR matter, entering contracts in, Agiloft, or transacting in Workday, Shelly is patient, collaborative, and a team player. She has been a teacher and helper to many.”

Nominated by: Chad Miller, senior associate dean, Undergraduate Medical Education

“Mrs. Parker is the glue that holds the Office of Curricular Affairs together. She provides leadership and guidance to all of the OCA coordinators and support for the dean's staff, especially Dr. Miller. Because her role is less student-facing than others, those outside of OCA may not realize how much she does to support the medical school - it is a lot and she does it very well!”

Nominated by: Mary McLennan, professor and Chair, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health

“Our clerkship ratings are a constant struggle. She developed a procedural skills simulation and had friends design a model. She offers to teach and then personally gives feedback to any and every student who signs up. She routinely searches educational websites to see how we can incorporate novel teaching techniques into our day-to-day teaching. She goes above and beyond while continuing to have a busy clinical practice.

Nominated by: Andrew White, chair, Department of Pediatrics

“Sara is incredibly knowledgeable and gifted in making things run well and making it happen. She is the go-to person in the department if someone needs to know how to print a poster, how to create a distribution list, how to make a graph from Excel, how to create a new schedule, how to train an admin, how to find a document....all the seemingly trivial tasks that need to happen everyday. The key is Sara knows how to get these things done and does them with a smile and a no-nonsense matter-of-fact style that you forget how frustrated you were trying to do it yourself. She is one in a million!”

Nominated by: Dr. Julie Gammack, senior associate dean, Graduate Medical Education

“Rosie Williams works tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that all of our residents and fellows are processed correctly and in a timely matter for their licensures and training visas. She works with our legal/immigration service, MO Board of Healing Arts and Intealth to track and manage these documents for our 680 housestaff each year! We value her skills and dedication to this important and time-sensitive process.”

Nominated by: David Greenberg, chair, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

“I keep waiting for Jordan to not be able to successfully complete a task. Many in the Department have come to rely on her due to her organizational skills, dedication, and ability to do a job well with a smile. She truly defines a Hidden Hero. She was actually nominated for a "Department Spotlight" but refused it wanting the honor to go to someone else. Put simply, she allows me to be a better leader and a greatly appreciate all she does.”

Nominated by: Leslie Hinyard, chair, Health and Clinical Outcomes Research

“Linda is the heart and soul of the department. She is creative, compassionate, and willing to go above and beyond to solve problems (even problems that do not belong to her).”

Nominated by: Andrew White, chair, Department of Pediatrics

“Dr. Setya is loved by all those he interacts with, including patients, families, nurses and other physicians. He always says yes, and helps everyone. He has started a new clinic called IMAGINE, which is an integrative medicine practice for those with more functional disorders, which already has a wait list of nearly a year. His dedication to SLU and our patients, as well as Cardinal Glennon, is quiet and subtle, and yet extremely effective.”

Nominated by: John Long, professor and chair, Department of Comparative Medicine

“Using the description of the award, I queried my management group. Andy was the overwhelming choice. Andy has a large operational responsibility and is extremely proactive, detail-oriented, tireless, and customer service-focused to ensure our researchers and department personnel have the resources they need to perform at a high level. His accomplishments frequently go unnoticed since they are done primarily in the background.” 

Nominated by: W. Matthew Alday, clinical research operations officer and interim assistant vice president of research administration

"Megan works tirelessly to improve our clinical trials billing processes with SSM Health. She works to train new staff, has taken on new responsibilities and continues to work in a professional and supportive manner at all times.”

Nominated by: Leslie Hinyard, director, AHEAD Institute

“Irene is the unsung hero of the AHEAD Institute. As a data manger, she works behind the scenes and does not get the same recognition of her biostatistician colleagues; however, no analytic work would get done without Irene's contributions. She is always eager to learn new things and is extremely dedicated to quality.”

Nominated by: John Martin, professor and director, Center for Anatomical Science and Education

 “Meadow is a Hidden Hero on our team because of her unwavering dedication to supporting students through the challenging Human Gross Anatomy courses, always fostering an environment of encouragement and positivity. Her selfless commitment to student success and her quiet leadership behind the scenes make a profound impact on everyone around her.”

Nominated by: Oscar Cruz, chair, Department of Ophthalmology

“Always pro-actively looking for solutions and is willing to think outside of the box.”

Nominated by: Katrina Wade, interim co-director, Office of Ignatian Mission in Medicine

“Valerie is not so hidden anymore despite her attempts at maintaining a low profile. She is the glue that keeps our team together and an indispensable member of the SOM and SLU. She often does the work of 2-3 people in the office while holding leadership roles throughout SLU, acting as a cheerleader or spiritual guide for students, and a professional role model for all.”

Nominated by: Katie Robbins, professor and interim chair, Department of Pathology

“Liz is a hidden hero! She is an amazing resource for everyone in the department and works countless hours to make sure that everyone has what they need. If anyone has a question, we know that Liz will know the answer or will do what it takes to find it. She is essential to our department's success!”

Nominated by: Medhat Osman, professor and interim chair, Department of Radiology

One of the hardest working faculty in Radiology. As program director of our residency program, Dr. Shoela leadership skills were instrumental in significantly improving all our aspects of our residency program.” 

Nominated by: John Martin, professor and director, Center for Anatomical Science Education and Sameer Siddiqui, assistant professor and chair, Department of Surgery

"Kris Sherman, as the CASE Senior Administrator, is a true "Hidden Hero" whose tireless dedication and unwavering support behind the scenes have been essential to CASE's and PASE's success. Kris has exceptional communication and problem-solving skills, and an impressive ability to connect the right people that fosters unity without seeking recognition." 

Nominated by: Jastin Antisdel, chair, Department of Otolaryngology

"Deniece is amazing in her role as research coordinator. She is organized, detailed, and always willing to take that extra step to make sure something is perfect.”

Nominated by: Adriana Montano, vice dean, Research

“Sandra works with integrity, patience and dedication. She helps everyone doing research, from students to faculty and staff. She deserve this recognition and more.”

Nominated by: Jane McHowat, associate dean, Faculty Affairs and Professional Development

“Andy knows exactly how to work with others in a calm and efficient way to solve problems. He is always cheerful and makes every day a little more special.”

Nominated by: Adriana Montano, vice dean, Research 

Stephanie works tirelessly to make sure that the activities organized by the Dean’s office are successful. She always reminds us about timing, content and supports us in many ways.”

Nominated by: Richard DiPaolo, professor and cjair, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology

“Kim works tirelessly helping faculty, students and staff in MMI. She organizes journal clubs, research updates, and assists in ordering and invoicing. She has a positive attitude and is always happy to help.”

Nominated by: Katherine Mathews, interim co-director, Office of Ignatian Mission in Medicine

“I am so grateful to partner with Matt Olwig to implement outreach programs with the Mobile Van. I can always count on Matt to be proactive in getting the van to the right place at the right time, to managing our schedule, and to keeping all of our team members in the loop. Their would be no Mobile Van outreach without Matt!”

Nominated by: Daniela Salvemini, professor and chair, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology

“Bryan works tirelessly to help everyone in the department going way beyond his immediate responsibilities and he does this in a selfless manner. He is always positive, uplifting, caring, supportive and helpful - a real builder that leads by example to support the Department, SOM and the University at large.”

Nominated by: M. Yadira Hurley, professor and chair, Department of Dermatology

“Exceptional knowledge of phototherapy and dedicated to excellence in patient care.”

Nominated by: Kimberly Schiel, interim chair, Department of Community and Family Medicine

“Tonya is tireless in her efforts to promote primary care and family medicine. She is the glue that holds our department clinical practice together, always helping others and finding ways to improve our clinic.” 

Nominated by: W. Matthew Alday, clinical research operations officer and interim assistant vice president of research administration

"Suzy O'Sullivan is a post-award specialist in the SOM GO Center, supporting the department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology where she has worked since joining SLU in 2012. Suzy has a bachelor's in philosophy from Marquette University and a JD in law from Gonzaga University. Suzy quietly but efficiently supports the principal investigators and grants in BMB. She works with SOM GO Center leadership to identify issues and streamline processes. Suzy is a valuable member the GO Center and one of the School of Medicine's Hidden Heroes."

Nominated by: Jane McHowat, associate dean, Faculty Affairs and Professional Development

“The students consistently cite Nicole as a strength of the program and a consistent and reliable resource. She is always willing to help anyone with any challenges they might have.”