FIR Interview: Steve Widmann and Aaron Hughling, Scott & White Healthcare

Scott & White, a hospital network in the Central Texas city of Temple, had only recently launched its social media strategy when it became one of the main hospitals to which victims of the Fort Hood shooting were taken for treatment. Those social media channels – implemented in large part to create greater connections between the hospital network and the local community – became the central means by which the hospital communicated its role in treating the shooting victims.

In this FIR Interview, co-host Shel Holtz talks with Web Services Director Steve Widmann and Web Publisher Aaron Hughling about the challenges they faced in their efforts to use social media and how these channels came into play as events unfolded during that tragic day last November.

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About our Conversation Partners

Steve Widmann is the Director of Web Services at Scott & White Healthcare in Temple, Texas. Since joining Scott & White in March 2008, Steve has overseen the strategy and development of all Scott & White websites for 11 hospitals and 50 clinics across Central Texas. Prior to Scott & White, he was an international eHealth Consultant, assisting hospitals with their patient portal and website/marketing development. Steve has also worked as a Web Development Manager for a large hospital system in New England.

Steve started his Internet experience while working at Intel Corporation. He received his Master’s Degree in Educational Media & Computers from Arizona State University in 1997.

Prior to his involvement with the Internet and healthcare, Steve worked in Television News and Production for nearly 20 years. He also taught at Arizona State University for 10 years. He is the recipient of many awards, including multiple Emmy awards and nominations for his work. Steve lives in Temple, Texas with his wife and three sons.

Aaron Hughling is a Web and Creative Editor in the Web Services Department, part of Scott & White’s Marketing group. He focuses his work primarily in web editing, content development and the healthcare system’s social media efforts.

Aaron holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and lives in Temple, Texas.

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This FIR Interview is brought to you with Lawrence Ragan Communications, serving communicators worldwide for 35 years. Information: www.ragan.com.

Podsafe music – On A Podcast Instrumental Mix (MP3, 5Mb) by Cruisebox.

(Cross-posted from For Immediate Release, Shel’s and my podcast blog.)