General Media Information
Welcome to the Emory University Health Sciences Center Communications Office web site. This site is designed to provide reporters with the latest medical news and media contacts from Emory's Woodruff Health Sciences Center.
General Info | HIPAA | TV Interviews | Health Sciences Communications
Media Inquiries | Photography/Videography | News Releases
Contact Information and After Hours Calls
General Information
The Health Sciences Communications office is a full-service news office available 24 hours a day, every day, to respond to inquiries from the media. We are dedicated to quickly responding to media requests and encourage you to call our office if you have questions about the Woodruff Health Sciences Center or Emory Healthcare. The communications office also can assist you in contacting health sciences experts in a wide variety of medical specialties.
How to reach us:
- During Business Hours
For media requests during business hours (8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday), call the Health Sciences Communications office, 404-727-5686. Also see the Communications Staff directory, which has direct phone numbers and email addresses. - Evenings and Weekends
A public information officer is on call to respond to general media inquiries and patient condition updates until 11:00 p.m. EST. Page the on-call public information officer at 404-686-5500, enter ID 14190. - Overnight Hours — Breaking News
Between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. EST, a public information officer is available to respond to media requests related to breaking news stories. Page the on-call public information officer at 404-686-5500, enter ID 14190.
Please note: Communications office staff must escort all broadcast media and photographers while on the health sciences campus. Please contact us to arrange all video graphic and photographic shoots.
HIPAA
The Federal government began enforcing HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) April 14, 2003. These regulations are intended to protect the privacy of medical information.
The Health Sciences Communications office is committed to continuing to provide excellent service to media, while guaranteeing that we comply with HIPAA regulations.
- Patient Conditions
We do not provide condition reports. - Patient Sources
We are often asked to identify patients who would be willing to speak about a particular medical condition or treatment, and will work with you to identify patients who have agreed to talk with media.
TV Interviews
Health Sciences Communications provides opportunities for on-campus interviews with health sciences faculty, administrators and staff. We are able to provide interviews via an satellite uplink when requested.
Emory Health Sciences Communications and the Media
The Health Sciences Communications office is responsible for working with faculty, administrators and staff throughout the Woodruff Health Sciences Center and Emory Healthcare to disseminate information of public interest to the news media. We provide the following services:
- A media oriented web site with electronic press kits and multimedia featuring Emory news releases, media kits, experts listing, and more
- Proactive media relations
- Crisis communications
- Media training and consultation
- Access to a recording studio for "live" or taped broadcast interviews, satellite uplink capabilities
- News release distribution to more than 1000 U.S. journalists
- Daily news clipping services – Emory in the News
- Tracking of news stories
- Podcast and video packages
Media Inquiries
The Emory Health Sciences Communications office is responsible for handling all external media relations for the medical enterprise.
Photography/Videography
Film crews, reporters and photographers are required to be escorted by a member of the HSC staff while they are working on news stories on Emory property. This is to protect you, the privacy of our patients and their families, and Emory. These visits often require a great deal of planning as multiple groups must be contacted for the appropriate set of permissions. Please contact us at 404-727-5686 as soon as possible so that we may set up your visit.
News Releases
Clinicians and researchers with upcoming publications, presentations, grants or noteworthy events that may be of interest to the media should contact the HSC office as early as possible to ensure timely news coverage.
Peer-reviewed journals typically establish set dates and times when news on particular articles can be reported.
Our staff will work with you to meet those deadlines. HSC staff work on a public information officer "beat" system. Please contact the public information officer who is responsible for your area.
For examples of past press releases, visit News & Publications.
Contact Information and After Hours Calls
The phone number for the news office is 404-727-3366.
Our fax number is 404-727-4392.
The HSC office is located on the 1st floor of the Woodruff Health Sciences Center Administration Building, 1440 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, Ga., 30322. See detailed maps and directions.
Business hours are from 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. EST, Mon.-Fri.
We provide 24-hour coverage for the health system via pager. If you need to reach someone immediately during non-business hours, please call 404-686-5500, enter ID 14190.
