Dobies Health Marketing Adds Full-Service Audio-Visual Production to Core In-House Capabilities

Ryan Antrim, Producer at Dobies Health Marketing

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Dobies Health Marketing, a strategy-first marketing, branding and advertising firm for healthcare companies, recently welcomed Ryan Antrim to the creative team. As Producer, Ryan brings nearly two decades of audio-visual (A/V) storytelling expertise to the firm’s core offerings.

While Dobies has always offered video production services through partnerships with local and regional A/V companies, this new development marks the first full-time videographer to join the in-house creative team.

With extensive experience in developing A/V content from concept through completion, Ryan shares benefit-oriented solutions through video, TV and radio spots, social media, graphics, podcasts, and more. In addition to video production and editing, he provides conceptual ideation and innovation, manages company and client video assets and brands, and supports creative ideation for multiple campaigns.

“Ryan’s expertise allows us to go even further to exceed our clients’ expectations—he adds another, highly in-demand tool to our creative process,” says Thom Ludtke, Vice President of Client and Creative Services. “We’re excited about expanding our video content in ways that will allow us to quickly and effectively complement written stories to maximize engagement with target audiences.”

Ryan, a longtime Kansas City resident, spent the last 15 years as a videographer and creative director for a locally based video production company. In that role, he collaborated with Dobies on a project basis since 2016, and he has produced multiple campaigns for medical and healthcare marketing initiatives throughout his career.

“Visual storytelling is my passion and a key part of building brand affinity,” Ryan says. “It’s an especially powerful channel for inspiring action, whether it’s through someone’s personal health journey, professional aspirations or any other angle.”

Ryan, along with the rest of the team, believes the skills he brings will further the company’s mission to change the way people think about health and to inspire better, more informed health decisions. For a recent sample of Ryan’s work for one of our clients, watch this video:

About Dobies Health Marketing

Since 1992, Dobies Health Marketing has offered highly specialized expertise in strategy-first marketing for health companies. Our Kansas City-based company serves the marketing and branding needs of the entire health industry, from hospitals, health systems and payers to medical device manufacturers, associations and certifying boards. We combine strategic marketing with creative communications to create healthier brands.

Maris Panjada Joins Dobies Health Marketing as Marketing Coordinator

Maris Panjada, Marketing Coordinator at Dobies Health Marketing

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Dobies Health Marketing, a strategy-first marketing, branding and advertising firm for healthcare companies, recently welcomed Maris Panjada to the team as Marketing Coordinator.

With experience in marketing and creative communications, Maris supports and coordinates the firm’s work on integrated campaigns, branded merchandise and other projects. In addition to coordinating workflow among the client services and creative teams, she oversees production management and media trafficking with our buyers.

“Maris’ skills are a great fit for the service we provide our clients,” says Thom Ludtke, Vice President of Client and Creative Services. “She further enhances our team’s ability to ensure our work is always on time, on strategy, and within budget and scope.”

A native of Overland Park, Kan., Maris has bachelor’s degrees in business administration and communications studies from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Her previous work experience includes event management, graphic design, digital branding and social media.

“I’m excited to join a growing but longstanding company that is changing the way people think about health,” Maris says. “I’m inspired by the Dobies mission and vision, and I am happy to be part of the team.”

About Dobies Health Marketing
Since 1992, Dobies Health Marketing (formerly Dobies Healthcare Group) has offered highly specialized expertise in strategy-first marketing for health companies. Our Kansas City-based company serves the marketing and branding needs of the entire health industry, from hospitals, health systems and payers to medical device manufacturers, associations and certifying boards. We combine strategic marketing with creative communications to create healthier brands.

Students Get a Taste of Healthier Eating Through Apple a Day Program

Carol Dobies works with Cristo Rey seniors for the Apple a Day program.

Carol Dobies, CEO of Dobies Health Marketing, helps teach high school seniors about eating healthy.

April 11, 2019 – Dobies Health Marketing and Natural Grocers joined forces again yesterday for the third annual Apple a Day event at Cristo Rey Kansas City, a Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth High School. This year, the focus was on engaging the senior class in healthy food choices as they transition into adulthood. By creating healthy foods together with the seniors in small-group sessions, the Apple a Day presenters provided hands-on guidance, resources and recipes that will serve the students well in college and beyond.

The Apple a Day program, created by Dobies Health Marketing, is available to pair corporate sponsors with schools to demonstrate to local students how easy it is to eat healthier. Inspired by the adage, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” the program is designed to educate youth and their families on the benefits of eating fresh fruits and vegetables every day, so they can begin to offset their risks for chronic diseases and obesity.

Natural Grocers shares nutritious recipes during interactive Apple a Day educational sessions.

The Apple a Day event is part of Cristo Rey’s Health Day, when students take part in a variety of fun programs related to health, fitness, safety and wellness. Courtesy of Dobies Health Marketing and Natural Grocers, each senior received a fresh, organic apple along with take-home tips, recipes and food suggestions. In addition, the seniors were encouraged to enter a prize contest by sharing photos of themselves eating the healthy foods on social media.

The seniors then prepared some easy, nutritious snacks with Brooke Seiz, Nutritional Health Coach at Natural Grocers. Seiz, a graduate of the Nutrition Therapy Institute in Denver, Colo., is board certified by the National Association of Nutrition Professionals and has additional training in functional medicine and counseling psychology.

Social purpose is an important part of our company ethos,” said Julie Amor, president and chief strategy officer at Dobies Health Marketing, adding that Apple a Day is one of three elements that comprise the firm’s GIVE-JOIN-CARE approach to corporate social engagement:

  • GIVE: Dobies Health Marketing donates one percent of its net revenue back to the local community each year, providing funds to causes that promote better health.
  • JOIN: Dobies Health Marketing, in partnership with Natural Grocers, inspires healthy choices and addresses childhood/adolescent obesity – one apple at a time (through the Apple a Day program).
  • CARE: Dobies Health Marketing employees regularly volunteer for causes and events that create healthy Kansas City communities.

“We love to engage in creating healthier communities and support a cause-driven culture – not only for ourselves, but for our clients as well,” Amor said. “There’s no better feeling than knowing we are making a difference in how people think about health.”

RELATED READING: Dobies Health Marketing Named Healthy KC Company for Third Straight Year

View more photos and details from the event on Facebook. Sample some delicious but nutritious foods for yourself by trying out the recipes below (click on an image to view the full recipe). Companies interested in sponsoring a school through the Apple a Day program can contact us online or call 816.753.3336 for more information.

Picture of Salmon Dill Dip with VegetablesPicture of No Bake Apple CookiesPicture of Healthy Avocado ToastPicture of a woman making a healthy smoothie

About Dobies Health Marketing

Since 1992, Dobies Health Marketing has offered highly specialized expertise in healthcare marketing strategy, branding and creative communications. Our Kansas City-based company serves the marketing and branding needs of the entire healthcare industry, from hospitals, health systems and payers to medical device manufacturers, associations and certifying boards. Together, we combine strategic marketing with creative communications to create healthier brands.

Danielle Hendrickson Joins Dobies Health Marketing as Creative Services Manager

Danielle Hendrickson, Creative Services Manager

Danielle Hendrickson, Creative Services Manager at Dobies Health Marketing

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Dobies Health Marketing, a healthcare-specialized marketing, branding and advertising firm, recently welcomed Danielle Hendrickson to the team as Creative Services Manager.

As a highly skilled graphic designer, photographer and visual communicator, Danielle provides creative direction and design for healthcare marketing initiatives. She combines creative strategy with new and traditional graphic solutions to help clients build brands and achieve marketing objectives. Danielle’s experience spans more than a decade across all types of marketing, branding and advertising media.

“Danielle brings a great combination of experience, skills and talents to deliver the highest level of service and results for our clients,” said Thom Ludtke, Vice President of Client & Creative Services. “Her versatility in design and photography is a tremendous asset for our team and our clients. She is an excellent fit for the unique blend of strategic thinking and creative communication at the core of our company.”

A native of Kansas City, Mo., Hendrickson has a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and advanced training in photography. She has worked for local advertising agencies and as a self-employed designer, photographer and marketing director. Danielle’s community efforts include photography and design for events with SAVE, Inc. and the AIDS Service Foundation. She also collects donations of toys for Operation Breakthrough at Christmas.

“I am so excited to join the creative team at Dobies Health Marketing,” Danielle said. “I love our mission, and I love using my creative skills to create healthier brands and connect people to better health.”

About Dobies Health Marketing

Since 1992, Dobies Health Marketing has offered highly specialized expertise in healthcare marketing strategy, branding and creative communications. The Kansas City-based company serves the marketing and branding needs of the entire health industry, from hospitals, health systems and payers to medical device manufacturers, associations, certifying boards and others.

Holly Lawton Joins Dobies Health Marketing as Senior Writer/Project Manager

Portrait of Holly Lawton, Senior Writer/Project Manager

Holly Lawton, Senior Writer/Project Manager

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Dobies Health Marketing, a healthcare-specialized marketing, branding and advertising firm, recently welcomed Holly Lawton to the creative team as Senior Writer/Project Manager.

Holly works with strategy, client services and other creative managers to develop multimedia content and communications for integrated health marketing campaigns. She concepts, writes, edits and manages copy for creative campaigns, public relations and content marketing initiatives across a wide variety of media and channels, including television, radio, video, podcast, digital, web, print, search marketing and social media.

“Holly’s writing skillset, versatility and leadership abilities are a great fit for our creative team,” says Diane Morgan, Director of Content Development. “She is passionate about the power of engaging, consumer-focused content in healthcare, and she has a proven ability to connect messaging to strategy, which is very important to our work as a strategy-first marketing firm. She will be a tremendous asset for our clients and our team.”

Holly worked for media organizations in Kansas City, St. Louis and Portland, Ore., before transitioning to marketing and advertising in 2011. Her most recent full-time position was Manager of Creative for YellowFan Studios, Sprint’s in-house agency. Her experience also includes developing and managing content for Sprint’s digital marketing team, greyhealth group and VML.

Additionally, Holly has held numerous positions on the board of the Kansas City chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators, including president; and she is an active member of Social Media Club of Kansas City and Central Exchange. An Oklahoma City native, Holly graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in journalism and has lived in Kansas City since 2000. With a strong commitment to animal rescue and outreach, she holds volunteer leadership roles with The Rescue Project and the KCK Pet Help Coalition.

“I’m truly honored to be part of a team with such great people and great vision at Dobies Health Marketing,” Holly says. “There are amazing stories to be told here. It’s so gratifying to help our clients change people’s lives and improve the way people think about health.”

About Dobies Health Marketing

Since 1992, Dobies Health Marketing has offered highly specialized expertise in healthcare marketing strategy, branding and creative communications. The Kansas City-based company serves the marketing and branding needs of the entire health industry, from hospitals, health systems and payers to medical device manufacturers, associations, certifying boards and others.

Dobies Health Marketing Named Healthy KC Company for Third Straight Year

Emblem signifying Dobies Health Marketing’s gold certification as a Healthy KC CompanyKANSAS CITY, Mo – For the third consecutive year, Dobies Health Marketing has earned certification as a Healthy KC company for excellence in workplace wellness.

The Kansas City-based healthcare marketing firm received Gold honors in 2018. This recognition comes from the Healthy KC Workplace Wellness initiative, a program created in 2014 by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City and other regional health and wellness leaders.

The Healthy KC program assesses the steps a company takes to support health and wellness across five Pillars of Health: nutrition, physical activity, tobacco cessation, work-life integration and design-build environment. Workplace wellness at Dobies Health Marketing includes exercise bikes, standing work areas, balance balls, and a special space dedicated to letting employees share articles, infographics and other communications with healthy lifestyle tips. Walking and standing meetings are encouraged, and the company hosts quarterly lunch-and-learns to provide expert guidance on such topics as nutrition, exercise, meditation and work-life integration.

Dobies Health Marketing also launched a “green” paper-saving initiative in the workplace in 2017. While it has long been customary for their employees to recycle paper, the new initiative is about lowering paper usage overall by encouraging use of employees’ portable laptops at internal meetings (versus bringing printouts and taking notes on paper), and to print double-sided whenever possible. From January through June 2018, the company reduced its paper use by 17 percent—including a 43 percent reduction in color copies—compared to the same period in 2017.

“Contributing to a healthy environment, both inside and outside the office, is very important to our employees,” said Carol Dobies, Founder and CEO, adding that the company’s mission is to inspire better health decisions locally, nationally and even globally. “We are honored to be recognized for promoting workplace wellness while doing our part to protect the environment.”

In addition to promoting health and wellness within its office, Dobies Health Marketing also brings its healthy culture into the community through its Apple a Day program.

About Dobies Health Marketing

Since 1992, Dobies Health Marketing has offered highly specialized expertise in healthcare marketing strategy, branding and creative communications. The Kansas City-based company combines strategic thinking with creative communication to create healthier brands across the entire healthcare industry, from hospitals, health systems, physician groups, and payers to medical device manufacturers and distributors, pharmaceutical firms, associations, certifying boards and more.

Dobies Health Marketing Launches Division Focused on Advancing Rural Health

A sunkissed image of a family in a rural landscape.KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Dobies Health Marketing, a strategy-first healthcare marketing firm, has launched dhmstudio+, a new division focused exclusively on the unique marketing needs of rural and critical access hospitals.

To keep pace in an evolving healthcare industry, rural hospitals and clinics must focus on improving patient experiences, delivering better outcomes and optimizing revenue opportunities. Future sustainability also requires greater emphasis on keeping people healthy, as opposed to the traditional focus on treating illness and injury. However, most rural hospitals and clinics face significant roadblocks along this path, including restricted budgets, limited internal resources and even provider shortages that limit the access they provide.

That’s where dhmstudio+ comes in, say the leaders of Dobies Health Marketing, who developed the new service line to scale the firm’s advanced healthcare marketing strategy and branding expertise to meet the unique needs and address the unique challenges of rural providers.

“Our healthcare marketing experts understand the shifting healthcare landscape, and within it, we see new opportunities to create healthier communities,” explains Julie Amor, president and chief strategy officer for Dobies Health Marketing. She says rural hospital leaders can create long-term sustainability by engaging people with innovative programs and partnerships that keep quality healthcare local. dhmstudio+ is designed to inform and support such efforts.

Services, which range from strategic guidance to creative advertising with many offerings in between, are provided at a flat-rate fee to accommodate each client’s fixed monthly budgeting needs. “With dhmstudio+, rural hospitals have affordable access to our healthcare marketing team,” says Amor. “It’s like having their own fully staffed marketing department, but at a much lower cost.”

Carol Dobies, founder and chief executive officer, says dhmstudio+ aligns with the firm’s mission of combining strategic marketing and creative communication to create healthier brands – and to make a difference in how people think about health. “We are passionate about the essential role rural providers play in creating healthier communities,” says Dobies. “The same strategy-first healthcare marketing expertise we provide to large health system clients is now available to rural providers with limited resources, and we are committed to supporting their needs.”

To take a more in-depth exploration, read this client success story. For more information about dhmstudio+ or the complete scope of healthcare marketing, branding, advertising and PR services provided by Dobies Health Marketing, call 816.595.6723.

About Dobies Health Marketing

Since 1992, Dobies Health Marketing has offered highly specialized expertise in healthcare marketing strategy, branding and creative campaigns. The Kansas City-based company serves the marketing needs of the entire healthcare industry, from hospitals, health systems and payers to medical device manufacturers, associations, certifying boards and others.

Adam Lee Joins Dobies Health Marketing as Client Services Manager

Portrait of Adam Lee, Client Services Manager

Adam Lee, Client Services Manager

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Dobies Health Marketing, a healthcare-specialized marketing, branding and advertising firm, has hired Adam Lee as its new Client Services Manager.

In this role, Lee works with clients to ensure the on-time, on-budget execution of deliverables, including marketing, branding and advertising initiatives that align with the firm’s strategy-first approach. Lee brings more than a decade of healthcare marketing and communications experience to the team, including the planning and execution of integrated marketing campaigns, public relations and social media for healthcare corporations, agencies and associations. His specialized skillset and expertise will undoubtedly enhance brand, marketing and advertising initiatives for clients of Dobies Health Marketing.

“Adam’s extensive background in healthcare communications, coupled with his agency and client service experience, will greatly benefit the organizations we serve,” said Thom Ludtke, Vice President of Creative & Client Services. “His role will further enhance our team’s ability to provide the highest standard of strategic thinking and creative communications for healthier brands.”

Lee’s professional background includes proven success in strategic communications for such organizations as Cerner Corporation, greyhealth group and the American Academy of Family Physicians, among others. He says he is excited to become part of the team of experts at Dobies Health Marketing.

“I’m grateful for this opportunity to work with a healthcare marketing firm founded on strategy—something I thrive in,” said Lee. “I’m excited to apply my talents in marketing, communication, project management and strategic planning to elevate our clients’ brands.”

About Dobies Health Marketing

Since 1992, Dobies Health Marketing has offered highly specialized expertise in healthcare marketing strategy, branding and creative communications. The Kansas City-based company serves the marketing and branding needs of the entire healthcare industry, from hospitals, health systems and payers to medical device manufacturers, associations and certifying boards.

Students Gain Nutritional Know-How Through Apple a Day Program

Cristo Rey Kansas City students show off the apples they received as part of the Apple a Day program.

Cristo Rey Kansas City students show off the apples they received as part of the Apple a Day program.

April 4, 2018 – Dobies Health Marketing and Natural Grocers returned to Cristo Rey Kansas City today to educate high school students on healthy food choices. The Apple a Day program, which launched last year, pairs corporate sponsors with schools to provide apples and nutrition education to local children, teens and families.

The event kicked off Cristo Rey’s Health Day, when students can participate in a variety of interactive programs related to health, fitness, safety and wellness. Each student received a fresh, organic apple and a nutritional flyer from the Dobies Health Marketing team before listening to a presentation on healthy eating by Brooke Seiz, Nutritional Health Coach at Natural Grocers. Seiz, a graduate of the Nutrition Therapy Institute in Denver, CO, is board certified by the National Association of Nutrition Professionals and currently pursuing additional training in functional medicine and counseling psychology.

View more photos from the event on Facebook. Companies interested in sponsoring a school through the Apple a Day program can contact Dobies Health Marketing online or by calling at 816.753.3336 for more information.

About Dobies Health Marketing

Since 1992, Dobies Health Marketing has offered highly specialized expertise in healthcare marketing strategy, branding and creative communications. Our Kansas City-based company serves the marketing and branding needs of the entire healthcare industry, from hospitals, health systems and payers to medical device manufacturers, associations and certifying boards. Together, we combine strategic marketing with creative communications to create healthier brands.

Dobies Health Marketing Achieves Healthy KC Company Certification Again in 2017

Emblem signifying Dobies Health Marketing’s silver certification as a Healthy KC CompanyKANSAS CITY, Mo – Dobies Health Marketing, a healthcare marketing firm located in downtown Kansas City, has been certified as a Healthy KC Company for the second consecutive year. This recognition comes from the Healthy KC Workplace Wellness initiative, a program created in 2014 by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City and other regional health and wellness leaders.

“We are very proud to be among the growing number of local companies who are making workplace wellness a priority,” said Julie Amor, President and Chief Strategy Officer at Dobies Health Marketing, adding that the company’s mission is to inspire better health decisions locally, nationally and even globally. “That health-positive philosophy is deeply embedded in every aspect of our work and highly embraced in our culture.”

Thank you to @WeAreHealthyKC & 200+ local companies creating a #CultureOfHealth in Kansas City. Click To Tweet

In addition to the traditional furnishings one expects to see in any workplace, the offices at Dobies Health Marketing include exercise bikes, standing work areas, balance balls, and a special space dedicated to letting employees share articles, infographics and other communications with healthy lifestyle tips. Walking meetings are encouraged, and the company regularly hosts lunch-and-learns to provide expert guidance on such topics as nutrition and work-life integration.

Amor says the company is continuously adding to its workplace wellness initiative with a goal of more comprehensively – and creatively – supporting employee health and wellness. Earlier this year, the company launched its Apple a Day program, which provides opportunities for employees to inspire healthier eating habits in others by giving apples and nutritional information to students at local schools.

The KC Chamber reports that the number of Healthy KC Certified companies has nearly doubled since 2015. “We applaud the Healthy KC Commission for engaging local companies in finding ways to create a healthier workforce,” said Amor. “It is so exciting to see how the program has grown, and it is truly an honor to contribute to a culture of health and wellness that is coming to life across Greater Kansas City.”

About Dobies Health Marketing

Since 1992, Dobies Health Marketing has offered highly specialized expertise in healthcare marketing strategy, branding and creative communications. The Kansas City-based company combines strategic thinking with creative communication to create healthier brands across the entire healthcare industry, from hospitals, health systems, physician groups, and payers to medical device manufacturers and distributors, pharmaceutical firms, associations, certifying boards and more.