Schedule   Home Sponsors: Contributors: PRSSA links:		Back to Schedule Take off on a Global Mission with Health Care PR Presenter Judith Black Director, Public Relations St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Judith Black joined St. Jude in 2001 as Director of Public Relations. She oversees the development of public relations, media relations, publications, community education and public information programs created by the department and works with staff to make sure programs align with institution strategy. She is responsible for ensuring that the department is staffed with experienced and skilled employees and that these employees have the resources and support needed to fulfill their jobs. She provides leadership and counsel in determining strategies for handling media activity and gives guidance in translating institutional objectives into goals for the public relations department. She works with hospital staff to develop internal programs that help enhance the exchange of information between employees and executive management. She also works closely with ALSAC, the fund raising organization for St. Jude in preparing for marketing and national media campaigns. Black manages a staff of 12 public relations professionals who collectively generate a broad range of publications, handle hundreds of media inquiries and interviews each year and develop outreach and information programs that promote the cutting-edge scientific research and patient care taking place at St. Jude. The department under her leadership has received numerous local and national PRSA awards. Prior to St. Jude, Black was Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the National Civil Rights Museum housed within the Lorraine Motel where Dr. M. L. King was staying when assassinated. In this position she was responsible for all marketing and public relations programs including hosting celebrity and dignitary visits, creating printed collateral, developing marketing strategies, media relations and marketing the museum’s annual Freedom Award Event. During her stint at the Museum award honorees included Nelson Mandela, Lech Walesa, and Harry Belafonte. Also while marketing director, the museum received the distinction by USA Today of being one of 10 National Treasurers Americans Must Visit. Black’s work experience also includes: Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division as Communications Specialist; International Paper Company Hammermill Papers and Strathmore Papers in Westfield, MA as Special Promotions Coordinator and Assistant Manager of Advertising and Sales Promotions respectively; Memphis City Schools as a Public Information Officer; First Tennessee Bank as Corporate Communications Assistant; freelance writer and public relations consultant for various clients in Atlanta and Memphis. She received a BA in journalism from Clark College (now ClarkAtlanta University) and an MBA from Strayer University. Black is a 2001 graduate of Leadership Memphis and has been a member of numerous civic boards where she has held a variety of positions. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She has three sons, two currently attending college and the youngest, a high school sophomore.