First week in hospital communications

I just completed my first week as a public relations intern at the Charleston Area Medical Center Public Affairs and Marketing office. I’ve already gotten to do so much. I’ve attended a photo shoot, several meetings and an event with pediatric oncology patients. I have a few projects of my own to start working on and am getting to know everyone in the office.

Growing up, I always wanted to be a doctor, specifically a pediatric oncologist. Of course, my dream changed after I took chemistry and had not interest in it whatsoever, but I still have a secret love for the medical field. I’m an avid consumer of Grey’s Anatomy and reruns of ER. This internship is letting me get as close to the field as I can without actually picking up a scalpel.

I love the connection of putting what I learn in school into use. I’m still getting used to all the rules and regulations of working in a hospital, but I think I’m going to really enjoy my experience this summer.

The Tonys take on Twitter

Anyone who talks to me for five minutes knows that I am a huge Broadway fanatic. I would estimate that 90 percent of my iPod is devoted to showtunes. I spent 15 years of my life performing, so everything musical has become my passion.

As the Tony Awards are a little more than 24 hours away, I feel the need to celebrate The Great White Way’s use of social media. While there have been many Facebook and Myspace groups devoted to the love of the stage, larger things have emerged, such as BroadwaySpace.com, a social networking site for theater fans, actors, dancers, techies, producers, and more.

This year the Tony Awards created a Twitter account to inform fans about everything from leading up to the nominations to live tweeting from Tony night rehearsals. Many of the nominated shows started Twitter accounts and have been taking fans along for the ride on the way to the night of June 7.

While the demographic of Broadway fans may be smaller than that of American Idol or America’s Got Talent, the theater companies and shows have definitely found their niche in social media.

It has also opened up the opportunity for social activism. Broadway Impact, a movement to achieve marriage equality, has used social media as a tool to inform the public as well as recruit volunteers.

So: bravo, Broadway! I applaud you for taking social media into your own hands and spreading the love.

Wedding bands, not wedding bans

Yesterday was a big day for not only the LGBT community but as a nation. With recent advances nationwide in gay marriage legislation, we were all hoping for the best in California with the decision to uphold or overturn Prop 8. Sadly, the Senate voted against equal rights.

While sitting at my desk working on homework, I read through my Twitter feed. The responses from everyone were amazing. Not only were people in San Francisco speaking out, but people from all across the country shared their disappointment with the decision.

Through Twitter, I was able to follow what was going on in West Hollywood with the rally but also a protest that was happening in my hometown of Charleston, WV.

I am continually amazed by our country’s ability to organize. We have such a unique opportunity in that we have the freedom to petition, freedom of speech, and freedom to assemble. And hopefully by taking advantage of these rights, we will soon legalize gay marriage.

I don’t want to go on a tirade about my beliefs, but I challenge lawmakers, senators, governors, and the general populace to think strongly about the decisions you make regarding equal rights. Read a blog, a news story, or watch footage from the West Hollywood rally, but make sure you are 100% informed before you take away basic rights of Americans.