CIRP Media & Social Media Institute

Effective communication in public health has never been more important. In today's crowded media climate, it can be challenging to break through to the audience you are trying to reach. Come learn the skills you need to share research, promote programs, and create safer, healthier communities through the media and social media.

The Center for Injury Research and Policy (CIRP) at Nationwide Children's is hosting a 3 half-day Media & Social Media Institute for public health professionals on the afternoons of January 22, January 29, and February 5, 2026. Trainings will be on Zoom, 1-5 p.m. ET.

The workshop presenters have been featured in media outlets around the world and have created local and national outreach campaigns. Their expertise includes behind-the-scenes media planning, on-air interviews, working with reporters, and using social media for public health.

The CIRP Media & Social Media Institute is designed for public health professionals who:

• Are new to developing or managing media outreach campaigns

• Have some experience developing or managing media outreach plans and granting interviews or training others

• Manage social media to promote organizations and health behavior.

Registration:

• The two half-day media training (Jan 22 and Jan 29), costs $99

• The one half-day social media training (Feb 5), costs $49

• Register for all three days for $148 

Logistics and Details:

• The CIRP Media Institute will be held on Zoom from 1-5 p.m. ET on January 22 and 29, 2026. The second day will build on the first. Registration is for both days.

• The CIRP Social Media Institute will be held on Zoom from 1-5 p.m. ET on February 5, 2026.

• The CIRP Media and Social Media Institute are interactive workshops. As such, they will not be recorded. Participation (video and mics) is highly encouraged throughout.

• Registration includes a one-hour consultation with workshop leaders to be scheduled after the workshop and before May, 2026.

CIRP Media Institute Objectives:

• Day One (Jan. 22, 2026, 1-5 p.m. ET) - Beginner’s Guide to Working with the Media

  • Identify key factors/traits of intended audience to direct appropriate crafting of messages.

  • Understand elements required to develop an effective outreach plan for media.

  • Develop appropriate techniques to reach targeted audience.

  • Develop strategies for organized efficient communication and media tracking.

  • Develop skills needed to work with media as part of a dissemination plan.

  • Practice concepts learned throughout training.

  • Receive and implement recommendations for future efforts.

• Day Two: (Jan. 29, 2026, 1-5 p.m. ET) - Mastering Your Message and Owning Your Interview

  • Identify key components of effective public health messaging. Demonstrate an understanding of health literacy concepts.

  • Identify key components of effective press releases and pitch strategies.

  • Recall proper interview protocol and things to know for different types of interviews.

  • Classify type of interviews and identify what makes a successful interview.

  • Recognize interview strategies by watching a mock interview.

  • Practice interview skills by doing a mock interview.

CIRP Media Institute Schedule:

• Day One: Beginner’s Guide to Working with the Media

  • Knowing Your Audience - 1:10 - 1:40 p.m.

  • Creating an Outreach Plan - 1:40 - 2:25 p.m.

  • Crafting the Message - 2:35 - 3:20 p.m.

  • Setting up Your Office for Success & Tracking Your Success - 3:20 - 3:35 p.m.

  • Contacting / Working with the Media - 3:45 - 4:30 p.m.

  • Presentations & Feedback - 4:30 - 5:00 p.m.

• Day Two: Mastering Your Message and Owning Your Interview

  • Mastering Your Messaging - 1:10 - 2:25 p.m.

  • Press Releases & Pitching - 2:25 - 2:50 p.m.

  • Interview Protocol & Types - 2:50 - 3:20 p.m.

  • Interview Prep & Examples - 3:30 - 4:00 p.m.

  • Interview Practice & Feedback - 4:00 - 4:45 p.m.

CIRP Social Media Institute Objectives

• Day Three (Feb. 5, 2026, 1-5 p.m. ET) - Social Media Tools, Tips, and Best Practices for Public Health Professionals

  • Identify individual/program goals for using social media; understand how social media is used for public health

  • Understand how social media channels are different; choose appropriate channels for goals

  • Implement administrative strategies to manage costs, staffing, and content

  • Identify sources of content and understand how to develop content for different social media channels, audiences, and purposes

CIRP Social Media Institute Schedule:

• Day Three (Feb. 5, 2026, 1-5 p.m. ET) - Social Media Tools, Tips, and Best Practices for Public Health Professionals

  • Social Media Basics - 1:10 - 1:20 p.m.

  • Channels - 1:20 - 2:00 p.m.

  • Staffing, Software, Policies, Goals - 2:10 - 3:00 p.m.

  • Content: Sources & Development - 3:10 - 4:40 p.m.

Questions? Reach out to Laura Dattner at [email protected].

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations received in writing no less than 20 days before the course will be refunded, less a 20% administrative fee. No refunds will be made on cancellations received after that date. Please send cancellation requests to [email protected].

Nationwide Children's Hospital reserves the right to cancel or postpone this program if necessary; in the event of cancellation, course fees will be fully refunded. We are not responsible for other costs incurred such as non-refundable airline tickets or hotel penalties.

Accessibility Statement
 
Nationwide Children's Hospital is committed to ensuring that its programs, services, goods and facilities are accessible to individuals with disabilities as specified under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008.  If you have needs that require special accommodations, including dietary concerns, please contact the CME Conference Coordinator.

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

Nationwide Children's Hospital adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers or others are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.

Member Information

Role in activity

Nature of Relationship(s) / Name of Ineligible Company(s)

Katrina Boylan, JD
Senior Research Writer
Nationwide Children's Hospital
Columbus, OH

Faculty

Non-Clinical Exception

Laura Dattner, MA
Research Writer
Nationwide Children's Hospital
Columbus, OH

Faculty

Non-Clinical Exception

Tracy Mehan, MA
Center for Injury Research and Policy
Columbus, OH

Faculty

Non-Clinical Exception