Memphis, Tenn., Aug. 20, 2004 – Baptist Memorial Health Care recently promoted Echelle Lane Rutschman, formerly director of corporate communications, to senior communications officer and system director of corporate communications.

In this role, Rutschman is responsible for corporate communications activities for Baptist’s 17 hospitals and 30 corporate subsidiaries, which includes six divisions: public relations, marketing, community relations, creative services, internal communications/publications and Web marketing.

Rutschman was director of corporate communications from 2000 to 2004. During that time, she aligned the department to function as an in-house agency; implemented numerous comprehensive advertising, marketing and public relations campaigns and events; and trained more than 150 spokespeople for the organization. Under her leadership, the corporate communications department was awarded the top regional public relations award in 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2003.

“Echelle has made enormous contributions to Baptist,” said Scott Fountain, senior vice president and chief development officer for Baptist Memorial Health Care. “Besides leading our corporate communications department to an unprecedented number of awards within the communications industry, she has contributed to improved communications within the organization and the community. This is a well-deserved promotion for Echelle, and I know that she will continue to be an outstanding contributor to Baptist in the future. ”

Prior to joining Baptist, Rutschman worked in marketing communications at ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital from 1994 to 1998 and for Walker & Associates from 1993 to 1994. She also spent time teaching at The University of Memphis and the University of Missouri at Columbia.

Rutschman earned her master’s degree from the University of Missouri in communications in 1994 and her bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma Baptist University in public relations and political science in 1992.

Based in Memphis, Tenn., Baptist Memorial Health Care is an integrated health care delivery system offering a full continuum of care to communities throughout Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas. Baptist is home to many world-renowned physicians, and the system has received numerous national awards, such as being among Modern Healthcare’s Top 100 Integrated Healthcare Networks in the nation. With the intention of caring for people close to their homes, the Baptist network consists of 17 hospitals; more than 2,900 affiliated physicians; home, hospice and psychiatric care; minor medical clinics; a chain of surgery, rehabilitation and other outpatient centers; and an education system highlighted by the Baptist College of Health Sciences. ###

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