Public Affairs Profile

The Office of Public Affairs is the primary strategic link between The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and its principal constituencies. The role of Public Affairs is to support and advance the mission of the health science center by engaging its constituencies with a clear, consistent and compelling message, involving them in a mutually meaningful and beneficial relationship with the institution, and motivating them to higher levels of support for the institution. Iin that role, Public Affairs leads the health science center's integrated advancement initiative, Leadership Forum, Communications Council and UT Volunteers. The office also provides counsel and support in media relations, marketing, communications, and graphic design to the university’s six schools and other units and to administrative offices including Development, Human Resources, Governmental Relations, and the Office of the President, among others.

Public Affairs is organized into three teams: Media Relations, Institutional Communications, and Marketing and Community Relations. Each team carries out its assigned role, while at the same time collaborating interdependently with the other teams to achieve the mission of the office.

Media Relations
The media relations team is the official spokesperson with the news media, initiating stories that support the institutional mission, responding to media inquiries and coordinating crisis communications. The team also provides media training for university leaders.

Institutional Communications
The communications team is the principal distributor of official institutional communications to internal and external audiences. The team uses print media, e-mail and the Web to highlight the health science center’s distinctive capabilities and accomplishments, to inform employees, students, donors and friends; and to provide consumer-health information to the public. The team also provides consultation on communicating with various audiences and on meeting the university's Web standards. Information on Web standards is available online at publicaffairs.uth.tmc.edu/graphicguide/web/index.html or you may call 713 500 3296 for assistance.

Marketing and Community Relations
The marketing and community relations team consults on and produces marketing materials, creating a common public “face” and consistent “voice” for the institution. The team also coordinates special “signature” events – including Founders’ Fun Fest, Faculty Honors Convocation, Leadership Summit, Eeyore’s Fun Run, STAR Awards, the UT Scholarship Golf Classic, groundbreakings and dedications, anniversary events, and the President’s Executive Luncheons. As a part of its commitment to Houston and the state, Public Affairs supports community activities and participates in community events, including health fairs, health walks and fund-raisers. The team also coordinates an institutional speakers’ bureau and volunteer program.

Graphic and Editorial Standards
The Office of Public Affairs is responsible for managing the university’s image via communications and graphic design.  Among the services offered is design of collateral materials ensuring a professional and consistent look, and counsel on graphic and editorial standards, to ensure the appropriate use of the name and logotype for the health science center as a whole and for each of the schools. The standards apply to all forms of communication – electronic and print – including Web sites, brochures, newsletters, posters, stationery and more. Information about the graphic and editorial standards is available online at or you may call 713 500 3137 for assistance.

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