Web team brings UNMC’s story to the world

NeEtta Gillespie

Ryan Shaw

Andrew Nelson

With more than 7 million visits from individuals in 166 countries, the UNMC Web site is a powerful communication tool that takes the medical center’s story to the world.

“It’s amazing what students, researchers and patients from around the world can learn about UNMC with a mouse click,” said NeEtta Gillespie, web/new media coordinator in the UNMC Department of Public Relations.

Gillespie leads the Web team, which also includes Web graphics designer Ryan Shaw and photographer/videographer Andrew Nelson.

The team is responsible for key areas of the UNMC Web site and works in collaboration with the Learning Environment & Internet Services group to determine strategies and new technology to employ on the UNMC Web site.

An estimated 200 Web administrators from across the UNMC campus update college and department Web sites. ITS video services also helps with video taping of events and producing live webcasts.

“The exciting part of our job is working with various groups on campus to see how we can bring an event or story to life on the Web,” Gillespie said. “Whether it be a virtual tour, slideshow, a video or an event page on Facebook, our ‘www’ tool belt has grown in how we share information.”

The team also uses Web 2.0 tools that spread UNMC’s message through blogs, video, and social media sites including YouTube, Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.

PR series This story was the final installment of a five-part series UNMC Today ran this week to introduce the UNMC Public Relations department, its teams and their responsibilities. Click on the links below to view the previous four stories. Part 1 — Getting to know UNMC Public Relations Part 2 — Telling the UNMC story through the media Part 3 — Advancing the mission: Team creates awareness, builds support Part 4 — Telling UNMC’s story online and in print See more about the public relations department at the UNMC news portal.

The UNMC Web team had a rewarding 2008. Some of the projects launched last year include:

• Sorrell Center Web site — This project included a time-lapse video of the construction of the building, a virtual tour, live webcast of the groundbreaking events and a slideshow of the grand opening events;
  
• I Love UNMC — The video contest featured employees and friends of UNMC in self-made videos;
  
• Campus Events Center Web site — This site facilitates the rental of the Truhlsen Campus Event Center in the Sorrell Center and gives a glimpse inside the facility through stunning photography;
  
• Rovion messages — Last year, grand openings and groundbreakings were advertised by individuals and students appearing on UNMC’s home page and inviting our Web visitors to the events;
  
• Live webcasts — The ceremonies for the Sorrell Center grand opening, the Home Instead Center for Successful Aging groundbreaking and the Harold M. and Beverly Maurer Center for Public Health groundbreaking were webcast live for those who were unable to attend in person.

Gillespie said 2009 promises to be equally as exciting for UNMC’s Web team.

The launch of UNMC’s new Public Relations site will give visitors an overview of all the news and converged communication of the organization. As part of the new branding campaign, the Web site will feature a new design that will reflect UNMC’s world-class image.

“We aim to be a leader among the nation’s academic health science centers in terms of our Web sites and use of the Internet to spread the medical center’s message,” Gillespie said.