Earning media coverage is hard. Doing that AND becoming an expert that media outlets turn to for quotes, comments and articles is VERY HARD. Dr. Anton C, Bizzell, CEO of The Bizzell Group, channeled his passion for two important causes and pulled off this rare feat in the past 18 months. That’s why he won the 2021 Medigy HITMC Award for Best Use of Media Relations.
New Award
This year, the HITMC Awards Committee decided to create a new category for Media Relations in recognition of (a) how important this aspect of marketing is and (b) how difficult it is to stand out when there are so many media outlets available and how discerning those outlets are when it comes to stories and experts sought for commentary.
The Best Use of Media Relations Award recognizes the effective and creative use of media relations to execute or support a public relations campaign. There were many worthy and notable nominations, but in the end The Bizzell Group won the Award in the Health IT Company category.
Social Justice
Dr. Bizzell is passionate about the Black Lives Matter movement. He has spoken openly about the systemic barriers that disproportionately impact the black community. It is something he has experienced firsthand.
“I remember in the city, there were only three African American physicians,” recounted Dr. Bizzell. “Then at one point there was only one, who was covering a six county area. A lot of folks that looked like me didn’t even go to the doctor because they didn’t have anyone they felt comfortable with or felt truly understood their situation.”
The lack of racial diversity in healthcare is a significant barrier and we have a long way to go in addressing it. According to the AAMC, in 2018, 56.2% active physicians in the US were white, 17.1% Asian and only 5% Black or African American. Yet, 13.4% of the population is Black or African American.
As an African American physician, Dr. Bizzell felt obligated to stand up and bring attention to one particular aspect of healthcare’s inequity – the fact that African Americans are more likely to experience or report persistent symptoms of emotional distress, sadness, fear and anxiety due to the ongoing biases in the U.S. This drives many into substance abuse which perpetuates the cycle.
Dr. Bizzell’s passion for this cause led him to the media.
Uneasy at First
Though he admits he was uneasy at first about really speaking out on these issues, the more he spoke, the more comfortable he became. He didn’t try to say the things people expected him to say, but rather spoke what was in his heart.
The feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
He had an opportunity to be featured in the Washington Business Journal where he told his story and brought light to the social injustices he experienced and he is fighting to address today.
“One of the best life changes for me was really when I started my business,” said Dr. Bizzell. “I created upward mobility not just for myself, but also those who I mentored. By putting this article out there, it let everyone know that we’re not in this alone. We need everybody to come to the table to really make a difference and get this economy moving in the direction that we really know it can go.”
Dr. Bizzell takes his responsibility as a Black business owner (and as a board member of the US Chamber of Commerce) seriously, noting that he and other business owners and community leaders share the responsibility of decreasing inequalities and injustice for Black and minority communities.
Continued Success
The Bizzell Group, a strategy consulting and technology firm that designs innovative solutions to help build healthy, secure, and sustainable communities in the US and around the world, has benefitted from the media exposure. They are seen as being socially-aware and have positioned themselves at the unique junction of healthcare, business and racial equity.
Of course, Dr. Bizzell didn’t start down the Public Relations path to earn business. He just wanted to tell this story and talk about issues that were important to him. Luckily he had a knack for dealing with the media and a savvy team at The Bizzell Group who found opportunities with the media.
As his media success grew, Dr. Bizzell brought on the team at KNB Communications to help manage the media and PR.
Watch the full interview with Dr. Bizzell to learn more about:
- How Dr. Bizzell and business owners are addressing the achievement gap between white students and BIPOC students
- The specific ways CEOs can be part of the solution in addressing inequities
- The impact COVID-19 had on mental health and substance abuse, and what the Bizzell Group is doing to address it
- Dr. Bizzell’s advice on how leaders can be successful
Fantastic piece and thanks for giving this very important message an even broader reach! Health equity is so important, as is breaking down systemic barriers!