The ISHMPR Fall Conference is a two day gathering of healthcare marketing and communications professionals, united under the theme “Rooted in Strategy. Blooming with Creativity.” Members of the Illinois Society for Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations (ISHMPR) along with agencies from across Illinois and beyond will connect, share insights, and spark innovation. Attendees represent hospitals, health systems, clinics, senior living communities, and healthcare partners, all focused on advancing strategies that elevate storytelling, engagement, and the future of healthcare communication.
BPD will be in attendance and we hope to connect and envision the future of healthcare with you.
September 18, 2025, 9:30 AM CT
Tomorrow is Too Late: Time is Running Out for Health Systems to Validate Their Value
Hospitals and health systems have long been targeted by negative narratives that portray them as profit-driven entities prioritizing revenue over patient care. As insurance premiums rise and administrative burdens increase, blame for healthcare costs has shifted to hospitals. This narrative, fueled by media campaigns, academic research, and external pressures, has eroded consumer trust, with many believing hospitals care more about profits than patients. With mounting political and reputational risks, it’s time for hospitals to unite and defend their commitment to quality patient care.
By the end of this session, attendees will be able to:
1
Promote the value of their hospitals and healthcare systems
2
Take a more strategic and proactive approach in defining their reputation within their communities
3
Identify strategies for rebuilding and maintaining trust with patients and the public
Featured Speaker

Email: kcaverno@bpdhealthcare.com
Kate has a deep passion for healthcare and an intuition for anticipating and solving critical challenges. As a Vice President of Communications, and BPD’s Payor-Provider practice lead, Kate combines these traits to help health systems effectively use communications to navigate complicated, high-stakes issues that impact their reputation and bottom-line. Kate’s acute understanding of the healthcare landscape accrued over the last decade has helped clients successfully advance their business objectives.
Kate graduated from the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State University. In her free time, she enjoys serving her suburban-Louisville community as a volunteer firefighter and EMT.

Tomorrow is Too Late
Time is Running Out for Health Systems to Validate Their Value
For nearly a decade, insurers, policymakers, and the public have framed hospitals as caring more about reimbursement and dollars than patient well-being, with occasional acts of charity seen as
PR moves.