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Media Inquiries
Last updated: 02/20/2008
Charles Shumaker, Interim Media & Community Relations Manager
Cabell Huntington Hospital's Public Relations & Marketing Department welcomes the opportunity to respond to media requests for interviews, expert spokespersons, copies of news releases, health information and information about patients' conditions. Our goal is to assist the media with requests for information as promptly and efficiently as possible.
You can reach Charles Shumaker, Interim Media & Community Relations Manager, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at (304) 399-6742. If he is out of the office, please call Chris Koenig, Communications Manager, at (304) 526-2004 or Doug Sheils at (304) 526-6392.
Weekends & After Hours
After normal business hours, please call the main hospital number, (304) 526-2000, and ask for the nursing supervisor on duty. If you want a patient's condition, the nursing supervisor will be able to give you that information as long as the patient is not listed as confidential in our patient directory. If you want an interview or need additional information, the nursing supervisor will contact Charles, who will then contact you.
Interim Media & Community Relations Manager Charles Shumaker: charles.shumaker@chhi.org
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Releasing Patient Information
In keeping with federal HIPAA regulations, no information regarding patients may be released unless consent is given. One-word conditions that may be released are defined below:
- Good: No imminent danger of deterioration; making satisfactory progress toward normal health
- Fair: Satisfactory; moderately ill but potentially good
- Serious: Seriously ill; potentially critical
- Critical: Life-threatening
Interviews
Members of the media must schedule all on-site and telephone interviews with Cabell Huntington Hospital staff members, patients, family members and volunteers through Charles Shumaker, Interim Media & Community Relations Manager, in the Marketing & Public Relations Department. He and the staff will do everything possible to arrange interviews; however, patient care is our first priority.
A Public Relations & Marketing Department staff member must escort members of the media at all times while on campus to ensure the security and privacy of patients and families. All parents or guardians of patients under 18 must sign a consent form before a patient may be videotaped, photographed or interviewed. Patients at least 18 years of age may provide consent for themselves.