MHA Communications Retreat

MHA Advocacy and Strategic Plan Update

Laura Appel, executive vice president, government relations & public policy, MHA

During this session, Appel will provide an update on state and federal healthcare priorities. She will detail how hospital leaders and communications teams can navigate new obstacles in the evolving healthcare landscape and uplift communication that tells the hospital story.

Reputation and Brand Management

Tim McIntyre, author and veteran communications and public relations professional

McIntyre, an experienced communicator and former Domino’s Pizza executive, will share insights on reputation management, drawing parallels between his experience and the issues hospitals face today. He will discuss how to combat negative and untrue narratives, challenges with government regulations and how he successfully led efforts that skyrocketed Dominos to the top pizza brand in the world, awarding him PR News’ 2009 Crisis Manager of the year. The session will also overview research findings from the MHA related to the public perception of hospitals and what efforts are underway by the association to combat misconceptions.

Crisis Communication Panel

Crisis Communication Panel with Catherine Dewey and Mark Geary

This panel will feature MHA members highlighting lessons learned from past crises in healthcare. It will also highlight working with the media and leveraging media relationships. Jeff Gaunt will moderate the session.

Crisis Communication Tabletop Exercise

Jeff Gaunt, founder and principal of Gaunt Strategies

This interactive session will include a simulated crisis communication tabletop exercise. Gaunt will highlight best practices and use real-world examples to create an immersive experience. This session will help communicators learn the importance that speed, accuracy, empathy, transparency and accountability play in strong crisis communications. Attendees will also walk away with a first-hour checklist, templates and a brief action plan to help strengthen crisis communication readiness in 30 days.

Laura Appel is executive vice president of government relations and public policy at the MHA. She has executive oversight of the MHA’s Capitol Advocacy Center, which houses the policy, advocacy, finance and public affairs functions of the organization. She is an expert in auto insurance and legislative policy and has a proven ability to influence legislation and healthcare policy through her understanding of the issues, educating influencers and policymakers, and introducing fresh ideas.

Since joining the MHA staff in 2000, Appel has focused on strategic priorities related to state and federal lobbying and healthcare policy analysis. She served as vice president of federal policy and advocacy, executive director of the MHA Health Reform Resource Center, senior vice president of strategic initiatives, senior vice president and chief innovation officer, and senior vice president, health policy & innovation, prior to being named to her current position in February 2022. Crain’s Detroit Business acknowledged Appel in 2020 as one of Crain’s 2020 Notable Women in Health, joining 40 other women recognized for making a difference for patients, their businesses and in the healthcare field.

Catherine Dewey is a seasoned marketing and communications professional with nearly two decades of experience spanning healthcare, tourism, and software industries. She currently serves as the Regional Marketing and Communications Manager for Munson Healthcare’s East Region, where she leads strategic initiatives that drive engagement and growth.

Originally from Escanaba, Michigan, Dewey earned her Bachelor of Science in Communications with a minor in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point. She went on to complete her Master’s in Communication from Eastern New Mexico University in May 2024. Her early career included a formative internship at a London, England based public relations firm, which sparked her passion for public relations and crisis communication.

Dewey brings a thoughtful, people-centered approach to her work, blending analytical insight with creative storytelling. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys life in Petoskey, Michigan, with her husband of 16 years and their two children, ages 11 and 13.

Jeff Gaunt is the founder and principal of Gaunt Strategies, a crisis and reputation consultancy providing crisis communications strategy, preparedness and spokesperson training. Throughout his career, Gaunt has guided hospitals and health systems across the country addressing issues such as high-profile patient deaths, threats, sentinel events, tax and financial issues, executive misconduct and more. Previously a managing director at Lambert—where he led the firm’s Crisis & Reputation practice—Gaunt has guided organizations through cyber events, adverse outcomes, high-profile litigation, recalls, regulatory scrutiny and more. He has partnered with dozens of hospitals and healthcare systems across the country on crisis preparedness, response, and spokesperson training— addressing issues such as high-profile patient deaths, threats, sentinel events, executive misconduct, tax and financial issues, and more. Gaunt began his career as a journalist at the Chicago Daily Herald and then worked in the Illinois State Senate as a speechwriter, communications advisor and policy/appropriations staffer. He worked in Thailand as a foreign media advisor to the Thai government in 2010.

Mark Geary, MA, APR, is senior director of communications at Corewell Health, where he leads a statewide team specialized in crisis and issues management. His team oversees strategic communications related to legal matters, financial operations, government affairs, mergers and acquisitions. Geary also serves on the Corewell Health East Executive Leadership Team, contributing to key decision-making and organizational growth. Prior to his current role, Geary led a wide range of communications functions at Beaumont Health, including internal and external communications, physician communications, executive communications, media relations, crisis response and physician liaisons. He began his career at Beaumont in 2014 as a media relations coordinator.

Geary is a graduate of several distinguished leadership programs, such as Leadership Detroit, Crain’s Leadership Academy, and Leadership Oakland, where he currently serves on the Board of Directors. In 2020, he was recognized as one of Oakland County’s Elite 40 Under 40. He has also completed FEMA disaster response training at the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Alabama.

Prior to transitioning to healthcare communications, Mark spent a decade working as a TV news reporter in Missouri, Michigan, Iowa and North Carolina. During his journalism career, Mark received honors including two Emmy Awards and a Society of Professional Journalists National Sigma Delta Chi Award. He earned both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri- Columbia. In 2020, he earned his Accreditation in Public Relations (APR). In his free time, Geary enjoys long distance running and coaching his son’s soccer team.

Tim McIntyre, an author and veteran communications and public relations professional, has 40 years of experience. He joined Domino’s Pizza in 1985 and retired in 2022 as executive vice president, leading internal communications, public and media relations, crisis communications, event management, philanthropy, investor relations and government affairs. At Domino’s, he became known for addressing difficult topics and rebuilding trust among customers.

As Domino’s chief spokesperson, McIntrye represented the company in major national and international media, including The Today Show, Nightline, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, New York Times and many others. He led media relations during the elimination of Domino’s famous 30-minute guarantee in 1993, conducting more than 300 interviews with media worldwide over a three-day span.

In 2009, PR News named him Crisis Manager of the Year. At the 2025 MHA Communications Retreat, McIntyre will draw parallels between his experiences and the challenges facing hospitals today, focusing on reputation management, rebuilding trust, creating transparency and simplifying the healthcare experience for patients.

Registration Details

The registration fee is $35 per person. Breakfast, refreshments and lunch will be provided. Please register by Sept. 19 to attend the retreat.

Overnight Hotel Accommodations

Overnight room reservations for the Candlewood Suites by IHG can be made online or by calling 1-877-226-3539.

This event may be photographed and/or videotaped. Your attendance will indicate your consent for the use of such photographs or videotapes for educational and/or promotional purposes.