The PCCS Secretariat Team
In the healthcare industry, continuous education is essential for healthcare professionals (HCPs) in primary and secondary care to inform their continuing professional development. Many medical societies and organisations play a fundamental role in providing accessible education to HCPs. However, many societies are made up of hard-pressed HCPs, known as ‘council members’, who are often juggling a fast-paced environment and a busy workload. To support operations, many groups are beginning to turn to professional secretariat services to ensure they are able to achieve their mission and objectives.
At LCW we provide professional secretariat support as well as industry insight and strategic advice that we can tailor to an organisation’s needs, in an ever-changing industry. In this article, we explore LCW’s secretariat support to the Primary Care Cardiovascular Society (PCCS), and we hear from each member of the PCCS team, who bring their own skills and unique perspective to consolidate the day-to-day running of a society.
Jade Prentice on strategic input and business development
As Project Director for the PCCS, Jade leads the secretariat team across PCCS projects, including their annual conferences, the CVD Academy, industry partnerships and webinars. Jade also leads the general management and running of the society, as well as supporting with strategic input, business development and objectives for the society.
Jade’s role includes assisting the society with horizon-scanning, advising council and directors on future strategy and direction and providing general support to the council and directors. She also assists with financial processes, including budget management and forecasting for the society. As well as working closely with society sponsors, to build relationships and secure sponsorship opportunities for the society’s educational initiatives.
Helen Makris on marketing and partnerships
Helen manages all marketing initiatives for the society as well as leading the partnerships with relevant groups and organisations.
Helen’s primary objective as part of the LCW and PCCS team is to retain its exponential membership growth, create brand awareness, oversee communications and drive delegate attendance; allocating financial resources to maximise return on investment. Her extensive experience in medical communications, brand development, copywriting, navigating complex relationships, and PR strategy, has built a solid framework which provides the insight to perform effective and efficient delivery.
The relationship with the PCCS is a very special one, it is one of true synergy and mutual support. In communications, it’s just as important to listen as it is to ‘shout your message from the rooftops’; feedback on what our audience seeks for its own growth and success is an important factor in the content and activities we provide. This leads on to the benefits of collaborating with other societies and institutions that align with our goals and values. Helen works on a continually growing amount of mutually beneficial partnerships, developing strategies that advance each partner, provide success in the delivery of messages and extend target audience reach.
Sophie Voss on events and educational initiatives
As a senior project executive, Sophie plays a pivotal role on the management of the society’s educational initiatives and conferences throughout the year. Her responsibilities encompass organising a mix of virtual and face-to-face conferences, e-learning modules and quality improvement programmes ensuring they are seamlessly executed and deliver high-quality educational content to our members and HCPs.
The work Sophie undertakes on these projects significantly benefits the society as it enhances the professional development and education of its members by ensuring they have access to the latest guidance, advancements, best practices and networking opportunities throughout the year with colleagues. Additionally, these initiatives help to create an appetising offering to encourage new members to join, supporting overall growth.
Ruth Downing on website and online e-learning academy
Ruth has helped implement the new PCCS website which includes the online e-learning academy.
To support a society effectively they must have an online presence. All of the above activities from marketing to events, to educational initiatives have to have a website, membership database and social media platforms in place to maximise the reach and impact a successful society seeks.
The modern design of the website makes it inviting to view and easy to navigate. It has a browsing area for all healthcare professionals and a membership area with educational content, news and our all-important online e-learning academy, which the PCCS call the CVD Academy.
The CVD Academy provides PCCS members with a variety of educational resources on cardiovascular disease. We have a wide range of different categories surrounding CVD, the content is divided into modules, and a resources page features the latest guidelines and relevant publications. Each module is CPD accredited and you can download a certificate directly from the Academy. In addition to these modules, recordings and slides from our PCCS Conferences are available to view.
Annabelle Masham on administration services
Annabelle, a project executive, plays a pivotal role within the organisation, focusing on membership and registration enquiries, membership management, website updates, and various administrative tasks. Her extensive background in the medical event industry, spanning over four years, brings invaluable insight and expertise to her team. Annabelle's diligent work ensures seamless coordination and support for the PCCS team, enabling them to effectively engage with members and stakeholders. Her attention to detail and proactive approach significantly contribute to the smooth functioning of the organisation.
In summary
The partnership between LCW and the PCCS exemplifies the vital role of professional secretariat services in supporting medical societies. By handling administrative tasks, improving communication, and ensuring efficient event management, LCW enables PCCS to focus on its core mission of advancing cardiovascular care. As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, such partnerships help sustain the growth and success of medical organisations.