Media Relations
If you are a member of the media, call us at 984-974-1140 with your request. On weekends, holidays and after 5 p.m. on weeknights, please leave a voicemail that will reach our on-call person.
The media relations team identifies and promotes UNC School of Medicine achievements. This includes cutting-edge findings in basic and clinical research, service across North Carolina and the world, as well as advances in patient care. With years of journalism experience among its staff, the media relations team is committed to responding to media inquires in a timely manner.
We provide a range of services, including:
- News releases, tip sheets, media advisories and social media
- Crisis communication and issues management
- Scripts and video production
- Help media to identify experts who can comment on the news of the day
- Media training
- Development of media strategies for major journal publications, medical meetings and clinical advances
- Media escorts (reporters must be escorted at all times while on site)
- General media inquiries including patient conditions
Working closely with the Carolina News Studio housed in the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media, we can provide expertise 24/7. The state-of-the-art facility allows for live and pre-recorded interviews.
Visit http://news.unchealthcare.org/ to see the latest news from UNC Health Care and the UNC School of Medicine.
Phil Bridges
Executive Director of Integrated Communications
Office: 984-974-1152
Mobile: 919-457-6347
Email: Phil.Bridges@unchealth.unc.edu
As director of integrated communications, Phil Bridges leads UNC Health’s internal and external communications efforts. He brings 30 years of communications experience across a wide variety of disciplines, including Health at a Fortune 500 company. Among Phil’s goals is to harmonize various communications efforts across different entities — including the UNC School of Medicine — within a single organization. He joined UNC Health’s Communications team in the spring of 2017.
Alan Wolf
Director, Local News & Issues
Office: 919-784-4467
Mobile: 919-218-7103
Email: Alan.Wolf@unchealth.unc.edu
In his role as director of local news & issues, Alan and helps coordinate media relations efforts across UNC Health. In that role, he works with journalists from a wide range of media outlets to share expertise, clinical research and inspiring stories at Rex, UNC Medical Center and other affiliates within UNC Health. He has been with Rex and UNC Health since 2011.
Mark Derewicz
Director, Research & National News
Office: 984-974-1915
Mobile: 919-923-0959
Email: Mark.Derewicz@unchealth.unc.edu
In his role director of research and national news, Mark oversees content creation and distribution for the UNC School of Medicine, focusing on research, science and education. Mark manages internal and external communication for the school and oversees Vital Signs. Mark also works closely with university colleagues to coordinate communication. Mark started at UNC Health in September 2013. Previously, he was the senior writer for Endeavors, UNC’s award-winning magazine dedicated to research at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Brittany T. Phillips
Communications Specialist
Office: 984-974-1135
Email: Brittany.Phillips@unchealth.unc.edu
In her role as a communications specialist, Brittany writes news stories on clinical research, coordinates media relations efforts, and develops content for other publications. Brittany is also a videographer who loves to capture the visual aspect of storytelling throughout UNC Health Care. She joined the UNC Health Care team in the fall of 2019.
Tom Hughes
Communications Specialist
Office: 984-974-1151
Mobile: 919-627-5510
Email: Tom.Hughes@unchealth.unc.edu
Tom writes news stories about clinical research and other clinical activities of UNC Health. He also helps manage our social media sites and performs media relations activities. Tom has been with UNC Health since 2001.