Case Study

Hinsdale Hospital nestles in a corner of Hinsdale, Illinois. Founded in 1904 by a married couple with immense zeal, prayer and a Civil War officer’s generosity, this Seventh Day Adventist hospital grew and prospered into the 21st century. To commemorate the 100th year, Hinsdale Hospital leaders endorsed the writing of a hard-bound, comprehensive history book. GR-PR was engaged (and privileged) to be the sole writer, and a year later – “Century.”

Objectives:

• create a highly readable book,
• pay homage to Hinsdale Hospital’s founders and pioneers,
• demonstrate gratitude to all living hospital leaders (our target audience),
• record the history of the hospital as a single source.

Strategies/Tactics:

• The text had to be engaging and reader-friendly, or it would be viewed merely as a photo album.
• Paying homage to the founders and pioneers was fundamental to the book’s significance not only as a historical reference but as recognition and respect.
• It was important to “give back” to hundreds of living doctors, administrators, volunteer and community leaders who have had significance.
• The hospital’s history needed to be recorded in a permanent medium, one that would bring order to the jumble of scattered historical files and scrapbooks.

Results:

• Objectives were met or exceeded in every case.
• Readability
• Respectful stories of pioneers
• Use of the book as a thank you gift.
• Creation of a one-source medium for the comprehensive history of Hinsdale Hospital.
• Verbal feedback noted the “warm style.”
• The Paulson descendants mentioned how much they appreciated the well-told story of their ancestors.
• The book was mailed or delivered to hundreds of VIPs.
• No books were sold; each was a gift.
• The history is contained within the covers of “Century.”