President's Message 

It is an honor to serve as the Board President of the Mid-Atlantic Society for Healthcare Marketing and Strategic Development (MASHSMD) for the next 18 months. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to lead alongside such an accomplished Board and community of professionals.

Together, MASHSMD is proud to serve as the voice and resource for healthcare strategists, marketers, and communications leaders across Virginia, DC, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New Jersey, and New York — a region filled with some of the nation’s most innovative health systems, academic institutions, payers, and mission-driven healthcare organizations.

Our work has never been more important. Healthcare is evolving at extraordinary speed: patients and communities expect greater transparency and personalization; digital engagement continues to accelerate; and trust remains the foundation of every healthcare relationship. At the same time, our field is navigating rapid advances in technology — especially AI — along with shifting regulations, new care delivery models, and a heightened demand for equity, inclusion, and measurable outcomes.

In this environment, healthcare marketing, strategic development, and communications are not simply about promoting services. They are about supporting access, empowering informed decisions, strengthening reputation, and ultimately contributing to better health outcomes. That is why the role of MASHSMD — and the work of each member — matters so profoundly.

Over the coming 18 months, we will focus on ensuring that MASHSMD remains the region’s most valuable professional network and learning community. Our priorities will center on three key commitments:

1. Strengthening Professional Development and Best Practices

We will continue to expand opportunities for learning and growth through programming, events, and shared resources that help members navigate the realities of modern healthcare marketing and communications with confidence and clarity.

2. Championing Innovation and Responsible Leadership

As our field adopts new technologies and tools, we have a responsibility to lead with integrity. We will promote thoughtful dialogue and practical guidance around innovation — especially AI — while working through challenges.

3. Building Community, Connection, and Regional Influence

We will deepen engagement across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast corridor by fostering connections among professionals and amplifying the expertise and perspectives of our members. We will also pursue partnerships that strengthen our impact and elevate healthcare marketing as a strategic force within the healthcare ecosystem, all while celebrating successes along the way.

MASHSMD is at its best when it brings professionals together to learn, challenge one another, share solutions, and elevate the standards of our industry. Whether you are a rising star or a seasoned professional, MASHSMD has something to offer — from learning and networking opportunities to inspiration, leadership development, and meaningful professional relationships.

To get the most out of your membership, please consider attending our annual conference (the 2026 annual conference takes place April 20-22 at the Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards), join one of our committees, as well as our virtual Member Meet Ups throughout the year. Consider submitting a discussion topic or case study to share and you might event want to coordinate a local in-person Meet Up. Please read our monthly newsletter, The Current, where each issue brings you a mix of timely healthcare marketing insights, thought leadership from our Board, and curated articles to keep your strategy sharp.

If you have any ideas around taking our chapter to the next level, don’t hesitate to let me know. Please email me at [email protected] or connect on LinkedIn. And don’t forget to follow the LinkedIn MASHSMD page). There are many things we can do to advance our chapter, and by extension, our teams. 

Thank you for being part of this community and for the work you do every day to advance healthcare through strategy, marketing, and communications. I look forward to all that we will accomplish together over the next 18 months.

With appreciation,
Nikki Laska
Board President, Mid-Atlantic Society for Healthcare Marketing and Strategic Development