- Bill Van Slyke, Principal, Van Slyke Strategic Consulting
- Michelle Peters Wellington, Senior Vice President, SKDKnickerbocker
- Julien Martinez, Director, SKDKnickerbocker
- Roger Noyes, Communications Director, Home Care Association of New York State (moderator)
Bill Van Slyke 
Michelle Peters Wellington 
Julien Martinez
Home care providers have always needed to think proactively and strategically about their communications to all audiences in times of crisis or in response to incidents. The COVID-19 health emergency has made this even more pressing, demanding and risky.
Audit and integrity issues, patient or staff complaints, allegations of misconduct and safety concerns are long-standing risk areas. COVID-19 has greatly amplified these risks in a time of heightened fear, confusion, and greater exposure to communications gaps.
In this session, a panel of PR experts will discuss their perspectives on crisis communications best-practices and considerations for answering a challenge to your reputation from the media, the public, or other stakeholders.
Before starting his own firm, Bill Van Slyke was a longtime Vice President for Marketing and Communications at HANYS, a press officer in Governor Pataki’s Administration, and a deputy commissioner at the state Department of Health.
Michelle Peters Wellington specializes in advocacy, corporate and crisis communications at SKDKnickerbocker. She previously led PR programs in health care and other sectors at Sloane and Company and provided crisis management counsel to clients at CGI Health, a health care communications agency.
Julien Martinez is a member of SKDKnickerbocker’s public affairs office, advising a variety of political, advocacy and non-profit clients. He previously served as Assistant Press Secretary for the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
HCA’s Communications Director Roger Noyes will moderate the discussion.