This document outlines past activities and proposals for future project management by Sutherland Media for UIC Neurosurgery and the Chicago Brain Aneurysm Foundation support group. It details communication initiatives that have reached over 6 million people, as well as event planning that has raised over $150,000. Going forward, Sutherland Media proposes continuing support group promotion, creating a first responders education program, and serving as the UIC Neurosurgery project manager.

1. Sutherland Media Project Management Proposal
Recap of past activities
Support Group Consulting
Support Group Communications
Media Initiatives
Sports team collaboration
Event planning

2. Support Group Communications
 Trib local online ads
 WGN Radio calendar
 WTMX Radio Calendar
 CBS Calendar
 Yelp
 Facebook
 Comcast Cable TV PSA
 Chicago aneurysm support online ads
 Chicagnow (Chicago Tribune web site) featured Maria Micheletto and
Dr. Hanjani as well as the “Brainstormers.”
UIC neurosurgery received a letter of recognition from Congress
 Reach : 200,000
 Value: $60,000

3. Event planning
 “Survivor In The City” event (3 years) We raised at least $18,000. We reviewed
and initiated payment from the BAF. We were able to seek sponsorship from :
Marbles The Brain Store, The Goodman Theater, Chicago Symphony
Orchestra, Anniko Salon & Spa, Park Lane Jewlery etc…
 “Relay for Recovery” involving NSICU runners ($6000 donations were raised for
patient support etc…) We organized t shirt, food, water donations etc..
 Video production for the event value $200
 Public Service announcement for the event which aired on Comcast Cable
throughout Illinois.
 Cookbook creation, featuring UIC patients and highlights the department
 Outcome: Awareness among the Chicago business community and among
patients and other hospital patients and their families.
 Value: $150,000
 Reach: 1 million people

4. PR samples
 By janetes, December 21, 2012 at 10:51 am
 Gift of Hope
 On October 23, 2006, 38 year old Maria Micheletto was in her Lockport, IL home when she was struck with the “worst
headache of [her] life”. She could barely walk and army crawled to the phone to get help. By the time she arrived at a local
hospital, Micheletto was paralyzed from the waist down. She sat in the ER waiting room for three long “excruciating” hours while
a series of misdiagnoses occurred. Micheletto was then flown to University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System where
neurosurgeon Dr. Amin-Hanjani performed a craniotomy to repair her ruptured brain aneurysm. Micheletto said, “Dr. Hanjani’s
staff was fabulous when I was in the hospital. While in the ICU, the nursing care was above great.” University of Illinois
neurosurgeons rank first in the state for treating the most aneurysm cases.
Micheletto was deeply inspired by the care she received at the University of Illinois Hospital and because of this she re-directed
her career and recently
became a nurse. Micheletto is a mother of two young children, has a busy nursing schedule at a suburban hospital and still finds
time to support brain aneurysm survivors. She was one of the FIRST survivors to join the support group in Chicago and has
become an important contributor to the Chicago BAF chapter through fundraisers, phone calls to survivors and through her
inspiring story.
 According to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation “aneurysms represent a very serious illness which is associated with a high rate
of mortality and disability.” Micheletto can confirm that having survived a ruptured aneurysm is a very difficult experience to
have gone through and can be extremely unsettling. Gathering information about the condition can help ease this fear, help
begin the healing process, and bring a sense of comfort and support during a trying time. As a new nurse Micheletto can ease a
patients’ anxiety as they recover through any illness by sharing her story. Her nursing skills and recovery will help others heal
and strive for a healthy life, she provides daily, a Gift of Hope. For more information about brain aneurysms log onto
www.bafound.org or the support group at www.chicagoaneurysmsupport.com orwww.uicneurosurgery.com.

5. (Staff at the UIH NSICU posted this
article in their unit. I pitched the story
to the local newspaper and coached
Maria.)

6. Brainstormers featured in the
cookbook distributed nationally
Changing the world each day with kindness
The ”Brainstormers” University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System neurosurgery nurses,
pharmacists, occupational therapists, physical therapists and speech pathologists, ran a 200 mile
relay from Madison, Wisconsin ,to Chicago to raise money for The Brain Aneurysm Foundation.
The University of Illinois Hospital treats the most brain aneurysms in the state and is the
home of the ONLY Chicago Chapter of the Brain Aneurysm Foundation.
As the “Brainstormers” ran across the Midwest to raise funds they were cheered on by survivors
from their beds in the ICU and family members who had lost loved ones. They also received
support from U of I medical staff. Their impressive drive and commitment to not only care for
patients but to raise money for aneurysm research and support has provided hope to Illinois
survivors. Dr. Sepideh Amin-Hanjani, University of Illinois at Chicago Professor and Program
Director Co-director, Neurovascular Surgery says the runner’s efforts are significant. “I think the
runners represent the best of that remarkable quality we see every day in our team of
professionals caring for patients with brain aneurysms – a willingness to go above and beyond, to
go that extra mile. In this case, literally! Their dedication to successfully completing this
fundraising relay provides much needed support to the Brian Aneurysm Foundation in its mission
to provide education and research funding, both critical to helping advance the care of brain
aneurysm survivors.” The "Brainstormers" reached their $5000 fundraising goal and plan to run
again next year.
Sold 100 cookbooks the first week they went on sale!
Sales came from as far as London, England.

7. Support Group Leadership
 Janet Sutherland assists with the meetings.
 Coordinates with the OCC clinic to ensure the room is available and the doors
will be unlocked.
 Sends out weekly meeting reminders.
 Created a web site with information about the meetings
 Collaborate with affiliated hospitals, Loyola, Resurrection, Hinsdale.
 Maintains patient list.
 Created a brochure/newsletter, magnet.
 Main Contact with the patients who call etc..
 Created a DISCHARGE PACKET for patients when they leave the hospital.
This benefits the department in retain and continual communication and
support of the patient. The packet also assists NSICU to educate patients
before they go home.
 Value: $65,000 (clinical liaison position salary)

8. Public Relations for the Support Group
 A radio public service announcement about
the support group reaches the Midwest on
hundreds radio stations. Produced,voiced
and syndicated by Janet Sutherland.
 Value: $150,000
 Reach : 5 million people

9. Sports team collaboration
 Various sports figures have acted as advocates for
the UI patients and support group as well as
neurosurgery and BAF by appearing at events.
 Chicago Bulls Bob Love
 Chicago White Sox Carlos May
 Value: $80,000

10. OUTREACH EDUCATION PROGRAM
 FIRST RESPONDERS PROGRAM IS BEING CREATED THROUGH
THE LEADERSHIP OF DR. HANJANI, TWO BAF MEDICAL
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS AND CHICAGO BAF DIRECTOR
JANET SUTHERLAND.
 BENEFIT: FIRST RESPONDERS ARE EDUCATED HOW TO
QUICKLY IDENTIFY A BRAIN ANEURYSM AND THEY WILL KNOW
WHICH HOSPITAL TREATS THE MOST BRAIN ANEURYSMS.
 PATIENT WILL RECEIVE LIFE SAVING TREATMENT QUICKER.
 UIC NEUROSURGERY WILL RECEIVE MORE ANEURYSM
PATIENTS QUICKER RATHER THAN THE PATIENTS BEING
TRANSFERRED TO THE HOSPITAL.
 *Will partner with Christa Wellman who can assist with development of
the sketches of the training program and Janet has been asked by the
foundation to oversee the marketing)

11. SUTHERLAND MEDIA CAN SAVE YOU
MORE MONEY IN 2014!
Project Management initiatives:
 support group promotion
 event planning
 Patient education (maintaining the discharge packets, updated brochures
etc..paid for by BAF)
 Assistance in the” FIRST RESPONDERS EDUCATION PROGRAM.”
 Creation of a research grant which will help support the national responders
program as well as support for survivors.
 UIC neurosurgery newsletter, collaboration with Christa Wellman (printing at
Staples).
 Web content. Update the web site content, search for patient stories, and digital
media to include on the web site. Develop, maintain and manage web content.
Responsible for the copyedit and proofread all web content.


12. UIC Project Manager
 Responsible for creating and managing project plans like the first
responders initiative, Neurosurgery newsletter, web site content,
event planning and other identified activities. Will be responsible
for patient education projects like the discharge packet with the
NSICU, support group communication and event planning.
Neurosurgery web site content management:
 For example:
 Creating and writing a blog with the assistance of the
staff/faculty.
 Adding more patient stories.
 Highlighting groundbreaking procedures.
 Adding news stories featuring neurosurgery or their patients.

13. Sutherland Media has helped save
taxpayer dollars!
• You saved $550,000 state dollars. Sutherland Media
has helped UIC neurosurgery to reach 6.2 million
people.
• Sutherland Media can :
• Serve as a resource for brain aneurysm and stroke patients.
Function as a consultant and educator, ensuring quality patient
care and outcomes. Coordinate resources within the health care
team. Participate in continuous patient education activities and
educational experience in support of departmental and divisional
philosophy and objectives, as well as, Health System initiatives.