By: Jason Molinet
Barbara Osborn has been appointed vice president of public relations at Northwell Health, New York’s largest health system and private employer. She replaces Terry Lynam, who recently retired after serving as senior vice president and chief public relations officer.
In her new role, Ms. Osborn, of Rockville Centre, will oversee all media relations, thought leadership and strategic communications for Northwell Health, including the health system’s 23 hospitals and the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research. Since January, Ms. Osborn has been at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic, connecting the media with Northwell’s clinical and non-clinical experts to provide an inside view of the crisis.
“Barbara Osborn’s deep knowledge of the health system and media landscape made her an ideal fit to take on this leadership role at a challenging moment in our history,” said Michael J. Dowling, Northwell’s president and CEO. “Her ability to clearly and transparently communicate with the public what’s happening at our hospitals has never been more vital than during this pandemic.”
New era for Northwell public relations team
Ms. Osborn assumes her new position after spending 18 years at Lenox Hill Hospital, where she advanced in positions with progressive responsibilities from media relations manager to assistant vice president of regional public relations for Northwell’s Western Region, which encompasses Manhattan, Westchester and Staten Island. During her tenure, she directed the public relations team, managing media relations, crisis communications and content development. She also led communications strategy for large systemwide initiatives such as The Fin, Northwell’s innovative amphibious prosthetic, and the new Netflix docuseries, “Lenox Hill,” which chronicles the daily life of four Manhattan-based clinicians.
Prior to Lenox Hill, Ms. Osborn served as director of public relations for John T. Mather Memorial Hospital in Port Jefferson, NY, where she oversaw all public relations for the hospital. She began her career as a journalist in the news departments of both Fox News Channel and News 12 Long Island.
“Barbara is a proven force and we are thrilled to have her follow in the footsteps of Terry Lynam, who played a key role in building the health system’s impeccable reputation during his long tenure,” said Ramon Soto, senior vice president and chief marketing and communications officer for Northwell Health. “Barbara has consistently demonstrated strong leadership skills as PR chief for our Western Region, and we know she will make an easy transition to PR chief for the entire health system.”
Ms. Osborn, a mother of three, graduated from Stony Brook University with a degree in English and journalism.
Joe Kemp, a seasoned New York City journalist who spent stints in the newsrooms at the New York Post and New York Daily News, will assume the role of associate vice president of public relations for the Western Region. He was most recently managing editor of news content at The Post. www.northwell.edu
