USA Health Marketing and Communications team wins second Telly award in two years
Kasey Barnhill was rushed to USA Health University Hospital after an all-terrain vehicle accident left her fighting for life. She suffered multiple fractures of her vertebrae, punctured lungs and severe blood loss, among other injuries.
By Casandra Andrews
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Members of the USA Health Office of Marketing and Communications were recognized with a Bronze Telly during the 46th Telly Awards held in May. The group won for a video in the biography, non-broadcast category that chronicled patient Kasey Barnhill's journey through treatment at USA Health University Hospital.
The video, shot by USA Health staff videographer Andrew Conniff, is posted on USA Health’s YouTube channel and on social media accounts.
“It’s truly an honor to be able to tell stories that reflect the compassionate care and life-saving efforts that our patients experience daily from our exceptional staff across the academic health system,” Marie Katz, executive director for the Office of Marketing and Communications said. “Andrew has such a talent for conveying emotion through video. To be recognized with an international award for the second year in a row is such a testament to his consistently outstanding work.”
Conniff conducted interviews with Barnhill and her family at their Baldwin County home, while also filming the piece and completing postproduction work. Carol McPhail, associate director for marketing and communications, also contributed to the award-winning entry.
On a rainy December night in 2022, Barnhill was rushed by ambulance to University Hospital after an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accident left her clinging to life. She suffered multiple fractures of her vertebrae and ribcage, she explained in the video, and severe blood loss, among other injuries.
“USA Health was there in the most crucial time of my life,” Barnhill said. “Everything that USA did for me was beyond what I could have ever imagined. They saved my life.”
Emergency and trauma surgery teams at University Hospital – the only level 1 trauma center in the region – initially performed surgeries and procedures spanning more than three days to help the young woman get her life back.
The Telly Awards, the world’s largest honor for video and television across all screens, are judged by The Telly Awards Judging Council — an industry body of more than 200 leading experts from advertising agencies, production companies, and major television networks reflective of the multi-screen industry The Telly Awards celebrate. All judges have previously won a Silver Telly Award.
Last year, Conniff and other staff members won a Silver Telly Award for a video chronicling patient Cam Marston’s journey through treatment at University Hospital’s Comprehensive Stroke Center.
