From Classroom to Conference: ADPR Associate Professor, Bree Holtz, Talks Telehealth
AD+PR associate professor researches and discusses the challenges in healthcare and mental health
By: Maggie Dillon
For over a decade, Bree Holtz, an associate professor in MSU’s Department of Advertising and Public Relations, has been a leader in technology and health communication research.
Holtz collaborated with MSU Athletics and the University of Alabama to support the mental health of student-athletes through a mobile app. The app functions as a “choose your own adventure” on how athletes can address their and others mental health, while decreasing the stigma surrounding it. Access to telehealth, like this app, provides individuals easier access to healthcare providers when they might not normally have that opportunity.
In summer 2024, Holtz hosted 29 telehealth innovators, experts and practitioners to address the future of telehealth access in MSU’s first Telehealth Think Tank at the Kellogg Center. Each day of the conference focused on different aspects of healthcare, such as education, clinical opportunities, education, policy and technology.
“There was a lot of networking and collaboration that I think will continue after the conference,” said Holtz. “Bringing people from different aspects will help keep us thinking about it in different ways. For me, it’s been an opportunity to connect with people and to get the word out.”
Holtz’s research and expertise in technology and health communication is reflected in the undergraduate and graduate courses she teaches. In those courses she focuses on how to create messaging and campaigns, and the strategies and tactics that go into it.
“When working with the athletes, you just can’t make something without knowing them and really thinking back about that, and what tactics and strategies to use,” said Holtz. “So, my research is very aligned with most of those classes. I talk about theory in both, but the graduate class is really focused on how the theory can guide and be a strategy, a tool for strategy, in thinking about ways in which to change behavior.”
In addition to those courses, Holtz teaches ADV 402, a public relations course that allows students to network with industry professionals in a non-intimidating environment. Each week, a public relations professional comes in to discuss what their job is like and give advice to those who want to go into that profession.
“It’s important to have the speakers come in, who are boots on the ground thinking about it, to help guide what I’m teaching in my other classes, and to give students network connections and a sense of the current state of PR,” said Holtz. “I’ve heard back from students who have connected with the speakers, any of them have found mentors and job opportunities with the speakers, either with them or being referred by them.”
Learn more about Holtz’s work here.