Richard A. Puff

Richard A. Puff serves as Chief Communications Officer of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. From 2004 until 2019 he served as director and then assistant vice president of the UC Academic Health Center Public Relations and Communications Office.

Puff has more than 35 years experience in academic medicine communications, previously serving as associate director of the Medical Center News Office at Duke University Medical Center & Health System in Durham, NC, and associate director of public relations at Albany Medical Center in Albany, NY. He also has worked as a newspaper reporter for two Upstate New York dailies and in the publishing industry producing numerous baseball titles.

Puff was a key member of the team that coordinated communications efforts following a heart/lung transplant mismatch at Duke in February 2003, which resulted in international news coverage. For those efforts, he and his colleagues were named winners of the 2004 PR NEWS Platinum PR Award in the Crisis Management category and finalists in the Media Relations category. The communications team also received an Award of Excellence from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and an Innovation Honorable Mention Award for Crisis Communications from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Health Academy.

An active member of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), Puff has served on the steering committee of the AAMC Group on Institutional Advancement, been a judge several times for the group’s annual communications awards competition in addition to making numerous presentations at GIA annual meetings.

Bachelor of Science: Utica College of Syracuse University Utica, NY, 1981 (Public Relations and Journalism)

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NY, (Technical Communications)

09-2004 - Assistant Vice President, Public Relations and Communications. , Responsible for direction of external and internal communications, media relations, publications and Web communications. Supervise 29 media relations, communications, graphic design, offset printing, videographic and photographic professionals. Oversee a $2.9 million budget of which $2.2 million is for a recharge-based communications services operation. Serve as chief spokesperson for the institution, provide communications counsel to senior administration, speech writing services and serve on senior communications cabinet for the University of Cincinnati. , University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center, Cincinnati, OH

10-2000 -09-2004 Associate Director, Medical Center & Health System News Office, Responsible for supervising six public information officers, directing media relations efforts, crisis communications issues, editing copy, and providing communications counsel for senior administration. , Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC

06-1986 -10-2000 Associate Director of Public Relations, Duties included coordinating all national, regional and local media relations activities, serving as institution spokesperson, supervising staff, writing news releases, crisis communications, coordinating news conferences and on-line media relations efforts, writing a variety of articles for internal and external publications. From 1986 – 1989, served as editor of Center News, a 13,000-circulation monthly employee publication, provided editorial content and coordinated print production. Additional responsibilities as assistant director included graphic design and production of annual reports, catalogs, books and brochures using an Apple Macintosh™ desktop publishing system. , Albany Medical Center and Albany Medical College, Albany, NY

10-1989 -04-1991 Managing Editor, Duties included coordinating production of all publications, supervising authors and editorial contributors, office and financial management, directing work of type houses and graphic design studios, production of book mechanicals, editing manuscripts, and supervising office staff., Total Baseball, Saugerties, NY

06-1984 -06-1986 Public Relations Specialist, ? Duties included production of news releases, coordination of press conferences, design and production of specialty publications and brochures, development and coordination of publicity campaigns, production of public service announcements for radio and television, writing a public relations column and articles for three monthly magazines, and photography., Professional Insurance Agents, Glenmont, NY

12-1981 -06-1984 General Assignment Reporter and Police Reporter, Responsibilities included coverage of local courts, governments and school boards in western circulation area in addition to feature articles. Served as police reporter from December 1981 through February 1983 covering all police, fire and emergency activities throughout central New York while also producing frequent feature articles., The Daily Press, Utica, NY

06-1981 -12-1981 General Assignment Reporter, Responsibilities included coverage of local courts, governments and school boards in addition to feature articles and a weekly column., The Evening Telegram, Herkimer, NY

Grant: #60027738 G08LM011075 / RF01266227 Investigators:Puff, Richard 09-01-2011 -08-31-2014 National Library of Medicine Reaching a Wider Audience: Modifying NetWellness Content and Outreach Role:PI $37,500.00 Active Level:Federal

Other Publications

Puff, Richard (2004. ) “Silent George Burns” .Road Trips: A Trunkload of Great Articles From Two Decades of Convention Journals, Society for American Baseball Research

Puff, Richard (2004. ) “Crisis at Duke Hospital: The Jesica Santillan Transplant Mismatch Case,” .Coverage, (Spring/Summer ) , ProMutual Group

Puff, Richard (1999. ) “Keep Your Eye Out for Baseball in Bird’s-Eye Views,” .Pictorial History Committee Newsletter, ( June 1999 ) , Society for American Baseball Research

Puff, Richard (1995. ) Nineteenth Century Stars II, Society for American Baseball Research

Puff, Richard (1993. ) “Memorable Moments in Albany Baseball History,” .Albany Yankees Yearbook,

Puff, Richard (1992. ) “The Amazing Story of Victor Starffin,” .The National Pastime, Society for American Baseball Research

Puff, Richard (1992. ) Troy’s Baseball Heritage,

Puff, Richard (1992. ) “Haymakers and Daisycutters: Troy and the National Pastime,” .Troy’s Baseball Heritage,

Puff, Richard (1992. ) “Baseball on Ice,” .New York Alive, (Winter 1992 ) ,

Puff, Richard (1991. ) “’16 Giants Streaked… to Fourth Place,” .USA Today Baseball Weekly, (June 28, 1991 ) ,

Puff, Richard (1991. ) “The Winning Streaks of the 1916 Giants,” .Giants Magazine, (No. 2 ) ,

Puff, Richard (1991. ) “Albany’s Fight for Alabama Pitts,” .Albany Yankees 1991 Yearbook,

Puff, Richard (1990. ) “Silent George Burns: A Star in the Sunfield,” .Giants Magazine, (No. 5 ) ,

Puff, Richard (1990. ) “A Banner Season for the Senators,” .Albany Yankees 1990 Yearbook,

Puff, Richard (1989. ) The National Pastime, Society for American Baseball Research

Puff, Richard (1989. ) Empire State of Base Ball, Society for American Baseball Research

Puff, Richard (1989. ) "The First to Take It on the Road,” .The Empire State of Base Ball, Society for American Baseball Research

Puff, Richard (1989. ) “Albany Baseball: 130 Years Old and Still Going Strong,” .Empire State of Base Ball, Society for American Baseball Research

Puff, Richard (1988. ) Nineteenth Century Stars, Society for American Baseball Research

Puff, Richard (1986. ) “125 Years of Albany Baseball History,” .Albany Old Timer's Day Program,

Puff, Richard (1985. ) Baseball Research Journal, Society for American Baseball Research

Puff, Richard (1983. ) “Silent George Burns: A Star in the Sunfield,” .Baseball Research Journal, (1985 ) , Society for American Baseball Research

Puff, Richard (1980. ) “Can the Boss Act?” .Modern Brewery Age, (December 1980 ) ,

Published Books

Puff, Richard (1991. ) Total Baseball: Second Edition .New York, NY , Warner Books

Book Chapter

Puff, Richard and Molter, Jeff (2011 ) “Crisis Communications in Health Care” 360 Degree View of Health Communication .Sudbury, MA, Jones & Bartlett Publishing (Co-Author)

Encyclopedia Article

Puff, Richard (2003. ) The Encyclopedia of New York State. Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University Press

Puff, Richard (2003. ) The Encyclopedia of New York State. Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University Press

Invited Presentations

Puff, Richard (12-09-2009. ) “Managing Crisis in the Healthcare Facility: Best Practices Workshop,” .Bulldog Reporter’s PR University Online PR Training,

Puff, Richard (11-07-2009. ) “Measuring the End of the World As We Know It – New Rules for 21st Century Communications Measurement,” .Association of American Medical Colleges 2009 Annual Meeting,, Boston, MA.

Puff, Richard and Molter, Jeff (03-27-2008. ) “Building an On-Line Newsroom,” .Association of American Medical Colleges 2008 Group on Institutional Advancement Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA.

Puff, Richard (11-02-2007. ) “New Media Becomes the News Media,” .Association of American Medical Colleges 2007 Annual Meeting, Washington, DC.

Puff, Richard (09-28-2007. ) “The New Era in Public Relations and Journalism,” .Raymond Simon Institute for Public Relations/Utica College Raymond Simon Chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America, Utica, NY.

Puff, Richard (05-18-2007. ) “Dissecting A Crisis: Duke Hospital and the 2003 Heart/Lung Transplant Mismatch” .Public Relations Case Studies (COMM344) College of Arts and Science of Arts and Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH.

Puff, Richard (01-18-2007. ) “Public Relations Ethics” .PR Writing (COMM234) College of Arts and Science of Arts and Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH.

Puff, Richard (05-16-2006. ) “Dissecting A Crisis: Duke Hospital and the 2003 Heart/Lung Transplant Mismatch” .Public Relations Case Studies (COMM344) College of Arts and Science of Arts and Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH.

Puff, Richard (05-04-2006. ) “Communicating During a Crisis,” .PR Writing (COMM234) College of Arts and Science of Arts and Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH.

Puff, Richard (02-22-2006. ) “Communicating During a Crisis,” .PR Writing (COMM234) College of Arts and Science of Arts and Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH.

Puff, Richard (11-09-2005. ) “Crisis Communications,” .PR Writing (COMM234) College of Arts and Science of Arts and Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH.

Puff, Richard (10-17-2005. ) “Jesica Santillan: Crisis at Duke Hospital,” .LifeCenter Organ Donor Network, Cincinnati, OH.

Puff, Richard (04-28-2005. ) “Jesica Santillan and Duke: What We Learned,” .Indiana Healthcare Public Relations and Marketing Society Annual Meeting, Bloomington, IN.

Puff, Richard and Smith, Larry (04-11-2005. ) “Red Alert: How to Stop a Crisis Before It Makes Headlines,” .Media Relations 2005: The Art of Powerful Messaging, San Francisco, CA.

Puff, Richard (01-06-2005. ) “Prepare Your Healthcare Institution for a PR Crisis Before It Strikes: Lessons from the Front Lines,” .Bulldog Reporter Audio Conference,

Puff, Richard (11-10-2004. ) “Jesica Santillan: Crisis at Duke Hospital,” .Public Relations and Marketing Society, Oklahoma Hospital Association Annual Meeting, Oklahoma City, OK.

Puff, Richard (02-24-2004. ) “Crisis Communications,” .PR Day 2004, North Carolina Chapter, Public Relations Student Society of America, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.

Puff, Richard (12-10-2003. ) “Jesica Santillan and Duke: What We Learned,” .MHA Crisis Communications Conference, Massachusetts Hospital Association, Waltham, MA.

Puff, Richard (11-07-2003. ) “Jesica Santillan and Duke: What We Learned,” .Sixth Annual Communications Conference for New York Health Care Communications Professionals, Healthcare Association of New York State, Saratoga Springs, NY.

Puff, Richard (11-12-1999. ) “Albany Med and the Washington County Fair E. Coli Outbreak,” .Second Annual Communications Conference for New York Health Care Communications Professionals, Healthcare Association of New York State, Cooperstown, NY.

Puff, Richard and Sheehan, Paige (10-02-1999. ) “Demystifying the Media,” .Annual Leadership Conference, New York State Chapter, National Association of Social Workers, Albany, NY.

2007 Bronze Award, World Wide Web Health Awards, Miscellaneous/Professional Class, Web Site Category, “UC HealthNews,”

2007 Award of Distinction, Association of American Medical Colleges, Group on Institutional Advancement, Electronic Communications—Web Site, “HealthNews.uc.edu,”

2007 Award of Merit, International Association of Business Communicators, Greater Cincinnati Chapter, Bronze Quill Awards, Electronic & Digital Communications/Internet Sites, “HealthNews.uc.edu,”

2007 Honorable Mention, MarCom Awards, Website Overall Category, “HealthNews.uc.edu,”

2007 Gold Award, W3 Awards (International Academy of the Visual Arts), Education Category, “HealthNews.uc.edu,”

2004 Award of Excellence, Association of American Medical Colleges, Group on Institutional Advancement, Media Campaigns, “The Jesica Santillan Transplant Mismatch at Duke University Medical Center,”

2004 Standard of Excellence WebAward, Web Marketing Association, “Dukemednews.org: Duke University Medical Center’s Cutting Edge Web Site for Media,”

2004 Innovation Honorable Mention Award for Crisis Communications, Public Relations and Issues Management, Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Health Academy, “The Jesica Santillan Transplant Mismatch at Duke University Medical Center,”

2004 First Place, PRNews’ Platinum PR Awards, Crisis Management and Media Relations, “The Jesica Santillan Transplant Mismatch at Duke University Medical Center,”

2004 First Runner Up, PRNews’ Platinum PR Awards, Media Relations, “The Jesica Santillan Transplant Mismatch at Duke University Medical Center,”

2003 Finalist, PRWeek PR Innovation of the Year, “Duke Med MediaTrack,”

2002 Award of Excellence, Association of American Medical Colleges, Group on Institutional Advancement, Electronic Communications—Web Site, “dukemednews.org,”

09-1995 Albany Medical Center, Employee Recognition of the Month Award,

1988 Award of Distinction, Internal Publications, Group on Public Affairs, Association of American Medical Colleges, “Center News,”

1988 Award of Merit, International Association of Business Communicators (U.S. District 1), General Corporate Writing,

1987 Award of Merit, International Association of Business Communicators (U.S. District 1), Annual Reports,

1983 New York State Associated Press Commendation, “Granada Invasion,”

1983 New York State Associated Press Commendation, “Beirut Marine Bombing,”

1983 Gannett “Well Done” Commendation,

1982 New York State Associated Press Commendation, “Boonville Tornado,”

Association of American Medical Colleges, Group on Institutional Advancement (Public Affairs/Public Relations/Marketing Advisory Group ) Committee Member Type:Service to Professional Associations 2010

Association of American Medical Colleges (Group on Institutional Advancement Public Relations Chair ) Type:Service to Professional Associations 2008 -2009

Association of American Medical Colleges, Group on Institutional Advancement (Steering Committee ) Committee Member 2007 -2009

Medical Sciences Building
Phone: 513-558-0448
richard.puff@uc.edu