LeRoy William Tillman Jr.

1220 Blair Mill Road #209

Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
301 220-2250
tillmanlw@comcast.net

What I offer as an employee

• More than two decades of hands-on experience in print and broadcast journalism
• Nine years of public affairs experience at the largest hospital in the District of Columbia.
• Extensive writing, editing, research and communications skills.
• Experience writing and editing media releases, news and feature stories.
• Media placement experience with local. national and international print, broadcast and new media
outlets
• Experience coordinating breaking news coverage.
• Experience planning and coordinating events designed to attract media coverage.
• Experience as a spokesperson for the largest hospital in the District of Columbia.
• Experience with project development and management and working on tight deadlines.
• Good working relationships with local, regional and federal public safety agencies and medical
facilities.

Employment history

2003 to JULY 2007

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, MEDIA RELATIONS Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC

• Conceived and pitched medical- and research-related stories to local, national and international
media outlets featuring medical and clinical experts affiliated with Washington Hospital Center and
MedStar Research Institute.
• Collaborated with officials of the MedStar Research Institute in publicizing two major programs – the
Women’s Health Initiative and the founding and grand opening of the Capital Breast Care Center
providing health care and educational information for under-insured District of Columbia women
• Wrote and edited releases and advisories on various medical and research topics for media outlets,
the Hospital Center web site and the public.
• Coordinated media requests for interviews with media and research experts.
• Monitored local and national media outlets regarding urgent or topical information for dissemination
to appropriate Hospital Center and MedStar Health officials.
• Maintained and continuously updated archival files about hospital-related issues in the District of
Columbia, suburban Maryland and northern Virginia.
• Coordinated media coverage involving survivors of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the
Pentagon who were treated at Washington Hospital Center’s adult burn unit. Including a visit to the
patients by then-Pres. George W. Bush and First lady Laura Bush.
• Handled several hundred requests from local, national and international media outlets for condition
information of the Pentagon survivors including requests from The Washington Post, USA Today,
The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News and World Report, ABC News Nightline,
CNN, The Associated Press, Fox News Channel, NBC News, CBS News, BBC, and Voice of
America.
• Served as departmental liaison with the District of Columbia Hospital Association and local, regional
and federal public safety emergency first-responder and anti-terrorism agencies
1998 to 2003
SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC

• Developed media archiving system and coordinated and published monthly Hospital Center internal
media advisory listing of print, broadcast and new media placements with administrators, clinicians
and researchers.
• Assisted and developing and executing Hospital Center strategy for the handling of the nurses’ strike
against the Hospital Center. Also served as media spokesperson and liaison with management’s
negotiating team.
• Wrote and edited releases on various medical and scientific subjects for media and public
dissemination.

1985 to 1998
REPORTER, EDITOR AND WRITER Washington, DC bureau, The Associated Press

• Covered the District of Columbia government beat during the administration of Mayor Sharon Pratt
including the mayor’s office, the city council and various city government agencies.
• Covered District of Columbia-related events on Capitol Hill, including the annual congressional
review of the city’s fiscal year budget.
• Covered the federally appointed control board that oversaw the District of Columbia’s finances
during the city’s financial crisis.
• Served as general assignment reporter covering local agencies including the Washington
Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, the
District of Columbia Public Service Commission and various public safety agencies.
• Served as local bureau writer and editor gathering news from print and broadcast sources for
dissemination to Associated Press print and broadcast wire subscribers.

Education

• Attended The American University and the University of the District of Columbia, Washington, DC

Professional Experience and skills

1974 to 1982
SPIRITS KNOWN AND UNKNOWN URBAN COMMUNICATIONS WORKSHOP WAMU-FM The
American University, Washington, DC

• Taught broadcast writing for broadcast and radio production skills as part of weekly radio magazine
program “Spirits Known and Unknown” that aired Saturdays on WAMU-FM, the National Public
Radio outlet based at The American University in Washington, DC. After two-hour instructional
session, volunteers also helped produce news, information, sports and entertainment segments for
live broadcast. Afterwards, the quality of those segments would be reviewed and instruction would
be given to as to how to improve the efforts.
• Proficient in use of Microsoft Word and Microsoft Word Perfect.
JUNE 1973 TO SEPTEMBER 1973
INTERNSHIP – NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION Silver Spring,
MD

• Worked as a rainfall plotter and general office assistant.

Professional Awards and Honors

• Co-winner of 2002 Silver Anvil Award from the Public Relations Society of America Crisis
Communication Award in the Associations, Non-Profit Organization category for Communications
Strategy category for Washington Hospital Center’s handling of the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001
terrorist attack on the Pentagon.

• Co-winner of the 2004 Communicators Award for “MedSTAR Transport 20th Anniversary,” Media
Special Event category.

• Co-winner of the 2004 Communicators Award for “MedSTAR Transport 20th Anniversary,”
Writing/Media Kit category.

• Co-winner 2004 MarCom Creative Award for “MedSTAR Transport 20th Anniversary,” Writing/Media
Kit category.

• Co-winner 2004 APEX Communications Concept Award for “Washington Hospital Center MedSTAR
Transport 20th Anniversary,” Publications Excellence, Media Kit and News Release category.

• Co-winner 2006 MarCom Creative Platinum Award for “Washington Hospital Center MedSTAR
Transport Mayday,” Media Relations category.

• Co-winner NonProfitPRAwards 2006 Honorable Mention in the Crisis Management category for
“Washington Hospital Center MedSTAR Transport Mayday.”

Professional and personal references are available upon request.