National corporate reputation, public affairs, and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) consulting firm Summit Strategy Group, LLC recently announced the launch of its Healthcare Practice. The new practice will be headquartered in Dallas, Texas and will serve hospital and health system leaders challenged by unprecedented scrutiny and transparency demands, helping them better engage with stakeholders and the public.
The practice will focus on services including strategic narrative development, stakeholder research, issue advocacy, and risk management/rapid response to emergent issues. The practice will also advise healthcare organizations on risks and opportunities tied to ESG performance requirements.
The new healthcare practice will be led by experienced public affairs and healthcare specialist Mark Riordan, who joined Summit after spending nearly a decade serving Texas Health Resources, one of the largest health systems in Texas. Riordan will supplement Summit’s existing healthcare experience and expertise in payor-provider relations, crisis management, and the Affordable Care Act.
“Hospital systems are under constant pressure from government entities, changing consumer demands, and a dynamic competitive landscape,” said Summit founder and Chief Executive Officer Michael Law, who previously worked with Riordan at Burson-Marsteller. “I am thrilled that Mark is taking the helm of this new practice.”
The practice’s new leader brings more than three decades of professional experience operating at the intersection of media, healthcare, government, and advocacy. Riordan began his professional career working with Florida Senator Bob Graham, later serving state and federal government health agencies, including the Florida Department of Children & Families and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Earlier in his career, Riordan held media relations leadership roles at Florida State University and Florida International University, bringing deep large-scale organizational experience to the new practice.
“Healthcare industry leaders are looking for partners to help them navigate the uncertainty and risk inherent in today’s business landscape,” said Riordan in a press release. “Negotiations with payers and providers, addressing calls for greater pricing transparency, and the emergence of ESG in the health sector are among many of the issues to be addressed. Michael has built this team for this purpose, and I am thrilled to join Summit and work with him again.”
