As an organization looking to expand our communications both internally and externally, we were pleased to work with Steve and his team on the development and launching our first Podcast! We began our: journey with almost no idea where or how to begin the process.

Steve lead us through the process with his professionalism, knowledge, experience, and expertise in the area. Steve went above and beyond to walk our new speakers through the recording process, to troubleshoot issues as we attempted to learn the platform, and perhaps most impressively (and importantly to SlDP) was able to produce high quality podcasts for us on an extremely quick timeline. Steve was very receptive to our requests, expedited our turnaround, and also brought important suggestions that we would not have otherwise thought of to improve the pod cast, such as the recommended quality of microphones, platform suggestions, tips on naming the podcast, and addition of intro/outro music.

We are thankful for the help that Steve provided at a reasonable cost and would recommend him to other organizations in the medical field looking for professional services to launch a pod cast.

Thank you,

Kerry LaPlante
President
Society of Infectious Disease Pharmacists

Testimonials for Busalacchi Communications

“Without question, hands-down Steve is the first person I'd consider bringing into a public relations equation. As a learned expert in pr, a brilliant and engaging thought leader in communications, and someone who has acted as a conscience to administrators, C-level and VP-level, Steve has proven his leadership and comprehensive understanding of issues and how to get results. When presented with the opportunity to hire a communications professional, Steve is the only person on my list!"

Jim Sauter, NovaOne Networks

"Steve Busalacchi is extremely creative, helpful and pleasant to work with.  I plan on hiring him again in the future and recommend him highly."

“Steve has been instrumental in promoting my hospital to the community in a positive way to help make our business successful from the start. We have a constantly upgraded website, ever changing brochures and media support that helps us stand out to the public as the most professional and service-oriented hospital in the area. No one has time to promote your hospital to the public. Steve does that for us and is the reason we are so successful.”
--Marla Lichtenberger, DVM, DACVECC
Milwaukee Emergency Center for Animals 

“Steve Busalacchi Communications created a sensitive, powerful life history of my father. I have been struggling for just the perfect phrase to describe what the project means to our family. The best word to describe the project is "PRICELESS." Truly, words can not express the joy the DVD brought to my father as he shared it with so many of his friends.”

--Maria Selzer

"You are amazing!  First of all, how well you can speak an entirely different language and still make your point. And second of all, how cost-effective you can do this.  Sounds like something I might suggest for others (clients).  I can’t speak for the board (they’ll decide tomorrow) but this is a great deal."

 The board voted in favor!

Workshop testimonials:

From UW Medical Foundation physicians

“Thank you for the excellent seminar that you…put together. Clearly, in our series of leadership sessions, I found this particular session to be the most entertaining, most instructional and most informative to date (most likely to influence a change on how I react and view interactions between the medical profession and the Media). Both of you addressed my apprehensions about dealing with the media, how we can view the media as a friend, and recognize these challenges must be faced. I have gained a new sense of confidence and learned a lot about my self (strengths and fears).”

• “It was a pleasure to attend your highly informative session; one of the best seminars we’ve had.”

• “The session was a standout, even amongst our fantastic PLDP course offerings. You gave some great tips, the anecdotes were really good, and the practice sessions were very helpful.  As I was listening to the course, I was thinking that every physician could benefit from what you have to say. I learned many valuable lessons that I will be applying in my everyday life.”

• “What I liked best was the expertise of the speakers and the media examples. It was fun and interactive.”

• “I really enjoyed the day and thought the discussion was very interesting and insightful. The role playing and feedback was fun and confidence-building.”

Comments following presentation regarding White Coat Wisdom to California Medical Association physicians:

"Fantastic"

"Excellent"

"Excellent presentation"

"Great presentation--good variety of physicians. Inspiring."

"Great presentation. Loved the podcasts in the presentation."

"Excellent talk."

"Excellent-we don't spend enough time to celebrate the joys of medicine."

"I appreciate your warm stories."

"Wonderful, refreshing presentation. Helped me remember what I love about medicine."

"A great presentation. Physicians need to be reminded about why they became physicians."

"Excellent. Thanks!"

More Comments on Steve's Presentations

“We were truly excited to have Steve Busalacchi speak to our communications group. His presentation to our group of professional communicators was well received, a testament to his skill as a public speaker. Steve is a vibrant communicator who has a wonderful presence before an audience. His background as former news reporter serves him well in his current work as a media relations expert, writer and public speaker. He’s comfortable before an audience and brings a great energy to his presentations. Steve also has a lot of great stories that help spice it up and keep people interested.”

Andrea Novotny
President of Wisconsin Communicators Council Inc.

"Thank you for your outstanding oral journey into the personal lives of the individual physicians featured in your book, White Coat Wisdom, yesterday at our women's health forum. And, thank you for wrting this insightful book, as it certainly will benefit those who read it."

Gloria E. Sarto, MD, PhD
Co-Director, Center for Women's Health Research
University of Wisconsin-Madison

MEDIA TRAINING TESTIMONIALS

Participants
Media training session sponsored by University of Wisconsin, Plover, 9/11/08

"I loved your honest and frank discussions."

"I would suggest this training be offered regionally."

Overall evaluation (11 responses)
Score: Average of 19.8 out of a possible 21

When asked whether they'd recommend colleagues attend a similar session, the average score was 2.8 out of a possible 3.

"Steve Busalacchi brings together experience, passion for his work, and superb skills in communications.  He's lived it and he can teach it. Steve's trainings are peppered with real-life examples and stories that keep participants involved and interested.  His practical and approachable style helps trainees get comfortable so that they can get down to the business of being better communicators."

Mary Hilliker, Senior Outreach Specialist
Northern Region, UW-Paul P Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center

Healthy Wisconsin Leadership Institute

I. Reaction (attendance and satisfaction): Sessions were ranked individually, using a scale of 1-5 with 1 being Poor and 5 being Excellent, the following are average scores:

Media Advocacy: Media and Motivation – Steve Busalacchi
4.7     Learning new things
4.9     Overall content
4.9      Presenter

Comments:
• I really enjoyed Steve’s session and the opportunity to hear people do interviews
• Well done and great examples
• Very helpful information
• Love the visual/audio clips
• Great to see and learn from the WI voice I listened to for years on NPR. Media Savvy – good cookbook guide – thank you!

"The session was very professional, yet there was a relaxed, informal atmosphere that made it easy to participate. I thought it was great!"

Participant, Media Training Seminar

A relaxed discussion. Speaker very informative.

Participant, Media Training Seminar

"It is an excellent service. I am impressed by the professionalism and expertise of the entire team. Production of my podcast has been flawless from the very beginning. I wish you success and hope many more physicians use this service to be more effective in their practices and patient education."

Ayaz Samadani, MD, regarding services podcasting

"Although never heard on the video, your easy, friendly interview manner made the subject (me) very relaxed and comfortable throughout."

"Told it like it is--very informative."

Wisconsin State Prevention Conference

"This was an excellent presentation."

Wisconsin State Prevention Conference

"Helpful advice, practical advice."

Wisconsin State Prevention Conference

"I'm generally pretty shy in interviewing, but the session helped me by watching others in action."

Wisconsin State Prevention Conference

"Interesting and animated presentation--very knowledgeable with good practical tips."

Healthy Wisconsin Leadership Institute conference

"Great presentation. Succinct conveyance of useful, relevant information."

Healthy Wisconsin Leadership Institute conference

"Steve played a critical role in the media campaign for the Wisconsin Antibiotic Resistance Network (WARN). He is well-connected in the media world, and his knowledge of media strategies is unsurpassed. Steve helped us refine campaign messages, organize the kickoff press conference, develop radio and TV ads, and maximize coverage in the news media. He is a seasoned professional, and I highly recommend him to anyone who needs help with media or communications issues."

Edward Belongia, MD
Principal Investigator, WARN Project

“Your sincerity, your passion, you complete honesty and enjoyment in your work was just a tremendous stimulus to us all, especially to myself.”

General Surgeon, Menomonee Falls

“Excellent, from beginning to end.”

Family physician

“Practical advice—down to Earth. Also the practice session eased the fear of doing it.”

Family physician

"Steve blends a passion for training with a unique blend of experiences, both as a reporter and advocate for critical health issues.  He could not only assess my strengths and target my weaknesses, but he did so with an innate understanding of my issue and the public environment around it--there is no way to put a value on the unique advantage that gives to Steve's approach.”

Campaign for Tobacco free Kids

“You provided our members with media training at our Leadership Development Conference. Our docs are still talking about the great experience you provided them.”

Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians

"Meeting you was actually very significant for me, as I would otherwise never have had the opportunity to have articles published in the Journal-Sentinel online. Please know that I truly appreciate your help, and for making it possible."

Medical Director, Milwaukee

"I attribute a piece of my success in my membership position to you for taking my letters and e-mails and turning them into effective communications pieces.  Thank you!"

Sales professional, Madison

"It would be difficult for me to state how much your friendship and assistance have meant to me.  I have every confidence you have the intelligence, knowledge, skill, personality and judgment to succeed in your own business. I am proud to have been associated with you, and will always consider you a valued friend."

Robert Jaeger, MD (Past President, Wisconsin Medical Society)

"You were always the best to work with. Really. I cannot tell you how many times you came through for the Journal Sentinel and made me look like a genius. I'll bet if I called you right now, you could drop some dynamite story on me or put me in touch with the appropriate expert on whatever topic. How can I thank you?"

 Reporter, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel