Why write a bio?

·  Attendees and media might not know the event speakers – a bio gives important background about panelists and why they are lending their voice to the program

·  Bios also give credibility to the speakers and panel event

·  Should there be media interest, reporters/producers (for TV or radio) will often ask for background information on the event speakers before conducting an interview, or oftentimes reporters will pull information directly from the bio for their piece

What should be included?

For healthcare professionals / For patients/advocates
·  Name and credentials
·  Current position and place of work
·  Focus of one’s work
·  Previous positions held
·  Notable achievements, publications (if applicable)
·  Education
·  Headshot / ·  Name
·  Connection to the topic of vaccination (e.g., personal experience with illness, loss of family members/friends, work/engagement conducted in the teen vaccination space)
·  Job/affiliations, if applicable
·  Headshot

Dos and don’ts:

·  DO write in the third person

·  DO keep it concise

·  DO use simple language, short sentences and paragraphs

·  DON’T simply list accomplishments

See examples of each bio below:

Healthcare professional bio:

John Smith, MD

Smith Family Physicians

Adjunct Professor, Yale School of Medicine

New Haven, Connecticut

John Smith is a family physician who opened his own practice 10 years ago. He is also an Adjunct Professor at Yale School of Medicine.

Dr. Smith is a co-author of several papers in the fields of infectious disease and family medicine that were published in major medical journals, such as the Annals of Family Medicine and the Journal of Infectious Diseases. His research includes studies on vaccine effectiveness and safety in children and adolescents.

Dr. Smith received his Bachelors in History of Science, Medicine and Public Health from Yale University and his MD from Yale School of Medicine.

Patient/advocate bio:

Jane Smith

Meningitis survivor

New Haven, Connecticut

When she was just 19, Jane Smith almost lost her life to a vaccine-preventable illness. She contracted meningococcal meningitis during her sophomore year of college.

Doctors had to amputate one of her legs below her knee. Following months of surgery and rehabilitation, Jane returned to school.

To help prevent others from experiencing this rare but potentially devastating disease, Jane now speaks to local healthcare providers and to teens at local high schools and colleges about the importance of vaccination.