Dorsena Koonce
Summary
Emmy-nominated communications professional with 10+ years of experience in media relations, strategic storytelling and community engagement. Adept at pitching stories that resonate, building trusted media relationships and elevating the public image of mission-driven organizations. Proven success in health care PR, lifestyle reporting and event promotion - with a deep passion for all things health and wellness related.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder and Certified Personal Trainer
DK Personal Training
05.2025 - Current
- - Provide 1-on-1 and small group strength training sessions with customized programs.
- - Manage client acquisition, scheduling, and payment processing (Square, CRM tools).
- - Build brand identity, lead content creation and oversee marketing on Instagram and TikTok.
- - Develop wellness partnerships and lead community fitness events.
External Communications Manager
The MetroHealth System
04.2020 - 07.2025
- - Led media outreach and storytelling initiatives that elevated the visibility of Northeast Ohio's public hospital system
- - Pitched and secured earned media coverage through strong relationships with local reporters, producers and editors
- - Developed compelling news releases, patient stories and health features for external media and internal channels
- - Produced and hosted MetroHealth's virtual health talk series, spotlighting specialists and timely health topics
- - Voiced on-hold messaging and maintained brand consistency across patient-facing communications
- - Collaborated cross-departmentally to align messaging with organizational goals during crisis response and community campaigns
Morning Anchor/Multimedia Journalist
WKYC
04.2017 - 04.2020
- - Anchored three-hour weekend morning newscast
- - Increased viewership by more than 100% during early shows
- - Shot and edited day-turn packages and voice-overs
- - Trusted to cover breaking and spot news in Northeast Ohio
- - Helped launch fitness and pet segments for the station’s lifestyle franchise
Crime & Courts Reporter/Fill-in Anchor
KGAN/KFXA
04.2015 - 04.2017
- - Built working relationships with law enforcement and city officials
- - Covered major court cases and crime stories
- - Actively searched for breaking stories and updates on trending crime stories
- - Pitched lead stories for the nightly newscasts
- - Executed interactive live shots and interviews to go along with featured stories
General Assignments Reporter
KTXS Television
10.2013 - 03.2015
- - Reported on a wide variety of topics including community events, human interest pieces and breaking news
- - Edited 1:30 packages to include natural sound, compelling interview soundbites
- Worked with photographer and assignment editor to collaborate ideas
Education
Masters - Public Health
Baldwin Wallace University
Berea, OH07-2023
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism
Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA07.2011
Skills
- Media Relations & Press Outreach
- Strategic Storytelling
- Health & Lifestyle Communications
- Community Engagement
- Crisis & Reputation Management
- Public Speaking & Hosting
Accomplishments
- Co-authored “Caregiver Perceptions of Environmental Facilitators and Barriers to Healthy Eating and Active Living during the Summer: Results from the Project SWEAT Sub-Study” PubMed, 2021
- Emmy-nominated in 2018 for WKYC’s Newscast Morning Market 1-20
Timeline
Founder and Certified Personal Trainer
DK Personal Training
05.2025 - Current
External Communications Manager
The MetroHealth System
04.2020 - 07.2025
Morning Anchor/Multimedia Journalist
WKYC
04.2017 - 04.2020
Crime & Courts Reporter/Fill-in Anchor
KGAN/KFXA
04.2015 - 04.2017
General Assignments Reporter
KTXS Television
10.2013 - 03.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism
Valdosta State University
Masters - Public Health
Baldwin Wallace University
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