Elizabeth Troutman Adams
Research Triangle Park,USA
Summary
Communication scientist and strategist with expertise in enhancing public understanding of science and medicine. Proven track record of leading and consulting on federal contracts and studies for major health organizations, including the CDC and NIH. Former public relations officer specializing in patient storytelling and media translation of clinical science.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Communication Research Analyst
RTI International
Research Triangle Park, NC
01.2020 - Current
- Served as leading expert on dissemination and translation of scientific evidence for five research networks funded through the National Institutes of Health.
- Directed Food and Drug Administration study exploring how health-related social media influencers shape medical providers' thinking around and preferences for certain pharmaceutical drugs.
- Led a pilot study for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, testing a new risk communication framework for public health communicators, and developed content for a digital engagement tool to support communications professionals in applying evidence to inform messaging.
- Facilitated a Communications Work Group, and served as Facilitator and Dissemination Core Lead for the National Institutes of Health HEALing Communities Study.
- Out of the HCS, we created, tested, and evaluated the Overdose Crisis Community Decision Tool, an interactive online decision tool that guides community stakeholders to evidence-based overdose reduction strategies based on community priorities and capacity for change.
- Conducted foundational research with communities that are underrepresented in biomedical research to inform the development of digital engagements and promotional assets to increase participation in the All of Us Research Program.
- Led the Dissemination and Data Coordination Core for the HEAL Prevention Cooperative, a network of projects exploring prevention strategies for youth populations; developed a webinar series, podcast, branded elements, an annual communications plan, quarterly newsletters, investigator profiles, and peer-reviewed journal articles.vestigator profiles, and peer-reviewed journal articles.
Roy H. Park Fellow/Graduate Instructor
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Hussman School of Media and Journalism
Chapel Hill, NC
01.2017 - 01.2020
- Research assistant on tobacco communication projects, and undergraduate instructor in courses including social marketing, public relations, advertising research, and public relations writing.
- Conducted the first nationally representative survey on opioid stigma.
- Developed and tested a mobile health app that helped assess behavioral risk factors for cancer.
- Tested the effects of different narrative formats in influencing middle school students' perceptions about the risks and consequences of opioid misuse, and emotional reactions to public service messaging; delivered opioid prevention programming to rural North Carolina middle schoolers.
Senior Medical Public Relations Specialist
University of Kentucky HealthCare
Lexington, KY
01.2014 - 01.2017
- Executed media outreach and engagement strategies for academic medical center.
- Coordinated press events to enhance media visibility and stakeholder interaction.
- Wrote press releases and media briefs.
- Developed multimedia patient storytelling content to improve patient engagement.
- Crafted and edited medical writing for clarity and accuracy.
- Produced and edited digital photographs for use in promotional materials.
- Formulated content strategy for university-owned digital and social media platforms.
- Completed master's degree in health communication, focusing thesis on prescription opioids communication challenges.
- Implemented innovative content development approaches to strengthen online presence.
North American Public Relations Coordinator
Alltech, Inc.
Nicholasville, KY
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Supported U.S. marketing and media relations for equestrian sponsorships and events for global human and animal nutrition company.
- Coordinated press coverage for national and international equestrian events, including the 2013 and 2013 Alltech National Horse Show and the Alltech FEI 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy France.
- Wrote press releases and coordinated social media content for multiple platforms and brand-specific handles.
- Coordinated media coverage of beverage products developed through Alltech Brewing and Distilling Co.
Communications Coordinator
American Association of Equine Practitioners
Lexington, KY
01.2008 - 01.2013
- Developed and managed external marketing communications for association for equine veterinarians.
- Developed print and digital promotional materials for continuing education events for equine veterinarians and horse owners.
Education
Ph.D. - Media And Communications
University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC08-2020
Master of Arts - Journalism And Mass Communication
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY05-2017
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism And Mass Communication
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY05-2007
Skills
- Communications strategy
- Scientific dissemination
- Medical writing
- Audience insights
- Message testing
- Qualitative and quantitative analysis
- Research design
- Public health campaign design
- Digital marketing strategies
- Content development
- Media relations
- Risk communication training
- Youth intervention strategies
- Social media management
- Survey design and coordination
- Project management skills
- Public speaking and presentations
- Stakeholder engagement
- Patient-centered care approach
- Healthcare delivery systems
- Scientific manuscript preparation
- Community-based research methodologies
- Journalistic principles application
- UX design principles
- Website development
- Digital storytelling techniques
- Podcast production skills
- Email marketing and content management
Accomplishments
- RTI International Highly Published Author Award, 2024
- RTI International Early Career Author Award, 2019
- National Institutes of Health HEAL Investigators Trailblazer Award, Helping End Addiction Long-Term Annual Meeting, 2023
- RTI International President's Award for Helping to End Addiction Long-term HEAL Prevention Cooperative Dissemination, 2022
- Selected as the Richard Bland Fellow for Industry PhDs, 2018
- Top Patient-Provider Communication Paper, International Communication Association, 2018
Select Peer-Reviewed Publications
- Adams, E.T., Williams, J., Palen, L.-A., Wondimagegnehu, F., Elek, E., & Cance, J. (2025, in press). Parental Opioid Misuse and Adolescent-Reported Functional Parenting Behaviors: An Analysis of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Journal of Adolescent Health.
- Adams, E.T., Nyblade, L., Madson, G., Wallhagen, M. I., Smith, S. L., Stelmach, R. D., & Francis, H. W. (2024). Development and preliminary validation of scales to measure enacted, perceived, and experienced hearing loss stigma in health care settings. Ear & Hearing, 45(Supplement 1): p42S-52S, September/October 2024. DOI: 10.1097/AUD.0000000000001541
- Adams, E.T., & Buchbinder, M. (2022). Narratives of prevention and redemption in opioid overdose obituaries. Medical Humanities, 48(2), e5. doi:10.1136/medhum-2021-012143
- Adams, E.T., Nabi, R., Noar, S. M., Widman, L., & Evans, R. (2021). How emotional shifts effect youth perceptions of opioid risk and efficacy: Testing a Know the Truth campaign narrative. Health Communication, 37(14):1820-1831. doi:10.1080/10410236.2021.1921349
- Adams, E.T., Darnell, W., Cohen, E., Bernard, A., & Oyler, D. (2020). Can opioid vigilance and patient-centered care coexist? A qualitative study of communicative tensions encountered by surgical trainees. Journal of Opioid Management, 16(2), 91–101. doi:10.5055/jom.2020.0555
- Adams, E.T., Cohen, E., Bernard, A., Darnell, W., & Helme, D. (2018). Trauma trainees’ multiple competing goals in opioid prescription communication. Qualitative Health Research, 28(13), 1986–1993. doi:10.1177/1049732318784896
Timeline
Communication Research Analyst
RTI International
01.2020 - Current
Roy H. Park Fellow/Graduate Instructor
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Hussman School of Media and Journalism
01.2017 - 01.2020
Senior Medical Public Relations Specialist
University of Kentucky HealthCare
01.2014 - 01.2017
North American Public Relations Coordinator
Alltech, Inc.
01.2013 - 01.2014
Communications Coordinator
American Association of Equine Practitioners
01.2008 - 01.2013
Ph.D. - Media And Communications
University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Master of Arts - Journalism And Mass Communication
University of Kentucky
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism And Mass Communication
University of Kentucky
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