In today's post, we hear from Jaime Venditti about her experience at eAdvocacy 2011--and learn why she's excited to return this year. Jaime is the Campaign Coordinator for New York Health Works, a coalition of patient advocacy organizations, health care providers, and the nation's leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms to provide the latest news and information affecting the state of health care. New York Health Works' mission is to inform New Yorkers on issues impacting their health care by encouraging active involvement in public policy that promotes access to quality health care.

At this time last year I was just testing the waters of the social media world through my role as State Coordinator for a New York health advocacy network, called New York Health Works. The New York Health Works mission is to inform New Yorkers on issues impacting their health care by encouraging active involvement in public policy that promotes access to quality health care. We believe now more than ever that every New Yorker must be an active citizen in determining the direction of THEIR health care. What better way to encourage this than delivering our message through social media?

It was without a doubt one of the most informative and creative advocacy events I have attended. The e-Advocacy Summit provides advocacy organizations with the information and tools they need to educate stakeholders about important health care related issues. Not only did the objective of the event fall in line with my needs, it was hands on and it was fun. Where else could I talk directly to an executive from Facebook or discuss with the Online and Social Media Specialist for the NAACP how he successfully took an established organization into the 21st century world of social media?

Through my work with patient advocacy organizations, health care providers, and pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms, I have become passionate about shaping health care policy in New York State and more importantly enjoy helping others in finding their voice to do so, as well. Since last year's advocacy summit New York Health Works has added a blog, and have increased our Facebook followers by over 3,000 people. We aren't just sharing information, we're engaging. Social media is an important component to all of New York Health Works' advocacy efforts, and has become a useful tool when trying to raise awareness, build support, and increase participation on public policy issues.

Last year's e-Advocacy Summit was interactive and illustrated real examples of how others have used social media to successfully accomplish their goals. In addition, it really gave in depth explanation into the mechanics of social media, how it works, and more importantly how I can make it work for New York Health Works.

Social media is the present and future of communications. So whether you're a seasoned veteran or just starting out when it comes to social media, you should join me in attending the e-Advocacy Summit on October 19th. Trust me; it will be a worthwhile experience that will leave you wanting to learn more about the power of social media. I look forward to meeting you there.

Thanks for sharing, Jamie! We're looking forward to connecting with New York Health Works and the over 100 other organizations who are attending this year's eAdvocacy Summit. If you can't make it, join us on Twitter and use the hashtag #eAdv.