Raymond Simon Institute for Public Relations and Journalism to Recognize 2024 Outstanding Utica University Alumna

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Raymond Simon Institute for Public Relations and Journalism to Recognize 2024 Outstanding Utica University Alumna

Patricia “Patty” Montone Charvat 'in a pink shirt smiles at the camera.

Charvat shared her wealth of experience with Utica University students as an adjunct professor in public relations. She has participated in Utica University’s annual High School Communication Career Day as a keynote speaker and program presenter.

The Raymond Simon Institute will award Patricia “Patty” Montone Charvat the RSI Outstanding Alumna Award at its annual awards ceremony this Saturday, April 20, at Utica University.

Charvat is a 1983 graduate of the public relations and journalism program at Utica University. She currently is senior vice president for marketing and strategy for Mohawk Valley Health System in Utica, NY. In this role, she has supported the planning and development of the new 373-bed Wynn Hospital in downtown Utica. Her work has included a comprehensive community outreach program to engage the healthcare workforce, community organizations, and area leaders.

Charvat has extensive experience in healthcare communication and marketing. She began her career at the Healthcare Association of New York State, where she developed and implemented one of the country’s first highly successful grassroots advocacy programs for hospitals that engaged communities throughout the state. Following her tenure at the Association, she opened her own healthcare marketing and communications firm. As a consultant she worked for more than 50 hospitals/health systems, healthcare associations, state agencies, physician group practices, home care/hospice agencies, start-up technology companies and data analytics firms as well as patient safety organizations throughout the U.S. This included serving as an interim marketing executive at organizations such as Director of Public Affairs and Communications at Waterbury Hospital, Waterbury, CT.

“Patty Montone Charvat joins an exclusive group of exceptional professionals recognized for their contributions to the field of public relations and marketing,” said Patricia Swann, executive director of the RSI. “We are excited to recognize such a positive role model for future practitioners.”

On Saturday, the RSI awards ceremony will be held in the Donohue Concourse at Utica University beginning with a brunch at 9:00 a.m. The awards ceremony starts at 9:30 a.m. The final presentation of the ceremony is the Outstanding Alumna presentation.

The Raymond Simon Institute for Public Relations and Journalism was established in 1985 in honor of Professor Raymond Simon who taught at Utica University for 36 years and was a key contributor to establishing modern public relations educational practices. The RSI’s mission is to enhance and support the Public Relations & Journalism educational programs within the Communication & Media (CMM) and Public Relations and Marketing degree programs at Utica University.