Public Affairs Office and Media
Media Kit, Contacts, Guidelines, and Approval
The Martinsburg VA Medical Center (MVAMC) Public Affairs Office serves as the contact for reporters, producers, and other media representatives seeking information about the medical center or wishing to interview any medical center staff or resident patients. This office functions as the medical center's news bureau, serving as the primary source of information about the institution, patient care, staff and staff collaboration, awards, reviews, accreditations, medical and research advances, environmental safety, and technological advances. As this is a Federal facility, all media access, media interviews, media photos or video must be coordinated and approved in advance. All media will be escorted by Public Affairs during any visit on campus.
Media Kit
PAO Office:
Martinsburg VA Medical Center, Public Affairs Office, Building 415-A2, 510 Butler Avenue, Martinsburg, WV 25405
Tel: 304-263-0811, ext. 4013
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday thru Friday
PAO Staff
Mike McAleer, Public Affairs Officer
Tel. 304-264-4482
Cali Coulthard, Deputy Public Affairs Officer
(Mondays, Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Tel. 304-263-0811, ext. 4013, 2068
Richard Nappi, Public Affairs Specialist / Marketing and Outreach
Tel. 304-263-0811, ext. 4013, 2122
Jason Dominguez, Public Affairs Specialist
Tel. 304-263-0811, ext. 4013, 2038
Sarah M. Tolstyka, Public Affairs Specialist
Tel. 304-263-0811, ext. 4013, 3812
Rod Bearman, Health Communications Specialist / My HealtheVet / Secure Messaging
Tel. 304-263-0811, ext. 2036
Media Guidelines
The following guidelines can assist you in arranging interviews, video sessions, or photo opportunities with MEDVAMC newsmakers:
Call the Public Affairs Office to arrange all interviews with any staff member. Use any of the above contact information. We will respond as quickly as we can. Patients seeking medical advice should contact their health care provider or dial 911 for medical emergencies.
Advance notice of on-site interviews is necessary so staff can arrange locations for media interviews or photo shoots and line up appropriate sources for your story.
A PA staff member must accompany all film crews and photographers while on campus. Our main priority is patient privacy and adherence to HIPAA regulations. We also want to make sure you get the information you are looking for and to coordinate shoot locations and ensure interviews go smoothly.
If you are a student working on a research paper and looking to interview a veteran about his military experience, we encourage you to contact a Veterans Service Organization for assistance. You can find a comprehensive list at http://www1.va.gov/VSO/.
