We've paused consideration of requests for new VUMC social media accounts pending an audit and review of the social media policy for security and data privacy reasons.
If you have any questions for VUMC's social media team, please email socialmedia@vumc.org with the nature of your inquiry in the subject line. We'll be back in touch within two weeks. If your matter is more time-sensitive, please indicate that in your message.
About Social Media at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the Vanderbilt Health System
Vanderbilt Health's social media policy guides use of social media by its workforce in all areas: hospitals, clinics, administrative and support functions, research and education/training. If you use social media or post comments or reviews online, read the policy to understand how it applies to your activity.
Our goal is to help you use social media effectively, avoid wasted effort and reduce legal, security, safety and reputation risk to you, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the Vanderbilt Health system.
What this means for your personal social media activity
If you identify yourself online as an employee, make it clear you don't speak for the health system or medical center. This can be as simple as adding "views my own" or a similar disclaimer in your account bio.
Social media users can see that you're a member of our workforce from bio details, photos that include identifiable landmarks or your employee ID badge, and disclosure that you work for Vanderbilt in your post history.
All other policies apply to social media, including policies around privacy, confidentiality and CREDO behavior.
Reasons to be cautious include:
- Online posts leave your control forever. They can be saved, shared and altered without your permission or knowledge.
- Online posts exist forever. Even those that "disappear" can be screenshot or retrieved from online archive tools.
- Online posts are discoverable in legal proceedings.
- Your social media posts may reflect on our organization, your colleagues and your profession. It's not unusual for users to report concerns about social media activity by our employees. We report and follow up on those complaints according to our policies.
Brand social media
The Office of Marketing and Engagement is charged with guiding social media strategy for the health system and academic medical center and to directly manage and oversee accounts on behalf of the Vanderbilt Health system brands.
Please follow our accounts, engage in conversations and share content with your family and friends. As members or our workforce, you are important "brand ambassadors" to help:
- Attract new employees and trainees
- Engage the public around our services
- Support fund-raising
- Share exciting health care advances and credible health information
See a list of our accounts here.
You may also submit news, announcements and photos of staff to be considered for sharing from our brand channels. Email: socialmedia@vumc.org. Some do's and don't's:
- Do include a contact name, email and phone number in case we have questions.
- Do include a description of the people and what's going on in any photos.
- Do make sure you have permission from any workers in the photos.
- Don't include any photos or information about patients.
- Don't include anything in the photo that contains personal health information (PHI).
No social media accounts representing VUMC departments, business units and other entities may be created without approval by the Office of Marketing and Engagement. Unapproved accounts or accounts that do not meet minimum publishing and monitoring requirements are subject to removal.
If you'd like someone from the social media team to speak to your team or department about the social media policy, social media best practices or Vanderbilt Health's social media program, submit that request via socialmedia@vumc.org.