In Episode 34 of the Brand Slam podcast, co-hosts Joe Kayata and (add)ventures President Mary Sadlier sit down with Mark Bohen, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Mass General Brigham, to discuss the strategy behind one of the most significant healthcare rebrands in recent years. This effort went beyond introducing a new logo or brand identity—it was a strategic and high-stakes initiative to unify two world-renowned hospitals, Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, under a collaborative identity. Along with esteemed institutions like Spaulding Rehabilitation, McLean Hospital, and Mass Eye and Ear, the goal was to preserve their outstanding reputations while reinforcing a shared commitment to providing world-class patient care.
Mark shares what it takes to transition from a network of independent hospitals to an integrated health system, highlighting the challenges of balancing brand identity, patient experience and internal collaboration. The conversation dives into how healthcare branding extends beyond names and logos—it requires buy-in from constituencies inside and outside the organization, as well as clear communication and sensitivity. As Mark explains, the objective was not only to unite the organization but also to reinforce the quality of care and expertise that patients associate with the brand. And with an established international presence and a reputation for world-class care, its branding had far-reaching implications. By investing in strategic communication and marketing, Mass General Brigham continues to strengthen its position as a global leader in healthcare.
This episode offers an inside look at what it takes to bring a major healthcare brand into the future while staying true to its legacy.
Interested in a particular topic or want to be a guest? Contact us at brandslam@addventures.com.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Cardiac Cowboys
The heart was always off-limits to surgeons. Cutting into it spelled instant death for the patient. That is, until a ragtag group of doctors scattered across the Midwest and Texas decided to throw out the rule book. Working in makeshift laboratories and home garages, using medical devices made from scavenged machine parts and beer tubes, these men and women invented the field of open heart surgery. Odds are, someone you know is alive because of them. So why has history left them behind? Presented by Chris Pine, CARDIAC COWBOYS tells the gripping true story behind the birth of heart surgery, and the young, Greatest Generation doctors who made it happen. For years, they competed and feuded, racing to be the first, the best, and the most prolific. Some appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, operated on kings and advised presidents. Others ended up disgraced, penniless, and convicted of felonies. Together, they ignited a revolution in medicine, and changed the world.