Eric Nickens, Jr.
Communications and Media Relations Director / GA DPH District 3-5 Public Information Officer at DeKalb County Board Of Health- Claim this Profile
Click to upgrade to our gold package
for the full feature experience.
Topline Score
Bio
Tamara Gibbs-Franklin
As a broadcast journalist, I sought Eric's help with several stories. He is the consummate professional who understands the immediate needs of a reporter. I recall requesting a last-minute interview about the county's response to heroin addictions. Eric worked diligently to find and interview and video opportunity in time for my deadline. As a Public Information Officer with Durham County, I work closely with Eric on some several committees and agency communication efforts. His work ethic and creativity are impressive. As we planned a joint news release to promote a prescription drug drive, Eric took the lead on coordinating the event, arranging live interviews, and promoting our event. The result was a great community engagement campaign between two agencies.
Julie Henry
Eric is an enthusiastic and innovative advocate for public heallth! He also has a good "nose for news" and has cultivated invaluable relationships with media because of his responsiveness and credibility. Eric has been a leader among public information officers in local health across North Carolina and is well respected among his peers. It is always a pleasure to work with Eric because of his positive attitude and his dedication to high quality work. He is a real asset to any organization!
Tamara Gibbs-Franklin
As a broadcast journalist, I sought Eric's help with several stories. He is the consummate professional who understands the immediate needs of a reporter. I recall requesting a last-minute interview about the county's response to heroin addictions. Eric worked diligently to find and interview and video opportunity in time for my deadline. As a Public Information Officer with Durham County, I work closely with Eric on some several committees and agency communication efforts. His work ethic and creativity are impressive. As we planned a joint news release to promote a prescription drug drive, Eric took the lead on coordinating the event, arranging live interviews, and promoting our event. The result was a great community engagement campaign between two agencies.
Julie Henry
Eric is an enthusiastic and innovative advocate for public heallth! He also has a good "nose for news" and has cultivated invaluable relationships with media because of his responsiveness and credibility. Eric has been a leader among public information officers in local health across North Carolina and is well respected among his peers. It is always a pleasure to work with Eric because of his positive attitude and his dedication to high quality work. He is a real asset to any organization!
Tamara Gibbs-Franklin
As a broadcast journalist, I sought Eric's help with several stories. He is the consummate professional who understands the immediate needs of a reporter. I recall requesting a last-minute interview about the county's response to heroin addictions. Eric worked diligently to find and interview and video opportunity in time for my deadline. As a Public Information Officer with Durham County, I work closely with Eric on some several committees and agency communication efforts. His work ethic and creativity are impressive. As we planned a joint news release to promote a prescription drug drive, Eric took the lead on coordinating the event, arranging live interviews, and promoting our event. The result was a great community engagement campaign between two agencies.
Julie Henry
Eric is an enthusiastic and innovative advocate for public heallth! He also has a good "nose for news" and has cultivated invaluable relationships with media because of his responsiveness and credibility. Eric has been a leader among public information officers in local health across North Carolina and is well respected among his peers. It is always a pleasure to work with Eric because of his positive attitude and his dedication to high quality work. He is a real asset to any organization!
Tamara Gibbs-Franklin
As a broadcast journalist, I sought Eric's help with several stories. He is the consummate professional who understands the immediate needs of a reporter. I recall requesting a last-minute interview about the county's response to heroin addictions. Eric worked diligently to find and interview and video opportunity in time for my deadline. As a Public Information Officer with Durham County, I work closely with Eric on some several committees and agency communication efforts. His work ethic and creativity are impressive. As we planned a joint news release to promote a prescription drug drive, Eric took the lead on coordinating the event, arranging live interviews, and promoting our event. The result was a great community engagement campaign between two agencies.
Julie Henry
Eric is an enthusiastic and innovative advocate for public heallth! He also has a good "nose for news" and has cultivated invaluable relationships with media because of his responsiveness and credibility. Eric has been a leader among public information officers in local health across North Carolina and is well respected among his peers. It is always a pleasure to work with Eric because of his positive attitude and his dedication to high quality work. He is a real asset to any organization!
Credentials
-
CDP - Advanced Public Information Officer: Health and Hospital Emergencies
FEMAFeb, 2013- Oct, 2024 -
Basic Public Information Officer (NC OEM - G290)
North Carolina Department of Public SafetyAug, 2009- Oct, 2024 -
Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS)
American Heart Association
Experience
-
DeKalb County Board Of Health
-
United States
-
Hospitals and Health Care
-
1 - 100 Employee
-
Communications and Media Relations Director / GA DPH District 3-5 Public Information Officer
-
Jan 2017 - Present
In this executive leadership role, I lead a team of 12 and guide the strategy, development, implementation and evaluation of health communications for the Board of Health's programs and services in Georgia's fourth most populous county; this includes part of the City of Atlanta, reaching approximately 760,000 residents and over 4.6 million residents in metro Atlanta's 11 core counties, through broadcast and print media. This role also includes serving as the Board of Health's Public Information Officer, one of eighteen for each health district within the Georgia Department of Public Health, and the Board of Health’s call center.
-
-
-
Gwinnett, Newton, and Rockdale County Health Departments
-
Government Administration
-
1 - 100 Employee
-
Communications and Marketing Manager / GA DPH District 3-4 Public Information Officer
-
Nov 2016 - Dec 2016
-
-
-
Durham County Government
-
United States
-
Government Administration
-
700 & Above Employee
-
Communications and Public Relations Manager - Public Health
-
Apr 2012 - Sep 2016
Responsible for the coordination and development of external public health communications on a variety of media platforms (i.e. print, radio, television, social media) to reach a diverse and rapidly growing population of nearly 280,000 residents. Serves as the communications lead for Goal 2 (Health and Well-being for All) for Durham County's Strategic Plan initiative and the health goal for City of Durham/Durham County joint strategic initiative. Responsible for the coordination and development of external public health communications on a variety of media platforms (i.e. print, radio, television, social media) to reach a diverse and rapidly growing population of nearly 280,000 residents. Serves as the communications lead for Goal 2 (Health and Well-being for All) for Durham County's Strategic Plan initiative and the health goal for City of Durham/Durham County joint strategic initiative.
-
-
-
Alamance County Government
-
United States
-
Government Administration
-
100 - 200 Employee
-
Health Education Program Manager/Media and Public Affairs Officer - Public Health
-
Dec 2008 - Mar 2012
Provided leadership and strategic guidance to a staff of public health educators and other health professionals providing community education and outreach programming that reaches a diverse and growing population of over 150,000 residents. Served as chief media spokesperson, web and social media content manager, as well as lead strategic planning, community assessment, and marketing for the agency. Provided leadership and strategic guidance to a staff of public health educators and other health professionals providing community education and outreach programming that reaches a diverse and growing population of over 150,000 residents. Served as chief media spokesperson, web and social media content manager, as well as lead strategic planning, community assessment, and marketing for the agency.
-
-
-
Albemarle Regional Health Services
-
United States
-
Medical Practices
-
1 - 100 Employee
-
Public Health Education Specialist
-
Apr 2005 - Nov 2008
From April 2005 until September 2006, served as the Youth Tobacco Prevention Coordinator, executing daily operations of educational outreach for NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund (HWTF) Youth Tobacco Cessation Initiative grant. Sucessfully lead advocacy efforts that resulted in the adoption of 100% Tobacco-Free Schools policies in Camden County and Elizabeth City-Pasquotank County Schools. Promoted in September 2006. During the rest of tenure, planned, executed, and evaluated wellness programming and diabetes education. Launched sucessful smoke-free dining recognition and incentive program for restaurants in the health district. Successfully developed grant proposals and managed over $30,000 for diabetes education and NC PAN Branch recognized health/physical activity promotion initiatives for two rural and social-economically challenged counties within the health district.
-
-
-
Novant Health
-
United States
-
Hospitals and Health Care
-
700 & Above Employee
-
Patient/Family Services Representative
-
Nov 2004 - Apr 2005
Huntersville Medical Center Huntersville Medical Center
-
-
-
Atrium Health
-
United States
-
Hospitals and Health Care
-
700 & Above Employee
-
Health Educator
-
May 2004 - Oct 2004
Anson Community Hospital Parish Nurse Program (grant funded position). Anson Community Hospital Parish Nurse Program (grant funded position).
-
-
-
Ukrop's Super Markets, Inc.
-
United States
-
Retail Groceries
-
100 - 200 Employee
-
Pharmacy/Wellness Services Assistant
-
Jan 2004 - Apr 2004
-
-
-
ECU Health
-
United States
-
Hospitals and Health Care
-
700 & Above Employee
-
Patient Advocate Assistant - Emergency Services
-
Jul 2001 - Dec 2003
Pitt County Memorial Hospital (now ECU Health Medical Center) Pitt County Memorial Hospital (now ECU Health Medical Center)
-
-
Education
-
2005 - 2008
East Carolina University
MA, Health Education and Promotion -
2001 - 2004
East Carolina University
BS, Health Education and Promotion -
1999 - 2001
UNC Charlotte
-
1995 - 1999
Gates County High School
High School Diploma (with honors)
Community
