KNBeing spotlight: Joe Morgan
Getting to know a KNBeing is about more than job titles or résumés. It’s about understanding the people behind the work — what draws them to healthcare + life sciences, how they think about impact, and why they show up every day with so much purpose.
In this series, we spotlight the KNBeings who power our PR team and dig into the how + why behind their passion. From translating complex science into meaningful stories to helping healthcare innovations earn the trust they deserve, these are the people shaping the narratives that matter most.
Next up: Joe Morgan.
I think my personal life and being a dad of a special needs child has really given me a leg up on a lot of others in my field. I’ve spent many nights in the hospital, many hours in doctor’s offices, on the phone arguing with insurance companies, trying out new medical devices and technologies in my personal life - it gives me not only more knowledge but more perspective regarding healthcare since I’ve seen it from both sides. I’m able to understand products and services in the healthcare field so much better because I’ve actually lived it.
As a former journalist, I still think there’s extraordinary value in the human element of storytelling. Stories that make the readers or viewers feel something always resonates with them more. So, anytime as a PR pro where I can help give a story a more “human” element is definitely the route I try to go. People don’t always remember specific people, or a specific thing, or a specific place, but they will usually always remember how that person, place or thing made them feel. I’m always biased to the human element and the feeling of the story. Example being a new medical breakthrough device - great story, changing lives, making the world better - but what if I can show you the face of the 8-year-old girl who can now live a life so much similar to her peers because of this breakthrough device? More memorable, right?
I would spend the day inside the lab for sure! I’m borderline fascinated with the research aspect of curing diseases and making steps forward for the betterment of mankind. I’d love to see the tools these researchers use, hear their conversation,s and expectations of what their research will be doing. The sky is the limit in healthcare, and I would love to have a front row seat in the lab where medical breakthroughs are just a tiny idea.
The biggest personal experience I have had that has shaped my view of healthcare is, without a doub,t the birth of my second child, Evie. She was born with spina bifida and has faced so many challenges throughout her 12 years of life. She’s had over 40 surgeries and medical procedures, countless MRIs, x-rays, and CT scans, and spent many, many nights in a hospital bed recovering from brain, back, neck, foot, le,g and eye surgeries. Seeing her daily challenges makes me look at the healthcare world so much differently. From the technology used, to scheduling, to insurance coverage, to hospital food - everything gets put into a different perspective when you have a special needs child who has increased medical needs.
100% it’s passion. From a very early age, my father always told me that if you’re going to do something, you better give it 100% and be passionate about it. I’ve tried my best to keep that at the forefront of my mind as I go through life. From my coursework as a student, to my three part-time jobs in college, to my career path, to my fostering relationships with my family and friends - if you’re not passionate about what you’re doing, you won’t give it 100% so why are you wasting your time on it?
Maybe the biggest headturner when I’m asked this question is the fact that I played soccer against prisoners INSIDE a maximum security prison in Mexico. I was in Mexico on a mission trip with a bunch of churches in the summer during middle school. We were helping build a new church in town and one day a group of us went to the prison to play soccer against the prisoners as a sort of witnessing outreach mission. We went through the gate in a church van surrounded by guards with assault rifles and were given a lengthy lecture before we were led into the field at the center of the prison to play soccer with the prisoners. Surprisingly, the prisoners were all very polite and enjoyed knocking us on our butts but then helped us up and smiled.
I think the overall teamwork mentality is what’s most important. A true teammate is just as proud and excited at the success of another teammate as they are with their success. There’s no me or I in a true team and we all are always working together for the betterment of the entire team. Everyone is different, and everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, but together we’ll conquer anything as a team.