#WeAreKNB Series: Amber Hamilton

The "We are KNB" series gives you a peek behind the curtain to understand what makes our band of healthcare communications experts tick. We ask them about their motivations and goals and some personal questions.

This month we would like to highlight the newest addition to the KNB team, Amber Hamilton. Amber joins us with nearly 15 years of experience in healthcare PR, and we couldn't be happier for her to join us!

What inspired you to work at KNB Communications?

I want to work with clients that are putting out responsible and innovative products and services. I’m most motivated when working with industry thought leaders who are passionate about educating the public by giving journalists reliable information that captivates the masses and generates change within individuals.

What drew you to healthcare public relations?

Health is one area of news that is relevant to everyone. Medical and health news is how most of us first hear about the latest research, interventions, devices, drugs, surgical techniques, and wellness innovations. It can influence us to change attitudes and behaviors.

This means it’s a space where misinformation can indeed cause harm. Elevating the voices of knowledgeable, ethical experts is the best way to combat that—which is where public relations can have a significant influence.

Healthcare public relations is the unique convergence of creativity, regulation, ethics, and impact. We must be meticulous, accurate, and captivating all at once, which is challenging in an increasingly congested media environment where “good news about your bad habits” often draws the most eyes.

But people who work in the health space are brilliant and passionate individuals, which makes my job of translating high science into compelling, relatable stories easier.

What sets KNB apart from other marketing and PR agencies?

During my career, I’ve worked for large and small public relations agencies as an in-house communication counsel and as an independent freelancer. KNB has a distinctive mixture: diverse talent seen in larger agencies, devotion to client service expected of boutique agencies, and depth of subject knowledge that parallels in-house communications.

Imagine your perfect day. What would that day consist of?

I’m a passionate vegan activist certified in plant-based nutrition by the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies. So, if I’m not counseling people about the impact of their food choices on their health and the planet, I’m spending time with animals. Sometimes that’s simply walking my three dogs and cuddling with my elderly cat. On other days it’s visiting surrendered pets at a local humane society or volunteering at an animal rescue.

What’s a fun fact about you that most people don't know?

I was born anosmic—meaning I lack a sense of smell. Anosmia is classified as an invisible disability, so friends and family often forget I am without this basic bodily function. During the pandemic, it was interesting to hear more people discuss the effect that losing their sense of smell had on their life. For the most part, anosmia hasn’t significantly influenced my life – I suppose you can’t miss what you never had in the first place – but when I wanted to learn how to cook, it certainly made culinary classes more challenging.