Former CoxHealth colleagues starting communications firm

Two former CoxHealth colleagues are teaming up again, this time on a crisis communications consultancy firm.

Kaitlyn McConnell, who exited CoxHealth in 2021 as its system director of public relations, announced in a public Facebook post this morning that she's partnering with former CoxHealth President and CEO Steve Edwards on McConnell Edwards LLC. Edwards retired from CoxHealth in 2022 after 30 years with the health system.

"Through our work together, we are convinced of the need for responsive communication that focuses on transparency," McConnell said in the post. "It's our hope to help companies, people and organizations evaluate their crisis communications plans and protocols – through conversations, drills and curated scenarios – long before a crisis ever arrives."

McConnell Edwards provides proactive mentoring, crisis training and in-the-moment support services, according to its website.

McConnell said in the Facebook post that her new venture with Edwards would not interfere with her work on her Ozarks Alive publication that covers the people and history of the area.

Edwards said in a public Facebook post this morning that he's “honored to work alongside the best public relations professional in my 35-year career."

"We can help your team create a crisis communication plan, we can train your team in crisis communication strategies, and we can even step in to help defend your organization during a media crisis," he said in the post. “Our approach is straight forward – reveal the truth, defend against misinformation and be accountable to your community."

Edwards said in the post he would continue doing health care consulting work through ImagineHealth.