Cheryl A. Yurkovich, former director of media relations at the Detroit Medical Center (DMC), has been named director of public relations at Wayne State University, announced Jeffrey Stoltman, vice president for marketing and communication.

"In this position," Stoltman said, "Ms. Yurkovich will lead our efforts in local and national media, crisis communication management and serve on university-wide task forces."

Stoltman added, "She will act as a liaison and resource contact for university personnel and external clients."

Yurkovich has more than 20 years experience in public relations, marketing and development. Most recently she directed the system-wide media relations function for the $1.4 billion DMC academic health care system that included eight hospitals and various ambulatory sites.

There, she led the start-up of the media relations division, transforming it from a hospital-based to a corporate-based activity and substantially increased local, regional and national publicity.

Yurkovich also directed the consolidation of media processes for all the hospitals and provided public relations counsel and crisis communication management to administrators and physicians.

Joining the DMC in 1996 followed eight years as director of public relations for Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit. Under her direction feature articles at Children's were increased from 60 to 500 annually in a four-year period. In addition she planned, managed and publicized special events and projects and directed an internal and external publications program.

Her previous director and communication positions were with United Way Community Services, Camp Fire Boys and Girls Wathana Council and American Cancer Society.

Yurkovich earned a bachelor of applied arts degree in public relations and journalism from the University of Detroit in 1975.

Her memberships include the board of trustees and public relations committee chairwoman for Ronald McDonald House Charities, Michigan Health Care Communicators Association and Women in Communications.