Twitter is a social media channel that allows users to connect according to their shared interests, and the academic surgery community is no different. In our ongoing #FollowFriday series, we’re interviewing our most Twitter-enthusiastic faculty about their online presence and how they use the platform to stay connected.
Read last week's installment here.
Social Media Tips from @UABSurgery:
- Always be sure to use the correct spelling of names and organizations included in your post and try to tag or mention their accounts whenever possible.
- On Twitter or Instagram, it is not always necessary to include both the full name and account name of a person or organization. The account name is often sufficient.
- When posting about or from a particular event that is open to the public, be sure to include the name of the event, what time it starts and ends, where it is being held and any photos you have of the event.
- Know how to engage with other content creators in your academic surgery community, while still working to reflect well on your institution.
- Feel free to engage with news outlets or reporters on posts related to your areas of expertise, but be sure to direct all media inquiries to your media relations specialist first. Our media relations contact is generally Adam Pope: arpope@uab.edu.
Learn more about social media best practices from UAB’s Brand and Communication Toolkit, and don't forget to follow @UABSurgery on Twitter.
Colin Martin, M.D.
Surgical Director, Center for Advanced Intestinal Rehabilitation
UAB/Children's of Alabama
Associate Professor, Division of Pediatric Surgery
UAB Department of Surgery
- Handle: @colinalexmartin
- Followers: 1,073
- Tweets: 255
Why do you use Twitter? Twitter is a great way to communicate in the professional and academic space. I get the opportunity to highlight my interests and also highlight and promote the accomplishments of others.
What do you tweet about? [I usually tweet] short messages and relevant information.
John R. Porterfield Jr., M.D., M.S.P.H, F.A.C.S.
Director, General Surgery Residency Program
Associate Professor, Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery
UAB Department of Surgery
- Handle: @PorterfieldJohn
- Followers: 527
- Tweets: 207
Why do you use Twitter? I primarily tweet to grow connections for my team. I use Twitter because of its reach to friends and colleagues and so I don’t have to think about who [specifically I need to send information] to. It’s like sending an email to thousands of peers. I treat tweeting like it’s a commercial for my general surgery residents, the Department of Surgery and the entire UAB Health System.
What do you tweet about? I like to tweet to highlight the accomplishments of my residents, peers and colleagues. It’s as if I’m marketing and advertising the department’s accomplishments.
George Yang, M.D., Ph.D.
Vice Chair, VA Affairs
Associate Chief of Staff, VA Surgical Services
Professor, Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery
UAB Department of Surgery
- Handle: @gpyangmd
- Followers: 434
- Tweets: 665
Why do you use Twitter? I use Twitter primarily as a way to spread interest in the organizations I am affiliated with. This includes UAB Surgery and the Society of Asian Academic Surgeons. I have also found it helps me to understand what the issues of interest are to surgeons in general.
What do you tweet about? I generally tweet about the [organizations I am affiliated with]. I use Twitter as a way to expand the messages these organizations are trying to put out.
[Note: Follower and tweet counts as of Nov. 9, 2018. Marina Moody contributed to this report.]