Holly Cooper Ford

Writer/ Editor / Creative Marketer



Holly Cooper Ford has more than 25 years of experience creating and amplifying the voices of organizations through effective, on-brand copy that inspires, informs, motivates and sells. 
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Editorial Services

Editorial Direction / Online Content Management / Corporate & Internal Communications / Branding / Creative Nonfiction / Personality Profiles / Health & Lifestyle Reporting / Catalog Copy / Ad Copy / Retail Signage / Direct Mail / Scripting for TV, Radio & Presentations

Past and Current Clients

Mademoiselle Magazine / Creative Loafing Atlanta / Rolling Stone Online / Vim & Vigor / Charlottesville House & Home / Albemarle Family / Cville Weekly / UVA Health System / Culpeper Medical Center / Children's National Hospital / Duke Health System / Children's Healthcare of Atlanta / Charlottesville Daily Progress / Roswell Park Cancer Institute / Plow & Hearth / 1800Flowers.com / FootSmart / HearthSong

Impactful Copy. Effective Marketing. Happy Clients.

$1B Capital Campaign: Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

In 2017, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta launched its largest fundraising campaign in its 100-year history to expand its campus and build a new, 19-story hospital. Never Settle: A Campaign for Kids has raised close to 90% of its $1 billion goal. As one of the lead writers for the campaign, I have been the "voice" of this marketing effort, creating content for:

  • Campaign microsite
  • Advertisements
  • PR and social media
  • Fundraising emails
  • Leadership presentations
  • Building installations
  • Donor outreach

Award-Winning Copy

The Aster Awards recognize excellence in healthcare marketing, and I have received the program's highest honor for original content.

To the Point: Educating Healthcare Consumers

Working with some of the nation's leading hospitals and academic medical centers, I have spent a majority of my career translating complex healthcare information into optimized, consumer-friendly content that not only educates, but also drives preference.

Healthy Balance •

Get Your Guy to the Doctor: Tips for Tackling Men’s Health Issues Head-On

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of American men over age 20 have high blood pressure. More than 40% are obese, and almost 15% are in fair or poor health. Yet, many men are not getting the healthcare they need. According to one survey by the Commonwealth Fund, more than half of all men had not had a physical exam in the previous year. In other words: when it comes to managing their health, the men in our lives need to step up their game.
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta •

Dos & Don'ts of Giving Melatonin to Kids

Melatonin should not be necessary for the average kid, says Dr. Malik. But there are some who might benefit from short-term use. This includes kids who experience insomnia or trouble falling asleep due to: Dr. Malik also recommends melatonin for kids who have certain sleep disorders, such as: If your child is a night owl, they may have DSP. This is a disorder common in adolescence in which a child cannot fall asleep at a “normal” time. Instead, they may stay up for hours after their recommende
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta •

How to Protect Kids from Common Playtime Injuries

1. Little legs can get hurt when sliding with adults Of all the equipment on the playground, slides are one of the most common spots for injuries to happen. There is the occasional daredevil who jumps from the top of the slide. But more often, it’s little ones who get hurt sliding down on a parent’s lap. “A lot of younger toddlers may be afraid to go down the slide, or their parent thinks it's more fun if the child goes down the slide on their lap,” says Children's pediatric orthopedic surgeon
Healthy Balance •

Safe or Not-So-Safe? The Truth Behind the Vaginal Mesh Controversy

The vaginal mesh procedure is used to treat pelvic organ prolapse and helps offer relief from pain, pressure, and a range of embarrassing symptoms like urinary leakage. Tune into daytime television and you’re likely to see commercials taking aim at vaginal mesh implants. The goal of these ads is to enlist women to join a class-action lawsuit against device manufacturers. But they also strike fear into many women with a long list of scary side effects flashing across the screen: Pain, infection,
Healthy Balance •

Sex After 60? What You Need to Know About STDs

Coming this fall to your TV screen: “The Golden Bachelor.” That’s right, reality television fans, seniors are finally getting their shot at this (somewhat unscripted) love connection. The suspenseful rose ceremonies and extravagant date nights are likely. But will there be an overnight in the fantasy suite? If this is, in fact, reality, then there should be. Physical intimacy important — sex even has health benefits. Yes, even for those in their twilight years. Shining a light on sex after 60 m
Healthy Balance •

Signs of Perimenopause & Symptom Survival Tips from a Midlife Expert

There’s no good time for the signs of perimenopause to appear. But for many women, perimenopause added to the mix of midlife is like a perfect storm. You’re juggling hot flashes and high-stress responsibilities. You’re managing your teen’s mood swings on top of your own emotional highs and lows. Dealing with aging parents and the very clear signs that you’re getting older, too. Not to mention the sleepless nights, brain fog, irregular periods, and low libido. Unfortunately, this isn't like pub
Healthy Balance •

My Baby Won't Go to Sleep! Tips for Tired Parents on Bed Sharing & More

Slings and infant carriers are a good option for nap time as long as you can see your baby's face. When your baby won’t go to sleep or stay asleep, desperation can set in. You’ll try just about anything to catch some Z’s. One night in a swing can’t hurt, right? We asked Fern Hauck, MD, MS, a UVA Health family medicine doctor and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) to weigh in. She shares the latest safe sleep recommendations, which b
Healthy Balance •

Shingles Nerve Pain Can Last Months or Even Years

He has waves of pain that start along the foot-long scar across his back and then shoot through his chest. The pain hits him at night when he’s trying to sleep, when he’s outdoors in the heat, or just randomly while he’s watching TV. My 75-year-old dad delayed getting a shingles vaccine. Unfortunately, he got a horrible case of shingles. The infection cleared. But more than 20 months later, he still battles the after effects.
Healthy Balance •

Not Vaccinating? New Polio & Measles Cases Are a Stark Reminder of the Risks

Measles can cause life-threatening pneumonia. Or your child’s brain could swell, leaving them deaf, intellectually disabled, or worse. One day, 7-year-old Olivia seemed to be recovering. She was alert and playing in bed. But 12 hours later, she was gone. The cause of her death: measles enchaphalitis or swelling of the brain. This is how author Roald Dahl, who wrote childhood favorites like "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," described his daughter’s illness. He wrote the essay in 1988 — 24 ye

Overcoming Staff Shortages: Recruiting Effort for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

In response to the nationwide shortage of nurses and other clinical care providers, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta amped up its recruiting efforts. I was the lead writer for these and other initiatives to boost visibility and preference:

  • All-new career website
  • Quarterly hiring newsletter for potential candidates
  • Promotional materials for year-round, themed hiring events
  • Company profiles on leading job search platforms
  • Email direct marketing 
  • Promos for professional conferences/events
  • Paid social media