Communications, Branding,
Marketing Guidelines

Who We Serve & Contact Information

These resources are designed specifically for program administrators and personnel within the University of Minnesota's Department of Family Medicine and Community Health Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs. Contact fmrp@umn.edu with questions.

Branding, Communication, and Marketing Resources

What is Branding?

A strong brand is more than just a logo or name; it is your program’s story and reputation.
Strong branding is essential because it:

• Creates a distinctive identity that resonates with potential candidates.

• Builds trust through consistent messaging.

• Attracts top talent to your program.

• Strengthens your program's presence in the medical community.

Note: All resources here are intended for UMN residency and fellowship programs. For clinic marketing (M Health, CentraCare, Essentia Health, etc.), please email fmchcomm@umn.edu for assistance in finding the correct contact.

Artificial Intelligence

Explore AI, guidelines, training, and read more about the Appropriate Use of Generative AI Tools.  
See more details about using artificial intelligence.

Business Cards/Letterhead

To request residency/fellowship-specific letterhead or to inquire about business cards, email fmchcomm@umn.edu.  Charge expenses to program operations.

Branding and Graphics

If you or your trainees are creating graphics or any visuals that are intended for external audiences, please adhere to the UMN branding guidelines. If you need assistance, please email fmchcomm@umn.edu, and we can advise. We can provide branded templates for you in many cases.

• UMN brand policy: https://policy.umn.edu/operations/branding

• Colors and type: https://university-relations.umn.edu/resources/colors-and-type

• Family medicine residency program colors: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X2NNajbqUN7V9NzrsnqvyGLGesA5k_4x/view?usp=sharing

Giveaways and Procurement

Strategic use of branded items helps maintain visibility and engagement. For best results:

• Choose durable, practical items people will use regularly.

• Focus on quality over quantity.

• Consider items that align with your program's values

Timeline

Allow 2.5 months from concept to delivery for: 

• Design review and approval

• Logo placement optimization

• Production and fulfillment

• Handling potential delays

Purchasing Guidelines

Funding & Branding Requirements:

• For trainee, student, or candidate items: Use U of M logo and funds 

• Verify fund eligibility through fmfinanc@umn.edu 

• Follow U of M branding guidelines for university-funded items 

• It is not recommended to purchase gift cards for U of M employees and students due to financial logistics

Procurement Process

•  For UMN Bookstore orders (apparel and other items), email: umngifts@umn.edu,  (not bksgifts@umn.edu), request department logo from fmchcomm@umn.edu. The training program name can be beside the department wordmark.

•  Check UMarket or UMarket Amazon first  

•  Use One2One Marketing (Department's preferred vendor) 

•  For alternative vendors:

  • Verify if a vendor is already approved by U Relations using the UMN Brand Vendor Approval Spreadsheet. 

  • To request U Relations to review a new vendor, submit the request by filling out this Vendor Review Request Form or by emailing them directly at brand@umn.edu. 

  • Save approval email

  • Review terms and conditions

  • Document justification for not using preferred vendors

  • Submit documentation to fmfinanc@umn.edu

Know the products, estimated price and shipping, and fund you are using?  Submit the order for UMN Purchasing Card approval. 

If purchasing through UMarket, see the guide for how to add items to your shopping cart and then assign cart to Brenda Dolejs.

Sharing News

To share and amplify any news, such as faculty research, resident-featured events, recruitment events, community events, or anything else that you feel is newsworthy and could benefit from being promoted via University channels, please share that by emailing fmchcomm@umn.edu.

Social Media

For any general questions or to request support, feel free to email fmchcomm@umn.edu. 

Videos

If you would like to create a video for promotional purposes, please get in touch with fmchcomm@umn.edu to kick things off. We can advise on the process, brand guidelines, and more.

Website Updates

• • Use the Family Medicine Website Change Request Form to request changes. 

  • Submit requests using the Medical School Website Request Tool.

  • For any other UMN web-related questions, contact fmchcomm@umn.edu.

Trainee Photos and Biographies

• • • Collected through the RMS New Innovations Trainee Onboarding department checklist via this form and automatically shared with the department communications staff

    • For program orientation photos (group shots and headshots), email fmrp@umn.edu to schedule. All photography services are department-funded.  

        Faculty Photos and Biographies

• Department human resources personnel notify department communications personnel when there's a new hire. Depending on the faculty appointment, the faculty member will be added to the website. See UMN Medical School guidelines on who to list on department webpages.

• Department communications personnel will email the new faculty member directly (CC'ing the program administrator) to fill out the UMN Faculty Biography Submission Form. 

• Otherwise, submit a photography request via this form to be informed of any upcoming sessions as well.

View more details on the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health: Communication Intranet Webpages.