SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Loretto recently announced it has promoted Julie Smith to marketing and communications director.

Formerly marketing and communications manager, Smith started at Loretto in September 2020. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management with a concentration in marketing and a minor in communication/ journalism from St. John Fisher College.

Smith is a recent graduate of Loretto’s Leadership Academy, the organization said. Her new role involves strategically developing and implementing marketing programs, driving recruitment and retention efforts, enhancing social-media presence, managing employee events and sponsorships, promoting employee engagement and communication, and supporting Loretto’s reputation, mission, and strategic growth.

“Julie has led several strategic marketing campaigns for our recruitment efforts, effectively grown our social channels and managed all successful employee events. She is an incredible asset to her team and I am excited to see her continue to grow in this leadership opportunity,” Julie Sheedy, chief marketing and engagement officer at Loretto, said in a release.

Loretto says it is the fourth largest health-care provider and the sixth largest employer in the region, employing 2,500 people at 19 locations in Onondaga and Cayuga counties and providing care to nearly 10,000 people each year.