Social Media

Stay up-to-date with the latest news and events by following Weill Cornell Medicine on social media. You’ll find a variety of posts covering healthcare news, research breakthroughs and education on each platform. Our feeds also include updates from faculty, students, departments, institutes, centers, units and other groups, which you can follow in turn.

Weill Cornell Medicine is proud to post about the accomplishments and activities of the members of our community. If you would like your news recognized on the institution's social media channels, submit your request to socialmedia-wcmc@med.cornell.edu.

Users who interact with any social media property of Weill Cornell Medicine are bound by the Weill Cornell Medicine and Cornell University social media policies, see links at right. It is important to note that these guidelines may be applicable for employees outside of work and other users when making reference to Weill Cornell Medicine.

Weill Cornell Medicine-Affiliated Social Media Accounts

Guidelines For Establishing An Account For A Unit*

To establish a social media account for a unit affiliated with Weill Cornell Medicine, please review the social media registration and internal policy here.

Account administrators must correct, modify or terminate WCM-affiliated social media accounts under their administration, as directed by The Office of External Affairs per Cornell University Policy 4.16 (Section: Procedures).

*Unit is defined as department, division, center, institute, program, fellowship, or other affiliated entity

Labs, Residency Programs and Students Groups

Labs, residency programs and student groups do not meet the definition of a unit social media account, are not sponsored by the institution and the institution is not responsible for the content they share (Weill Cornell Medicine Policy Section 5.01). This includes social media accounts administered by students on behalf of student-run clubs and organizations. Nevertheless, accounts identifying themselves as affiliated with Weill Cornell Medicine are expected to comply with the code the conduct outlined in the Weill Cornell Medicine Social Media Policy (For Internal Users).

A residency or student group handle should include "WCM" or "Weill Cornell" along with the official name of the program or group.

An account for a residency should include "resident-run account" and a student group must include "student-run account" in the bio.

Naming Conventions for Unit Accounts

Use "Weill Cornell Medicine," "Weill Cornell," or "WCM" when naming your account and handle along with the name of your unit. If your unit name is too long to use in full form, abbreviate when necessary. When possible, keep your handle and account name consistent across social media platforms. If your handle is an acronym, utilize your name and bio section to include Weill Cornell Medicine and your program name. Please see an example here. These requirements help distinguish Weill Cornell Medicine from other university units or entities.

Avatars and Cover Photos

Use a simple image or graphic as your avatar to give your unit a distinct visual identity. 

Choose an expressive image for your cover. Unit accounts should have an expressive, high-quality image as their cover. Ideally, this image should connect to your unit's visual vocabulary and the imagery featured on your website, blog or other communications.

Unit accounts that complete a registration form and are compliant with brand and social media guidelines will be offered a social media filter for your avatar or profile photo. 

A campaign social media frame is available for use by faculty, staff and students can be found in the brand center here. 

Questions for units or students to ask before starting a new account:

• What is the reason for launching a social media account?
• Who is your target audience and what social media platform do they use?
• What will your content look like? How often will you post? Do you have enough content for your presence to be consistent and sustainable?
• Who will manage the account? Do you have at least two administrators who will run the account?
• Do you have the time to monitor account activity on a daily basis?
• Are you familiar with the HIPAA guidelines specific to external-facing content?
• What will you do if your communications strategy doesn’t succeed?
• If your unit is affiliated with another institution have you reviewed their social media policy guidelines?