Editorial rules
The editorial guide defines how we write and communicate as a brand. Consistent language, tone, and formatting ensure that every message reflects Henry Community Health’s professionalism and care.
Brand name
First reference: Always spell out Henry Community Health.
Subsequent references: You may use the abbreviation HCH if it improves readability and comprehension on the page.
Terminology
Use orthopedics (not “orthopaedics”).
Use healthcare (one word).
Names, addresses, and numbers
Physicians
In listings: Use Firstname Lastname, credentials.
In body copy: Use either Firstname Lastname, credentials or Dr. Firstname Lastname (to avoid redundancy).
Addresses
Write out full street names.
Phone numbers
Use the format xxx-xxx-xxxx.
Copy style
Headlines and section titles
Use sentence case (capitalize only the first word and proper nouns).
Card titles, buttons, and CTAs
Use title case (capitalize major words).
Capitalize the first and last words of a title, and all major words in between (nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and subordinating conjunctions such as because, although, when).
Do not capitalize: articles (a, an, the), coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet), or prepositions with fewer than four letters (in, on, to, at, by, for, etc.)—unless they are the first or last word in the title.
Inline capitalization
Capitalize only proper nouns (no unnecessary capitalization).
Lists
Use the serial (Oxford) comma before the final “and” or “or.”
Links and file references
When linking to a downloadable file, include the file type in parentheses.
Numbers and ages
Write ages as numerals (e.g., age 45).
Hyphenate ages only when used as an adjective:
Do not use “aged” to describe a person.
Dates and times
Dates
Use the format Mon. D, YYYY (e.g., Jan. 15, 2025).
When possible, refer to time spans using “since [year]” to reduce the need for annual updates (e.g., serving patients since 2004).
Times
Write times in numeric format followed by lowercase am or pm with no periods.
On-the-hour times: omit “:00.”
Range formatting: use an en dash or hyphen with spaces on both sides.
When times follow a day of the week, include a colon after the day.
Time zones (e.g., EST, EDT) are not needed unless clarity requires them.