Performance review: Told to "improve image" -- how?

I work for an ad agency. I am in my 40s, which means I'm in the end phase of my career unless I can move into management.

At my performance review this a.m., I received glowing accolades. The work is great. Clients like me. Staff loves to work with me. However, there are two Sr. VPs who aren't so happy with me, because four years ago, I was on some major accounts with them, and I was really, really sick, so I had trouble keeping up. I am healthy now, and I don't have those issues any more.

I don't work with them hardly at all any more, but they still say that I can't get my work done on time (have only missed 1 deadline in 2 years, and that's because my husband was in a terrible accident and suffered a brain injury, so I had to leave the office and sit with him in the hospital). They say I am more concerned about my family than I am about their clients.

My supervisor admits it's all perception and not reality, but he says it's my job to change their perception. I'm supposed to come up with a list of strategies and tactics for improving my image.

I've only just heard this within the last hour, but I'm really at a loss. Any suggestions?