PROFILE
An ambitious MPH candidate, with 7+ years of experience in health policy, communications and advocacy: striving to improve access for people with disabilities. Passionate about travel, hospitality and technology. Always ready to think outside the box to find ways to improve experiences and quality of life for people of all abilities. Getting in the door is not enough; it’s time to raise the bar!
EDUCATION
Master of Public Health May 2015
Boston University, Boston, MA Concentration in Maternal Child Health
Certification in Health & Disability Policy May 2014 University of Massachusetts Medical School/ Suffolk University
Bachelor of Fine Arts May 2007
University of Maine, Farmington, ME BFA in Creative Writing, Michael Wilson Scholarship Recipient
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
HCP Program Support, Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment
September, 2015- Present
August 2013 – Present
CCA is a nonprofit insurance company that provides care for MA residents eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare
• Strategizing and creating processes to streamline integrated care process for complex members, striving for cost savings without sacrificing quality of care
• Managing monthly member rosters for the state’s One Care program (proficient in Microsoft Excel)
• Data entry, financial reconciliation (using eClinicalWorks and Market Prominence)
• Organizing and co-facilitating quarterly learning collaborative sessions
Blogger, Speaker, Consultant, CurbCutsandCocktails.com April 2010 - Present
• Writing and managing blog and social media
• Providing tailored keynote, and workshop presentations on self empowerment and finding balance in having a disability and living life to the fullest
• Advocacy and reviews for travel and hospitality to increase access and quality for customers with health needs and disabilities
Conference Director, Face Forward Program | Next Step Fund October 2009 – February 2015
Next Step is a nonprofit organization that strives to shatter limitations and elevate inspiration of young adults living with life threatening illnesses.
• Planned and facilitated annual youth led retreat for youth with rare genetic and metabolic disorders
• Improved application process and recruitment process to increase conference attendance
• Conducted outreach and networking to increase awareness and partnership on a national level
National Youth Program Manager, Got Transition? National Health Care Transition Center July 2010 – August 2013
Got Transition? Providing innovative strategies for health professionals and youth and families, to improve transition from pediatric to adult care
• Supported with planning and organizing regional learning collaborative events
• Created and reviewed tools to be used within clinical quality improvement efforts
• Co-hosted monthly transition themed radio show/podcast targeted towards youth and families (including script writing and webinar production)
• Managed Facebook and Twitter pages with frequent updates related to topics of transition or health policy- while exploring ways to further utilize social media for marketing purposes, and to connect with national partners.
Youth Coordinator, Healthy & Ready to Work National Resource Center July 2007 – April 2010
• Served as liaison to other state agencies and consumer leadership organizations.
• Provided technical assistance nationwide on topics of policy and transition
• Conducted interactive skill building workshop sessions (in person and virtual)
• Reviewed and created assessment tools to measure transition readiness for youth and families
• Planned and implemented statewide conferences, advisory meetings, and virtual networking sessions.
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
Leadership in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Fellow September 2013 – May 2014
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, UMass Medical School/ Suffolk University
• Participated in extensive skill building and leadership training on topics of advocacy, healthcare access and disability policy
• Conducted research on the impact of safe, accessible housing on health outcomes
Board of Directors October 2013 – Present
Youth Move National
• Resource and Development committee, supporting with marketing and fundraising efforts
Consumer Advisory Spring 2013 - Present
National Genetics Education Consumer Network
Special Invitation, White House Disability Policy Briefing & Reception April 2011
Publications:
▪ “Health Care and the Transition to Education and Employment,” Six by Sixteen, AUCD March, 2015
▪ “Empowering Youth,” Exceptional Parenting Magazine, June, 2014 pp. 33- 34
▪ “A Gift to Keep You Strong,” Published in A life for L.O.V.E.: Michael Jackson stories you should have heard before. Bridgette Bloeman, August 2013
▪ “From the Campers,” published in Shameless Exploitation in Pursuit of the Common Good: The Madcap Business Adventure by the Truly Oddest Couple, Newman, P. and Hotchner, A.E., 2003. Nan A. Talese; 1 edition, November 4, 2003, pp 216-217.
▪ “Social Media: Success Stories,” AMCHP Pulse Newsletter, March 2010 pp. 8-9
SKILLS:
INTERESTS:
An ambitious MPH candidate, with 7+ years of experience in health policy, communications and advocacy: striving to improve access for people with disabilities. Passionate about travel, hospitality and technology. Always ready to think outside the box to find ways to improve experiences and quality of life for people of all abilities. Getting in the door is not enough; it’s time to raise the bar!
EDUCATION
Master of Public Health May 2015
Boston University, Boston, MA Concentration in Maternal Child Health
Certification in Health & Disability Policy May 2014 University of Massachusetts Medical School/ Suffolk University
Bachelor of Fine Arts May 2007
University of Maine, Farmington, ME BFA in Creative Writing, Michael Wilson Scholarship Recipient
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
HCP Program Support, Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment
September, 2015- Present
- Source, create and disseminate monthly HCP publication with program updates, and other content relevant to care coordinators and local public health staff, sent to a list of 165 recipients.
- Convened a planning group to discuss transition work for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs, resulting in deliverables and strategic direction to be achieved within the next 12-18 months.
- Develop tailored content and materials for quarterly webinars based on the learning needs of the audience, in collaboration with Colorado's University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), resulting in a full/”sold out” registration
- Implement an evaluation process and data collection protocol resulting in the mailing of over 600 surveys to assess program quality of HCP Care Coordination and Specialty Clinics
- Develop communications and messaging for local public heath agencies to be shared through different platforms, such as virtual meetings reaching 50 participants.
- Member of planning team statewide MCH Conference, as well as developing content and materials for HCP breakout session resulting in 60 registered participants
- Staff liaison to Children’s Disability Advisory Group (Medicaid) addressing issues affecting Children and Youth with Special Health Needs, and developing communications for community stakeholders around waiver simplification
August 2013 – Present
CCA is a nonprofit insurance company that provides care for MA residents eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare
• Strategizing and creating processes to streamline integrated care process for complex members, striving for cost savings without sacrificing quality of care
• Managing monthly member rosters for the state’s One Care program (proficient in Microsoft Excel)
• Data entry, financial reconciliation (using eClinicalWorks and Market Prominence)
• Organizing and co-facilitating quarterly learning collaborative sessions
Blogger, Speaker, Consultant, CurbCutsandCocktails.com April 2010 - Present
• Writing and managing blog and social media
• Providing tailored keynote, and workshop presentations on self empowerment and finding balance in having a disability and living life to the fullest
• Advocacy and reviews for travel and hospitality to increase access and quality for customers with health needs and disabilities
Conference Director, Face Forward Program | Next Step Fund October 2009 – February 2015
Next Step is a nonprofit organization that strives to shatter limitations and elevate inspiration of young adults living with life threatening illnesses.
• Planned and facilitated annual youth led retreat for youth with rare genetic and metabolic disorders
• Improved application process and recruitment process to increase conference attendance
• Conducted outreach and networking to increase awareness and partnership on a national level
National Youth Program Manager, Got Transition? National Health Care Transition Center July 2010 – August 2013
Got Transition? Providing innovative strategies for health professionals and youth and families, to improve transition from pediatric to adult care
• Supported with planning and organizing regional learning collaborative events
• Created and reviewed tools to be used within clinical quality improvement efforts
• Co-hosted monthly transition themed radio show/podcast targeted towards youth and families (including script writing and webinar production)
• Managed Facebook and Twitter pages with frequent updates related to topics of transition or health policy- while exploring ways to further utilize social media for marketing purposes, and to connect with national partners.
Youth Coordinator, Healthy & Ready to Work National Resource Center July 2007 – April 2010
• Served as liaison to other state agencies and consumer leadership organizations.
• Provided technical assistance nationwide on topics of policy and transition
• Conducted interactive skill building workshop sessions (in person and virtual)
• Reviewed and created assessment tools to measure transition readiness for youth and families
• Planned and implemented statewide conferences, advisory meetings, and virtual networking sessions.
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
Leadership in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Fellow September 2013 – May 2014
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, UMass Medical School/ Suffolk University
• Participated in extensive skill building and leadership training on topics of advocacy, healthcare access and disability policy
• Conducted research on the impact of safe, accessible housing on health outcomes
Board of Directors October 2013 – Present
Youth Move National
• Resource and Development committee, supporting with marketing and fundraising efforts
Consumer Advisory Spring 2013 - Present
National Genetics Education Consumer Network
Special Invitation, White House Disability Policy Briefing & Reception April 2011
Publications:
▪ “Health Care and the Transition to Education and Employment,” Six by Sixteen, AUCD March, 2015
▪ “Empowering Youth,” Exceptional Parenting Magazine, June, 2014 pp. 33- 34
▪ “A Gift to Keep You Strong,” Published in A life for L.O.V.E.: Michael Jackson stories you should have heard before. Bridgette Bloeman, August 2013
▪ “From the Campers,” published in Shameless Exploitation in Pursuit of the Common Good: The Madcap Business Adventure by the Truly Oddest Couple, Newman, P. and Hotchner, A.E., 2003. Nan A. Talese; 1 edition, November 4, 2003, pp 216-217.
▪ “Social Media: Success Stories,” AMCHP Pulse Newsletter, March 2010 pp. 8-9
SKILLS:
- PowerPoint Public Speaking iMovie
- Word Excel
- Web Design/UX
- Conference Planning Writing/Editing YouTube
- Facilitation Social Media
- Relationship Building
INTERESTS:
- Blogging
- Hotels & Hospitality
- Food & Wine
- Travel
- Life Coaching
- Professional Development
- Health & Beauty
- Fashion