"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." -Lao Tzu
ABOUT ME
At first glance, my resume reads as if I started my first "real" job after graduating from DPT school, but that couldn't be further from the truth. I actually started working at the age of 12 helping my aunt at her nail salon (opening the door, really easy stuff) and initially had free perks like a mani/pedi, but as I got older it upgraded to money. And with money came more responsibilities so by the time I was in high school, I fulfilled all the duties of a receptionist.
This continued until I started my first semester at BU and lived on campus. After working for almost 7 years and having experienced the perks of an income, I couldn't resist--I ended up working part-time for the rest of my duration at BU in the IT department. I then pivoted from IT into the healthcare field and developed a passion for healing, so my zeal for physical therapy grew until my acceptance into DPT school. I did take a year off in between undergrad and graduate school and worked my first big girl job as a QAI Specialist (this was me "taking a year off").
I told myself I would NOT work while in grad school because it was going to be so much harder than getting my bachelor's degree....but after one year of not working, I jumped back into it. This is when I became a graduate tutor, and eventually, a graduate assistant as well. Before my official graduation date, I was offered a full-time position as a PT in an outpatient clinic and accepted. Since then, I worked in almost every setting and across the country, even up in Alaska!
When COVID hit, I took 2 years off to be at home with my first born son, but history shows that I don't stay out of the workplace for too long. I pivoted again in my career and went non-clinical, working for NaviHealth (now Optum) as a Clinical Reviewer. After a year of that, I felt stagnant and wanted to challenge myself some more, so moved into a Project Manager role for UHC. This brings us to the present day, where I'm still likely looking for a new challenge and will take life a step at a time until I find it.
Resume
Education
Masters of Business Administration
University of Illinois
March 2023 - Current
Doctor of Physical Therapy
University of New England
Magnum Cum Laude [GPA: 3.77]
2012 - 2015
Bachelor of Science in Health Studies
Boston University
2007 - 2011
Certifications
American Academy of Manipulative Therapy
University of Illinois
January 2016 - Current
BLS/CPR for Healthcare Providers
American Heart Association
December 2021 - December 2023
Work Experience
Project Manager
United Healthcare, Consumer Resolution Center [October 2022 - Current]
Currently undergoing Chief of Staff mentoring with the Director of Strategy since April 2023, which involves learning and completing Executive Reporting, Quarterly Business Reviews, Monthly Close, Town Hall presentations, and Business/Capital Planning.
Support the Specialized Support Team and Daily Leadership Operational Call on development of business strategy, conducting data analysis to guide strategies and investigate trends, drive solutions to complex problems, and utilize proven methodologies in project and change management to support initiatives.
Facilitate activities to advance and support executive leadership, including prompt action item tracking, developing and creating internal meeting materials.
Collaborate cross departmentally to manage risk and mitigation, project progress and issue resolution efforts.
Help identify solutions to non-standard requests and problems through critical thinking and superior Microsoft Word skills.
Clinical Review Coordinator
Optum / NaviHealth [September 2021 - October 2022]
Fast-pasted environment that involves critical thinking and the ability to review patient’s clinical information holistically.
Follow Medicare guidelines as a clinical reviewer to authorize or deny transition to a skilled level of care.
Meet or exceed business service-level agreements while maintaining the highest degree of professionalism.
Collaborate with multiple departments and all types of healthcare providers.
Perform clinical audits to improve quality standards, outcome, and performance.
Physical Therapist, DPT
Various Settings [May 2015 - August 2019]
Evaluate, develop, implement, and modify patient treatment plans according to the patient’s need in a multitude of settings including outpatient orthopedics, inpatient SNF, ICU, acute care, and subacute rehabilitation within a multi-disciplinary approach.
Serve as an educator of patients, families, students, coworkers and self.
Provide patient care, development of discipline specific therapy services and design of program delivery.
Lead students and new graduates in a training program to become licensed therapists.
Designed and successfully implemented programs such as: Vestibular and Concussion Rehabilitation, Worker’s Comp Return to Work, A Matter of Balance.
Participated in community service through WEIO & Ice Alaska.
Assisted in business marketing and corporate strategy to improve healthcare experience.
Perform quality chart audits for JCAHO certification.
Graduate Tutor & Assistantship
University of New England [January 2014 - May 2015]
Provide supportive opportunities for students to interact with course material in new and creative ways.
Develop awareness in others’ learning preferences while encouraging intellectual growth.
Teach graduate students in a wide range of medical subject matters from kinesiology to gross anatomy.
Management of the physical therapy department’s curriculum mapping and clinical education tracking software.
Assist with scheduling prospective student applicant interviews.
QAI Data Coordinator
Harbor Health Services [June 2011 - August 2012]
Perform data audits, conduct QA and functional testing, and comply with quality improvement processes.
Adhere to all standard operating procedures for receiving and sending data and processing data to customer’s specifications.
Manage data processing instructions and work with production team members to meet project objectives and requirements.
Liaison with internal and external clients to gather and process data.
Data Entry Manager
Dr. Diana Cheng [March 2009 - May 2012]
Capture data into excel in a timely and accurate manner.
Create accurate spreadsheets and audio transcriptions of case studies.
Ability to hand additional duties such as scheduling interviews and recording audio.
Perform routine clerical and data entry functions.
Lead IT Support Specialist
Boston University [December 2007 - May 2011]
Triage incidents and service requests on the phone, via email, or in-person.
Ability to cover a broad range of situations including IS&T services, software and hardware support, account access and troubleshooting.
Supervised multi-media audio-visual software such as Echo360 and Met-meet programs.
Provide technical support with ACS, UNIX, SAS, Web-based mail, and scanning issues.
Honors & Awards
Outstanding Student Department Service Award
University of New England - May 2015
In recognition of service contributions to the Department of Physical Therapy.
Outstanding Student Clinical Performance Award
University of New England - May 2015
In recognition of the best overall clinical performance in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.
Distinguished Scholar Award
University of New England - May 2015
The reward acknowledges an outstanding student scholarly research project or case report. Exemplifies a steadfast commitment to evidence-based practice, critical inquiry, analytical thought, and excellence in scientific writing at the University of New England.
Outstanding Student Award
University of New England - May 2015
In recognition of the student who has outperformed all other students for the graduating class of 2015 in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.
APTA Next Conference Abstract Special Recognition
American Physical Therapy Association - March 2015
Chosen abstract amongst over 100+ applicants that best represent exemplary contribution to science.
Interprofessional Honors Distinction
University of New England - 2014 & 2015
Academic recognition for participating in and demonstrating meaningful interprofessional knowledge and skills for medical practice.
Leadership & Service
Owner
A Mother's Heart LLC [September 2018 - Current]
Started a DBA called Oleo, manufacturing and selling health and beauty products, including homemade body butters and herbal salves using all natural ingredients derived from plants. In 2020, started a small, family-owned microgreens urban farm. Currently participate in our community Black Hills Farmer’s Market.
Founder
Service Learning and Education [September 2012 - May 2015]
Founded the project ”Homeless Needs Assessment”, a program that gathered data to provide meaningful assistance to the homeless population. Developed extensive analytic methods through interprofessional collaboration and varying research methods, including interviews and case studies.
Executive Team Leader
Interprofessional Health Equity Initiative [October 2014 - May 2015]
Lead a group of health professionals in designing and implementing a unique initiative to provide accessible quality healthcare services in an underserved population.
Team Leader
Clarion Competition [January 2014 - December 2014]
Utilized intensive research methods to create and refine a strategic plan with the goal of improving care for those with congestive heart failure. Analysis of randomized control studies, systematic reviews, case studies and more. Developed treatment protocol. Presented at a national conference and won silver medal.
Research & Publications
Journal of Women's Health Physical Therapy [Vol 40-1, January to April 2016 Edition]
"Physical Therapy Management of a Patient with Guillian-Barre Syndrome During and After Pregnancy: A Case Report"
Successfully conducted a case study that involved following a patient for 12 weeks in their outpatient care for which I was the primary treating therapist.
Accepted and published in the Journal of Women’s Health Physical Therapy.
Presented this case study at the APTA NEXT Conference and Exposition in June 2016 with over 20,000+ digital downloads at the University of New England.
DigitalUNE (DUNE) Publication [December 2014 - Current]
University of New England
"Giving the Homeless Population a Chance to Become Healthier: An Initial Needs Assessment of the Homeless Population of Portland, Maine"
Mini-grant funding allowed successful completion of this project to provide structured care for the homeless population.
Over 5,000+ downloads of this research report at the University of New England.