Alix Gustafson
Philadelphia,PA
Summary
High-performing Research Analyst with a passion for Public Health. Nine years of experience impacting organizational outcomes through critical thinking and strategy development. Confident in ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to solve complex, high-stakes problems. Committed to continuous improvement and contributing to team success.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Program Analyst of Integrated And Complex Care
Community Behavioral Health
03.2022 - Current
- Department and Program Strategy Development - Conducting biannual planning process for Integrated Care Complex Care (ICCC) Department identifying and ensuring alignment across the department, programs, teams, and projects with strategic business objectives. Leveraging research, evaluation, and best practices from the field (e.g., behavioral health, public health) to inform the implementation and impact measurement of strategies and processes
- Policy and Program Analysis - Strategically assessing current policies and programmatic procedures throughout ICCC department by Incorporating research, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement tools to evaluate operational and program performance
- Research Management and Analysis - Assessed community needs by conducting provider and member survey in CBH residential drug and alcohol provider network regarding tobacco use treatment knowledge and attitudes, evaluated themes and identified needs, and wrote up findings to present to the provider network and executive committee
- Design, Implementation, and Monitoring of Department-Wide Evaluations and Projects - Conducting analyses of program data and providing guidance to program managers, project officers, contractors, and staff. Develop and implement systems and methods for collection, analysis, and reporting evaluation and program data. Design, implement, review, and track programs and long-term strategic plans
- Communication and Dissemination - Preparing reports and recommendations regarding optimizing systems, procedures, and processes, evaluating operational and program effectiveness, developing solutions to improve, addressing performance issues, or publicizing new incentives to internal and external stakeholders
Lead Research and Operations Analyst
Community Behavioral Health
11.2021 - 03.2022
- Program and Intervention Strategy - Planned, developed, and implemented support for interventions, projects, workgroups, and initiatives related to integrated care. Ensured alignment with strategic initiatives and performance metrics.
- Program Analysis - Systematically collected, analyzed and utilized the information to answer questions about integrated care interventions assessing their effectiveness and efficiency.
- Qualitative Research Study Design and Analysis - Assessed community needs by conducting qualitative semi-structured interviews with key informants regarding diabetes care in the Asian language-speaking community, assisted in evaluating themes and identified needs and wrote up findings to present internally with CBH.
- Data and Literature Analysis - Systematically applied statistical and quality improvement techniques to describe and illustrate, condense and recap, and evaluate data. Conducted literature reviews on best practices to inform intervention development
- Intervention Design and Management - Designed, implemented, reviewed, assessed, and tracked interventions and long-term strategic plans. Created and managed data requests and reports.
Research Center Program Manager
University Of Pennsylvania
12.2020 - 09.2021
- Research Center Strategy Development - Conducted annual planning process for the Center for Addiction Medicine and Policy identifying and ensuring strategic business objectives. Leveraging research, evaluation, and best practices from the field (e.g., addiction medicine, behavioral health, public health) to inform the implementation and impact measurement of strategies and processes. Communicated progress, needs, and updates to company executives and board members.
- Grant and Research Study Management - Day-to-day management of complex projects conducted with collaborators both internal and external to Penn. Tracked and monitored project progress, timelines, and all relevant materials. Responsible for coordinating grant applications.
- Study Development and Implementation - Leadership role in developing study protocols, managing the detailed operations of projects, and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data. Managed IRB protocols, and ensured that studies/research were conducted safely and according to protocol. Provided supervision to educators and teams conducting the study/interventions.
- Academic Writing and Presenting - Leadership role in writing grants, manuscripts, and presentations. Significant contributions to presentations and manuscripts, including drafting/editing manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journals and dissemination.
- Project Management - Designed, implemented, reviewed, and tracked complex and varying individual goal plans and progress. Managed projects from start to finish with focus, organization, persistence, and flexibility.
- Dissemination and Community Relationship Building - Developed proposals, policy briefs, and literature reviews. Primary role in other dissemination activities related to project findings. Cultivated close relationships with community partner organizations, and collaborated with peers from other Universities and funding agencies.
Research Coordinator
University Of Pennsylvania
09.2020 - 10.2021
- Qualitative Analysis - Led codebook development and coding process and evaluation for a team of five. First authorship and multiple abstract and presentation submissions on Specialist and Patient Perspectives on Strategies to Improve Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Among Persons Living with Psoriatic Disease
- Research Study Design and Management - Integral participant in all parts of the research project including conducting phone interviews with physicians and patients, codebook development, coding, analysis interpretation, writing, and editing. Developed study protocol, database set up and management, managed recordings and summary sheets, assisted in interview materials creation, and schedule coordination
- Academic Writing and Presenting - Leadership role in multiple presentations and manuscripts, including drafting/editing manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journals and dissemination.
Public Health Policy Analyst Intern
Department Of Behavioral Health
06.2020 - 12.2020
- Policy Analysis - Conducted and presented literature reviews on emerging trends and public health challenges and best practices in advancing population health approaches to behavioral healthcare including maternal behavioral health, social determinants of health, and referral platforms and screening tools
- Qualitative Research Management and Analysis - Assessed community needs by conducting qualitative semi-structured interviews with key informants, assisted in evaluating themes and identified needs, and wrote up findings to present internally with CBH
- Created Written Deliverables - Created deliverables on needs assessment for developing clinical guidelines on maternal behavioral health for providers in the Community Behavioral Health network. Created policy briefs on integrating innovative ways for the Department to respond to social determinants of health
- Internal and External Partner Collaboration - Communicated regularly with the Department of Public Health, Public Health Management Corporation, academic partners, and area health systems. Participated in the Maternal Behavioral Health Needs Assessment Work Group with executive-level city staff.
Graduate Research Assistant
University Of Pennsylvania
05.2019 - 12.2020
- Research Analysis and Academic Writing- Drafted and edited multiple academic papers, submissions, IRBs, and abstracts for conferences.
- Study Design and Management - Collaborated on clear and concise plans to execute projects and monitor project progress. Communicated expectations, plans, and progress to team and collaborators including city and non-profit partners. Contributed to developing research strategy and study protocols
- Evidence Gathering and Management - Conducted qualitative interviews, coding, literature reviews, and qualitative and quantitative analyses. Maintained internal spreadsheets and documents. Ensured research was conducted safely and according to protocol, managed IRB applications, and managed data on HIPAA-compliant platforms.
Assistant Program Manager
Project HOME
05.2019 - 11.2019
- Analytical & Creative Problem Solving - Worked with clients to address their everyday challenges as well as navigate complex logistic, medical, personal, and systematic systems and challenges. Managed waitlist and new admissions. Worked closely with Outreach, Office of Homeless Services, Philadelphia Housing Authority & many others. Orchestrated smooth and efficient program development by collaborating cross-functionally across the organization
- Program Evaluation and Management - Monitored the performance outcomes and goals to ensure that progress was being made and any necessary corrective action was implemented. Analyzed housing placement processes and made recommendations for streamlining and making placements accessible
- Data Evaluation and Monitoring - Collected and reviewed program data to ensure effective management of required documentation for City reporting specifically, Web-Focus, and Outreach Focus lists, as well as, Project HOME database (ETO) and other requests as needed. Assured the accuracy of data collection and reporting of program statistics and outcomes
- Managed & Oversaw Site Data Entry & Reports - Ensured updated spreadsheets related to outcome objectives tracked, identified recommendations & outcomes. Generated and submitted monthly, quarterly and annual reports on site status to organizational & city entities.
- Decisive Leadership - Quickly assessed unexpected threatening situations and communicated in a level-headed manner, ensuring the safety and emotional stability of those involved. Managing crises on-site and over the phone when on call every fourth week. Assisted in ongoing direction & leadership for program operations. Oversaw team meetings, support staff supervision, and scheduling. Set clear expectations and reviewed progress with the team regularly
- Project Management - Designed, implemented, reviewed, and tracked complex and varying individual goal plans and progress. Managed projects from start to finish with focus, organization, persistence, and flexibility
- Staff Supervision - Developed and executed guidelines and orientation for interns, volunteers, and support staff. Directly supervised 4 master of social work students and 9 occupational therapy students. Trained and oriented new staff and interns. On-call for crisis management every third week. Set clear expectations and expertly guided supervisees through challenging circumstances. Created and maintained an instructional manual for Case Management, the central access point for current resources, organized the site's hard drive, and improved communication documents & systems. Founding member of Project HOME frontline resource management & internal documentation improvement groups
- Skilled Interpersonal Communication - Built strong professional relationships working closely with individuals facing various immediate challenges to address needs in a truly client-centered way. Accomplished in delivering difficult conversations in a compassionate, trauma-informed, therapeutic manner. Frequent crisis prevention and intervention. Able to expertly deliver difficult information to stakeholders using tact and maintaining composure
- Interdisciplinary Teamwork and Community Partner Collaboration - Worked closely with a treatment team including psychiatrists, physicians nurses, social workers, and recreational therapists. Advocated for residents as a community liaison. Collaborated with the treatment team and other providers to ensure continuity of care. Frequent, fast-paced communication with outside treatment team members and organizations.
Senior Project Manager
Project HOME
10.2017 - 05.2019
Project Manager
Project HOME
01.2017 - 10.2017
Project Manager
Quality Care Options
10.2015 - 01.2017
- Maintained Quality Documentation Standards - Upheld Joint Commission Certified documentation standards across various locations. Executed treatment plans by working closely with clients with various mental health concerns
- Skilled Communication - Strong coordination skills with the ability to work across multiple departments, stakeholder organizations, and the public to implement objectives. Able to expertly deliver difficult information to clients using tact and maintaining composure
- Flexible & Adaptable Collaboration - Worked in diverse settings, with a diverse clientele and interdisciplinary teams of varying roles and education levels.
Project Manager
Andrew Residence
09.2013 - 07.2015
- Analytical & Creative Problem Solving - Worked with clients to address their everyday challenges as well as navigate complex health and social systems. Garnered an in-depth and critical understanding of systematic and organizational challenges facing individuals with chronic serious mental illness
- Decisive Leadership - Managed site rotating weekends as Person In Charge. Managed staff, delegated tasks, was first to respond to crises and reported to the supervisor on call. Trained new employees to case manager, mental health worker, and floor duties
- Project Management - Designed, implemented, reviewed, and tracked complex and varying individual goal plans and progress. Managed projects from start to finish with focus, organization, persistence, and flexibility
- Written & Verbal Communication - Assessed & communicated residents' mental health status to the treatment team and outside organizations through extensive documentation and verbal communication
- Interdisciplinary Teamwork and Community Partner Collaboration - Worked closely with a treatment team including psychiatrists, physicians nurses, social workers, and recreational therapists.
Education
Master of Arts - Public Health
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA12.2020
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology of Health, Medicine, And The Body
Suffolk University
Boston, MASkills
- Analytical Thinking and Solutions Oriented Systems Thinking
- Written and Verbal Communication
- Leadership and Management
- Organization & Time Management
- Flexibility and Adaptability
- Research Tools & Approaches
- Study Design & Evaluation
- Program Design & Evaluation
- Quality Improvement Tools & Approaches
- Technical Writing
- Data Management
- Project Management Tools & Approaches
Timeline
Program Analyst of Integrated And Complex Care
Community Behavioral Health
03.2022 - Current
Lead Research and Operations Analyst
Community Behavioral Health
11.2021 - 03.2022
Research Center Program Manager
University Of Pennsylvania
12.2020 - 09.2021
Research Coordinator
University Of Pennsylvania
09.2020 - 10.2021
Public Health Policy Analyst Intern
Department Of Behavioral Health
06.2020 - 12.2020
Graduate Research Assistant
University Of Pennsylvania
05.2019 - 12.2020
Assistant Program Manager
Project HOME
05.2019 - 11.2019
Senior Project Manager
Project HOME
10.2017 - 05.2019
Project Manager
Project HOME
01.2017 - 10.2017
Project Manager
Quality Care Options
10.2015 - 01.2017
Project Manager
Andrew Residence
09.2013 - 07.2015
Master of Arts - Public Health
University of Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology of Health, Medicine, And The Body
Suffolk University