Hali Schmelz

• Managed relationships with surrounding optometrists to acquire mutually benefiting referral programs and successful patient co-management.
• Communicated with office managers and facility teams regarding upcoming surgeries.
• Established relationships with surrounding optometrists to increase rapport and trust.
• Served as point of contact for internal and external customers and optometrists seeking support and information.
• Scheduled dinner or lunch meetings between providers, referring optometrists, and medical representatives to build trust and networks outside of the main office.
• Arranged pre-operative and post-operative appointments for surgical patients.
• Expertly managed planning, scheduling, and coordination of outpatient procedures; resolved scheduling conflicts to ensure expert patient services and satisfaction.
• Answered telephone calls to offer office information, answer questions, and direct calls to staff.
• Educated patients about surgeries and provided treatment plan documentation.
• Prepared and processed patient referrals and transfer requests.
• Managed office logistics by scheduling appointments, maintaining files and collecting payments.
• Assisted with medical coding and billing tasks.
• Performed various administrative tasks by filing, copying and faxing documents.
• Managed refractive procedures, collected payments, scheduled appointments, and worked wait list for upcoming consultations.
• Triaged patients over the phone to determine candidacy for consultation and/or verify other vision problems.
• Ordered marketing supplies for refractive surgeries, as well as medications, surgical material, and pre & post op care materials.
• Frequently traveled to the offices of surrounding optometrists to deliver marketing materials and establish a reputation as a good contact point for referrals and questions.

• Arranged pre-operative and post-operative appointments for surgical patients.
• Obtained pre-authorizations and pre-certifications ahead of scheduled surgeries.
• Expertly managed planning, scheduling, and coordination of outpatient procedures.
• Coordinated with multiple facilities to set up surgeries for 3 ophthalmic surgeons.
• Answered telephone calls to offer office information, answer questions, and direct calls to staff.
• Educated patients about surgeries and provided treatment plan documentation.
• Performed various administrative tasks by filing, copying and faxing documents.
• Assisted with medical coding and billing tasks.
• Coordinated referrals through insurance and other medical specialists and documented details in patient charts.
• Organized and maintained patient chart filing system to promote quick data finding for staff.
• Prepared and processed patient referrals and transfer requests.
• Managed office logistics by scheduling appointments, maintaining files and collecting payments.

• Assisted in the repairs of plumbing systems, components, and equipment.
• Assisted in the installation of valves, hangers, supports, and flanges inside piping systems.
• Measured, threaded, and cut materials to correct angles.
• Assisted in installation, maintenance, and repair for fixtures, water mains, natural gas, fire systems and backflow preventers.
• Independently worked on projects, while offering process coordination and cooperation with other teams.
• Supervised other students in the student work program in the plumbing department.
• Managed time sheets for students.
• Managed maintenance requests and assigned jobs to students.
• Ordered materials and tools needed for jobs. Picked up and/or assisted in delivery of said materials.
• Performed basic maintenance and repairs of plumbing systems independently.

We conducted a summer-long experiment to find a new method of measuring blight resistance in American Chestnut trees, and the findings of this test are in a published scientific article. The job duties performed during this summer internship include, but are not limited to, the following:

• maintaining orchards and greenhouses across Northwest Georgia to promote the successful growth and implementation of chestnut project, on and off-campus.
• Making scientific observations and conducting scientific experiments to evaluate accuracy of hypothesis.
• Maintaining careful and clear logs of dates, times, treatments provided, etc. to ensure most accurate results of experiment.
• Operating large power tools and landscaping equipment to maintain beauty and accessibility of orchards.
• Maintaining orchards and surrounding areas using controlled fire and other methods.
• Conducting research and staying up-to-date on recent findings in the scientific community to ensure accurate knowledge on the subject.
• Coordinating closely with team members and professors to ensure safety of team and accuracy of experiments and applications.

• Worked in team environment to maintain high levels of productivity.
• Took and followed detailed directions from others.
• Maintained tidy and organized environment to comply with cleanliness standards.
• Maintained excellent customer service and positive attitude towards guest, customers, and fellow teammates.
• Operated and maintained machinery and equipment to manage functionality and performance.
• Priced and stocked products to maintain organized inventory and stock.
• Performed maintenance and repair tasks on HVAC equipment on the college campus.
• Ordered, picked up, and delivered materials needed for projects in a timely and cost-efficient manner.
• Assisted in installation and repair of industrial HVAC units on campus.
• Managed work orders, phone calls, and time sheets for student workers in the shop.

• Berry College Dean Scholarship Recipient
• Research Project: Evaluation of an Alternative Small Stem Assay for Blight Resistance in American, Chinese, and Hybrid Chestnuts ( Castanea spp.) , We tested an alternative small stem assay (SSA) for blight resistance in chestnuts (Castanea spp.). ). Experiments with seedlings and two of the three orchard experiments showed clear differentiation between susceptible and resistant types, especially >90 days postinoculation and when the orange-colored zone of the canker was measured.
• Community Outreach Project: Little Free Pantry, Rome GA. The Rome Little Free Pantry was started by a group of Berry College students that, as a group, learned about the obstacle of food insecurity for some of Rome's population. We, as students and members of the community, chose to work on the Rome Little Free Pantry initiative to create a potential solution to this issue. Logos, graphics, video editing, and website developed by Hali Schmelz. https://sites.berry.edu/romelittlefreepantry/about-the-pantry/