Jovanté Thomas
Chicago,IL
Summary
Dedicated public health expert with a strong background in infection prevention, environmental health, and community health initiatives. Proven ability to design and implement effective health policies, lead training programs, and improve compliance in healthcare and correctional settings. Skilled at bridging data-driven strategies with hands-on community engagement to reduce health disparities, and enhance safety.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certificate
Work History
Infection Preventionist
Chicago Department of Public Health
Chicago, IL
04.2023 - Current
- Developed and rolled out customized infection control protocols for healthcare facilities, improving adherence to federal and state guidelines.
- Successfully onboarded and trained frontline personnel at 12 skilled nursing facilities in under six months, elevating standards for cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces.
- Produced detailed reports on best practices for environmental hygiene, adopted by leading experts.
Deputy Director of Environmental Services
Cook County Sheriff's Office
Chicago , IL
12.2020 - 04.2023
- Performed weekly inspections on environmental cleaning and disinfection across all 10 divisions, shared reports of any non-compliance with each divisional superintendent, provided recommendations for corrective actions, led public health trainings for detainees, and handled detainee complaints related to food safety, sanitation, and pest concerns within the jail.
- Supported HR in recruiting environmental health specialists, supervised EVS staff and CCSO pest control contractors.
- Evaluated and modified Sheriff's Office environment health policies/procedures, ensuring compliance with OSHA, EPA, and fire codes.
Surveillance Coordinator/Sexual Health Consultant
Chicago Public Schools - Office of Student Health
Chicago, IL
01.2020 - 07.2020
- Created fact sheets using 2018 Profiles and 2019 YRBS data for dissemination, followed up with principals and teachers regularly to ensure questionnaire completion, and exceeded the completion rate of Principal surveys for 323 schools by 6%
- Assisted sexual health team by conducting an in-depth health policy analysis, led facilitation group discussions for sexual health instructor training and provided sexual health expertise to help sexual health team challenge status quo
- Facilitated communication with Westat by sending tracking data biweekly.
Lead Project Specialist
Test Positive Aware Network, TPAN
Chicago , IL
02.2017 - 06.2019
- Actively enrolled over 100 black men who have sex with men (MSM) and black women ages 18 - 29 for an evidence-based youth program, trained staff on geosocial media training, and established an HCV Testing Partnership with Malcolm X College
- Collaborated with Prevention/Outreach staff to implement outreach strategies and activities that encourages participation in the program and conducted outreach events and education presentations as appropriate to the goals and objectives of the program
- Supervised other outreach specialists through geo-social media trainings, trained in narcan/naloxone administration, prepared syringe exchange supplies/services for walk-in
clients, and conducted HIV/HCV testing, counseling, and referral services in a variety of settings and ensured accurate and timely data collection, entry, and reporting for all program
related client-level data.
PrEP Navigator/M-Powerment Group Facilitator
Austin Collaborative Black Caucus (CBC) Initiative
Chicago, IL
07.2016 - 02.2017
- Facilitated HIV and prep focus groups for black men who have sex with men (MSM), recruited and enrolled over 50 black and Latino MSM for Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services, and ensured adherence to medication.
- Led educational workshops about safer sex practices such as condom usage and completed quarterly assessments and follow-ups with clients.
- Led HIV testing initiatives, counseling, and referrals in and out of Austin Health Center.
HIV Prevention Coordinator (AmeriCorps Member)
Chicago House and Social Service Agency
Chicago, IL
08.2015 - 07.2016
- Led geo-social media outreach for sexual health services and reached over 500 young men who have sex with men (YMSM), led HIV testing and counseling primarily for LGBTQ+ individuals, and led case management relations related to HIV/AIDS.
- Made referrals for HIV and PrEP care and advocated for safer sex practices.
- Supervised apprenticeship program participants through HIV test counseling trainings, led community and street outreach efforts and distributed condoms to high-risk groups throughout Chicago.
Education
Master's Degree - Public Health
University of Illinois
05.2020
Bachelor's Degree - Biological Sciences
Mississippi State University
05.2015
Associate Degree - Arts
Shelton State Community College
05.2012
Skills
- Infection Control & Outbreak Management
- Policy Development & Regulatory Compliance (OSHA, EPA, CDC)
- Data Analysis & Health Surveillance
- Training & Staff Development
- Community Outreach & Health Education
- HIV/STI Prevention & Harm Reduction
- Stakeholder Collaboration & Leadership
Certification
Certified in Infection Control (CIC), CBIC (Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.), Issued: 10/18/23, Expiration: 12/31/28, 138079
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
swipe to browse
Timeline
Infection Preventionist
Chicago Department of Public Health
04.2023 - Current
Deputy Director of Environmental Services
Cook County Sheriff's Office
12.2020 - 04.2023
Surveillance Coordinator/Sexual Health Consultant
Chicago Public Schools - Office of Student Health
01.2020 - 07.2020
Lead Project Specialist
Test Positive Aware Network, TPAN
02.2017 - 06.2019
PrEP Navigator/M-Powerment Group Facilitator
Austin Collaborative Black Caucus (CBC) Initiative
07.2016 - 02.2017
HIV Prevention Coordinator (AmeriCorps Member)
Chicago House and Social Service Agency
08.2015 - 07.2016
Master's Degree - Public Health
University of Illinois
Bachelor's Degree - Biological Sciences
Mississippi State University
Associate Degree - Arts
Shelton State Community College
References
References available upon request.
Personal Information
Date of Birth: 02/22/92
Similar Profiles
MARCUS DAVISMARCUS DAVIS
Special Projects Manager at Chicago Department of Public HealthSpecial Projects Manager at Chicago Department of Public Health
Nicole NesbittNicole Nesbitt
Public Health Nutritionist II at City of Chicago, Department of Public HealthPublic Health Nutritionist II at City of Chicago, Department of Public Health
Sneha WatarkarSneha Watarkar
Project Manager at Chicago Department of Public HealthProject Manager at Chicago Department of Public Health
Maria Lourdes CruzMaria Lourdes Cruz
Certified Pharmacy Technician at CVS CaremarkCertified Pharmacy Technician at CVS Caremark
SPURTHI PATNAMSPURTHI PATNAM
Data Analyst at Affinity Solutions, Inc.Data Analyst at Affinity Solutions, Inc.