Summary
Work History
Education
Skills
Hobbies
Timeline
Generic

Kelsey Oliver

New Orleans,LA

Summary

Access to social services, like education, is an essential stepping stone for future success; an indispensable cog in the overall machine of a healthy life. My experiences with deserving, under-served populations, along with my various studies in sociology, have ultimately led me to pursue a career heavily involved in public health and community well-being. As I have experienced both academically and through first-hand experience, individuals of all backgrounds have complex social and physical lives that affect their health as well as their current and future prospects. Thus, to me a public health career is not merely an end in itself, but rather a path through which I can be most effective, compassionate, and proactive.

Work History

Practicum Intern

Violence Prevention Institute
New Orleans, LA
05.2021 - 08.2021
  • During the entire Summer of 2021, I worked with the Violence Prevention Institute at Tulane.
  • My learning objectives included the following: differentiating between important and socially relevant types of violence through weekly learning collaboratives; communicating data on violence to different audiences within and outside of the VPI (Violence Prevention Institute); deepening understanding of measurements used in violence tracking and prevention (this was among academics, field researchers and law enforcement, among others); developing community engagement skills through organizations such as Brothers at Peace.

Volunteer Coordinator

Brothers At Peace
New Orleans, LA
05.2021 - 08.2021
  • During my practicum, I worked closely with the organization Brothers at Peace, a non-profit aiming to bring equity and equality to youth of color in New Orleans
  • Myself and my other practicum mates worked to gather donated school supplies and organize a luncheon with restaurants and other organizations in the community
  • The goal of this luncheon was to raise awareness of the program as well as feed hungry students and give them free school supplies.

Shelter Advocate

YWCA of OKC
Oklahoma City, OK
01.2016 - 10.2016
  • For about a year, I was a social worker in an emergency shelter for women and children (and occasionally men) who were in mortal danger escaping domestic violence
  • As a requirement for the position, I attended a two week long instructional seminar on the realities of domestic violence and how to act in the most trauma-informed manner possible
  • During my time there, I had an innumerable list of responsibilities, including (but not limited to): evaluating the threat level faced by potential residents (both over the phone and through in person interviews), dealing with the daily needs of residents (such as providing food and hygiene products, locating appropriate clothing, etc), documenting my every billable action with our software and updating daily paperwork on every resident, and answering the only three hotlines in the state for individuals suffering from domestic violence and sexual assault
  • I was also responsible for dispatching SANE nurses (Sexual Assault Nurse Exam) to various hospitals to complete exams on individuals who had been sexually assaulted
  • I often worked over 10-12 hour shifts at a time, and frequently gave assistance to women on what was likely the worst day of their lives
  • It was an incredibly difficult job, but one that gave me tremendous insight into working with vulnerable populations.

Volunteer

Neighbor for Neighbor
Tulsa, OK
04.2012 - 08.2017
  • This is one of my most meaningful experiences, as it has exposed me to both the population I wish to serve and the necessary cooperation between the various professions within the community medicine network
  • I have volunteered and assisted in the medical branch of NFN, as well as the dental and pharmaceutical departments.

Big Sister Volunteer

Big Brothers Big Sisters
Tulsa, OK
08.2010 - 01.2013
  • For nearly three years, I enjoyed the role of mentor for a young girl in an impoverished North Tulsa elementary school
  • Though we often played games, read books and drew silly pictures, I also worked continually to help provide her with a stable, nurturing environment in which she could thrive
  • Raised in poverty by her single, aging grandmother, my Little had every reason to be bitter at a world which had dealt her a particularly rough hand
  • However, she continually inspired me with her intelligence, positivity and quick wit
  • This experience, though emotionally difficult at times, provided me invaluable understanding of the youngest and most vulnerable members of the community I wish to serve.

Hospital Volunteer

St. Francis Children's Hospital
05.2011 - 03.2012
  • As a volunteer at the gift shop at the Children’s Hospital, I was often tasked with delivering gifts and well-wishes to the critically ill children being treated at the facility
  • Learning to interact with ailing kids was a difficult yet incredibly rewarding experience
  • However, perhaps the most transformative aspect of this experience was becoming an unexpected confidante and sympathetic ear for the many parents spending countless listless hours within the hospital’s walls
  • Their fear, heartbreak, frustration and occasional relief came pouring out as I aided in their shopping excursions
  • The more they confided, the better listener I became
  • Though I had no medical training, I realized that sometimes the most valuable gift one can bestow is to simply be available to listen and empathize with another’s grief
  • Tulsa Undergraduate Research Challenge (TURC)- Algae and Public Health:
  • This summer research project centered on the potential uses of algae as a wastewater remediation tool for areas without proper water sanitation facilities
  • I was able to integrate my previous experience working in a bacterial research lab with my newfound knowledge of algae and other microorganisms to work towards a meaningful public health project.

Volunteer

Ronald McDonald House
02.2011 - 10.2011
  • Ronald McDonald House of Tulsa provides free lodging and transportation to Saint Francis children’s hospital for families with desperately ill children being treated at the facility
  • I witnessed countless families who had left jobs, homes and often the rest of their families to be near their ailing child- an act which was only possibly through the free lodging offered through the charity
  • The sacrifices these families made- financially, emotionally, physically- to ensure their children received proper medical treatment were heartbreaking
  • Working in this facility taught me the value of patience and gentle understanding.

Research Assistant

Tulsa Undergraduate Research Challenge
Tulsa, OK
05.2012 - 08.2012
  • Algae and Public Health:
  • This summer research project centered on the potential uses of algae as a wastewater remediation tool for areas without proper water sanitation facilities. I was able to integrate my previous experience working in a bacterial research lab with my newfound knowledge of algae and other microorganisms to work towards a meaningful public health project.

Research Assistant

University Of Tulsa
Tulsa, OK
01.2012 - 05.2013
  • Focused on bacterial presence/ growth (namely that of Campylobacter) in common store-bought foods. Also emphasized public health.

Science Enrichment Volunteer

Jenks East Intermediate
Tulsa, OK
05.2012 - 05.2013
  • Helped to lead the annual pig heart and lung dissection among middle-school students at Jenks East Intermediate.

Physician Shadowing

Dr. Terry Grewe
Tulsa, OK
05.2012 - 05.2013
  • Rural Medical Experience in Drumright

Michael V’s Restaurant
02.2016 - 05.2016
  • I worked as a full-time server at this casual fine dining establishment
  • I also bartended and assisted with banquets when needed.

The Mayo Hotel
09.2014 - 03.2015
  • I was a full-, server and bartender at the restaurant in the Mayo Hotel
  • My duties were almost entirely customer service related, which helped to further my ability to multitask and gain rapport with customers.

Scrappy Scavengers Vintage Etsy Shop
08.2011 - Current
  • Own/operate my own online business, Scrappy Scavengers Vintage, selling vintage clothing and other items
  • I have participated in a variety of trade shows to promote my business, including the Vintage Tulsa Expo in February 2013
  • Http://www.etsy.com/shop/scrappyscavengersvintage

Cheap Thrills Vintage
04.2014 - 10.2014
  • I performed a variety of tasks at this popular vintage store on Cherry Street, including (but not limited to) customer service, inventory acquisition, money handling, modeling, and organizing.

Education

Master of Public Health -

Tulane University
New Orleans, LA
12.2021

Bachelor of Arts - Sociology

University of Tulsa
Tulsa, OK
12.2013

Distinguished Graduate - undefined

Jenks High School
2009

Skills

  • Community education
  • Outreach initiatives
  • Social media outreach
  • Community outreach
  • Presentation skills
  • Program support
  • Interventions understanding
  • Health education classes
  • Research abilities
  • Analytical and Critical Thinking
  • Teamwork and Collaboration
  • Prevention strategies

Hobbies

My hobbies include playing music (primarily drums and bass), blowing glass, yarn spinning/ knitting, and rug tufting.


Timeline

Practicum Intern

Violence Prevention Institute
05.2021 - 08.2021

Volunteer Coordinator

Brothers At Peace
05.2021 - 08.2021

Michael V’s Restaurant
02.2016 - 05.2016

Shelter Advocate

YWCA of OKC
01.2016 - 10.2016

The Mayo Hotel
09.2014 - 03.2015

Cheap Thrills Vintage
04.2014 - 10.2014

Research Assistant

Tulsa Undergraduate Research Challenge
05.2012 - 08.2012

Science Enrichment Volunteer

Jenks East Intermediate
05.2012 - 05.2013

Physician Shadowing

Dr. Terry Grewe
05.2012 - 05.2013

Volunteer

Neighbor for Neighbor
04.2012 - 08.2017

Research Assistant

University Of Tulsa
01.2012 - 05.2013

Scrappy Scavengers Vintage Etsy Shop
08.2011 - Current

Hospital Volunteer

St. Francis Children's Hospital
05.2011 - 03.2012

Volunteer

Ronald McDonald House
02.2011 - 10.2011

Big Sister Volunteer

Big Brothers Big Sisters
08.2010 - 01.2013

Master of Public Health -

Tulane University

Bachelor of Arts - Sociology

University of Tulsa

Distinguished Graduate - undefined

Jenks High School

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Kelsey Oliver