Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Additional Information
Timeline
Generic

Maria I Ruiz

Athens,GA

Summary

To assume a professional position in a progressive and innovative setting where a multiplicity of transferable skills acquired in career may be applied to creatively deliver results. Dependable professional offering a solid background in customer service, volunteer coordination and program management. Accomplished in advancing organizational goals through skill-based volunteer engagement.

Overview

38
38
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

A Course in Miracles - Facilitator Volunteer

On Going Self-Initiative
01.1990 - Current
  • Facilitated weekly, ongoing study group meetings on A Course in Miracles (ACIM), a self-study course to achieve inner peace, with average attendance of 30-40 students.
  • In 2022, created and launched website for promoting successfully ACIM study group online which started in Fall 2022 with over 25+ registered students and concluded in June 2022.
  • Used diverse teaching methodology and motivational approaches to engage participation in group sharing and discussion.
  • By popular demand, ACIM Study Group, will resume in Fall of 2023.

Long-term Volunteer Abroad

Mata Amritanandamayi Math (MAM)
03.2007 - 07.2020
  • Auspiciously relocated abroad in Kerala, India to study and volunteer.
  • Enriched knowledge of ancient philosophies, traditional healthcare and personal growth practices by participating in classes in meditation, yoga, and healthcare service.
  • Competently assumed managerial volunteer positions for Information Center and Ayurveda Office, which significantly improved usage of services by 80% and spearheaded innovations which digitized their databases and financial transactions.

Patient Support - Coordinator Volunteer

MAM, Long Term Volunteer
01.2016 - 01.2017
  • Coordinated healthcare support program for terminally ill resident patients that ensured assistance with personal care, medicine administration, provided bystander for hospital visits, and ensured 24 hour bedside companions.
  • Recruited and enlisted over 20 residents as volunteer companions in rotating schedule for daily support care and night-time companionship.
  • Managed and tracked volunteer hours and progress to support accurate documentation
  • Prepared and posted emergency protocols, empowered volunteers with basic information on patients' needs and interventions in consultation with MAM's clinic head nurse.
  • Collaborated with other departments to maximize impact of volunteer efforts.

Ayurveda Office - Manager Volunteer

MAM, Long-Term Volunteer
08.2013 - 09.2016
  • Efficiently managed Ayurveda Office of MAM's Ayurveda Center which focused on implementing holistic lifestyle interventions and natural treatments, therapies and remedies to provide harmony among physical body, mind, spirit complex and its world.
  • Launched successful internal publicity and marketing campaign through multiple strategic interventions that increased patient consultation visitations and treatments by 80% in 2013 and created patient treatments waiting list by 2014 onwards.
  • Established workflow processes, monitored daily productivity, and implemented modifications to improve overall performance of personnel
  • Tenaciously standardized archaic medical records prior to converting them digitally, updated and collapsed existing databases with help of programmer consultant which expedited effectively patient healthcare and follow-up.
  • Managed influx of inquiries received via phone calls, emails, and in-person.
  • Built resourceful and dynamic office team of 8 rotating volunteers, managed work schedules, facilitated team meetings increasing quality of customer service, volunteer retention, and patient satisfaction.

Information Center - Manager Volunteer

MAM, Long-Term Volunteer
01.2007 - 01.2012
  • Over a period of 5 years, masterfully managed the operations of a multi-service, multi-lingual public relations Information Center that gave the first contact and welcome to a constant influx of hundreds of visitors from all over the world visiting the MAM's International Headquarters, a reputable, non-profit, charitable, and spiritual organization in Kerala, South India.
  • Recruited, trained, and supervised international and multilingual team of 19 volunteers that collaborated in the management and delivery of information and services including a book store, classes and workshop registrations, multi-lingual welcome orientation and site tours, appointment scheduling, posting of announcements and notifications, and overall troubleshooting.
  • Conceptualized and implemented skillfully over half a dozen job descriptions, large communication board, useful manuals for office policy and procedure, welcome orientation presentation & Tour Manual for visitors, and an index of MAM's humanitarian initiatives in India and abroad. Facilitated resources to digitize databases and transactions for better accountability and efficiency.
  • Applied strong leadership talents and problem-solving skills to maintain team efficiency and organize workflows.

Special Education Complaint/Resolution Specialist

Massachusetts Department Of Education
08.2004 - 02.2007
  • Competently managed an active caseload (25 cases per month) of parent-driven complaints alleging legal violations to their child's Individual Education Plans (IEP) in special education.
  • Met time-sensitive responses after investigations achieving an over 90% rate of complaints resolution a month.

EMS Program Planner

Massachusetts Department of Public Health
01.2000 - 01.2002
  • Collaborated with statewide coalitions of EMS providers seeking to improve training standards for EMTs and paramedics.
  • Participated in brainstorming sessions, review of existing plans, incorporated proposed language to upgrade existing standards for competency to raise knowledge and capabilities of EMT and paramedics.

Chief Leader and Event Organizer Volunteer

MA Center, Boston Branch
01.1990 - 01.2001
  • Primary representative, leader and organizer volunteer for USA national MA Center and its activities in Boston Metro area for 16 years on part-time basis.
  • Celebrated and facilitated weekly gatherings for personal practices of prayer, meditation, and singing, community solidarity and service to needy - prepared meals for shelters, books for inmates and fundraising concerts, recitals and yard sales.
  • Launched vibrant marketing strategies of mass communication (broadcasting, publishing, and internet) announcing, promoting, and engaging public participation in MA Center's annual events in Boston, MA.
  • Attracted attendance and participation of rapidly growing audience starting with 500 attendees in 90's and culminating in sweeping crowds of up to 10,000 people by 2006.

Health Prevention Program Director

Whittier Street Health Center
01.1998 - 01.1999
  • Established and supervised daily operations of smoking cessation program and HIV health prevention program serving 25 inner-city youth and adults by mentoring two-youth workers, documenting activities, and reporting program outcomes to health center board of directors and funding agency.
  • Recruited and trained staff and volunteers to upgrade collective team skills.
  • Provided ongoing direction and leadership for program operations.

Drug Prevention Specialist

Catholic Charities/Cardinal Cushing Center
01.1996 - 01.1997
  • Implemented a drug prevention afterschool program for 30 inner-city young adolescents with learning and recreational activities for greater self-esteem, problem solving skills, and better choices for wellbeing.
  • Developed and maintained accurate records of programs and services as well as prepared reports as required.

Statewide Trainer of Housing Managers

Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency
01.1992 - 01.1994
  • Traveled throughout state of Massachusetts to skillfully deliver full and half-day training sessions addressing topics such as substance abuse prevention, co-dependency, stress management and dealing with mental illness in housing to state regional groups of 20 mixed-income housing managers approximately per session.
  • Collected presentation evaluations using 1-5 scale from trainees that rated 90% of training presentation as highly helpful.
  • Developed "Training of Trainers Manual on ADA Regulations in Housing", which secured funding for national training of trainers initiative.

Public Schools Monitor and Compliance Officer

Massachusetts Department Of Education
01.1986 - 01.1988
  • Effectively launched a monitoring and evaluation initiative of Boston Public Schools Bilingual Special Education Program to ensure that programs, initiatives, and projects met legal requirement as stipulated by state and federal laws.


Education

Graduate - Special Education & Community Personnel

Northeastern University
Boston, MA
1980

Master of Science - Public Health Education

University of Puerto Rico (UPR)
San Juan, Puerto Rico
06.1976

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology, Special Education and Sociology

University of Sacred Heart, School of Psychology
Santurce, PR
1974

Skills

  • Program Management
  • Training Delivery/Group Facilitation
  • Effective Leadership
  • Organizer/Volunteer Coordination
  • Patient support and advocacy
  • Patient services coordination
  • Customer service

Certification

American Red Cross Association

Online Course:

  • CPR Certification Adult, Child, and Baby First Aid//CPR/AED 2022 -2024

Loving Relationships Training (LRT), LLC

Washington, CT:

  • Rebirthing Breath and Supportive Counseling, Certification 1985
  • International Seminar Leadership Program by LRT, LLC. Greece and Spain, (ISLP,) Certification 1989
  • Coaching Intensive Certification 2003


Additional Information

Basic Computer Skills

  • Adobe Pro
  • Microsoft 365
  • Google Workspace (Google Docs, Drive and Google Sheets)
  • Knowledge of operating systems ( MacOS and Windows)
  • Communication platforms (Skype, Zoom, Webex and WhatsApp)
  • Able and enthusiastic about learning new technologies

Timeline

Patient Support - Coordinator Volunteer

MAM, Long Term Volunteer
01.2016 - 01.2017

Ayurveda Office - Manager Volunteer

MAM, Long-Term Volunteer
08.2013 - 09.2016

Long-term Volunteer Abroad

Mata Amritanandamayi Math (MAM)
03.2007 - 07.2020

Information Center - Manager Volunteer

MAM, Long-Term Volunteer
01.2007 - 01.2012

Special Education Complaint/Resolution Specialist

Massachusetts Department Of Education
08.2004 - 02.2007

EMS Program Planner

Massachusetts Department of Public Health
01.2000 - 01.2002

Health Prevention Program Director

Whittier Street Health Center
01.1998 - 01.1999

Drug Prevention Specialist

Catholic Charities/Cardinal Cushing Center
01.1996 - 01.1997

Statewide Trainer of Housing Managers

Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency
01.1992 - 01.1994

A Course in Miracles - Facilitator Volunteer

On Going Self-Initiative
01.1990 - Current

Chief Leader and Event Organizer Volunteer

MA Center, Boston Branch
01.1990 - 01.2001

Public Schools Monitor and Compliance Officer

Massachusetts Department Of Education
01.1986 - 01.1988

Graduate - Special Education & Community Personnel

Northeastern University

Master of Science - Public Health Education

University of Puerto Rico (UPR)

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology, Special Education and Sociology

University of Sacred Heart, School of Psychology

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Maria I Ruiz