Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

Marissa McHale

Moscow,PA

Summary

Driven by a passion for healthcare and volunteerism, I've honed my skills in medical equipment operation and effective communication through diverse roles, including a notable position at Geisinger Health Systems. My achievements include raising over $6,000 for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and spearheading patient care initiatives, demonstrating my commitment to impactful service and patient advocacy.

Overview

10
10
years of professional experience

Work History

Leadership Team Member (Volunteer)

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Scranton, PA
02.2019 - Current
  • Organize and host events, construct a fundraising website, and engage in physical and virtual charity solicitation for a cause close to my heart.
  • Raised $6,237.00 individually over six years.
  • Network, communicate, and create business with local restaurants to hold 'Dine to Donate' nights.
  • Speak at team meetings about personal experiences, and tips for new members for success.
  • Educate others about where donations go, how they are used to benefit patients, and the mission of LLS.
  • Create and maintain an effective team environment through collaboration and communication.

HELP Program Volunteer in PACU

Geisinger Health Systems
Wilkes-Barre, PA
05.2021 - 06.2024
  • In the PACU, I prevented delirium in the elderly via the 'Hospital Elderly Life Program.' To do so, I ambulated patients, retrieved sensory aids, hydrated them, and stimulated their minds through crosswords or other means.
  • I completed incentive spirometer exercises with patients ten times an hour to prevent any post-op pneumonia.
  • I collaborated with the nurses and physicians for the benefit of the patient. For example, I’d calculate each patient’s spirometer goal, complete those exercises, and then report the numbers to the nurse for charting purposes.
  • Report any symptom changes seen with patients to the appropriate nurse.
  • After each shift, I documented patient reports for that day.
  • I advocated for patients by calling their families in the chart, educating them on delirium prevention, and asking them to bring sensory aids to the hospital (if able) so I could assist the patient.
  • I was nominated for a Sunflower Award by an observing physician, was chosen to train new students in the PACU, and conducted lectures on medical device education and patient education with physicians and healthcare staff for new volunteers in conference rooms.
  • I learned through observation and shadowing of anesthesiologists; I gained cognizance of open surgeries and cardiac arrests. One of my best memories was performing a Doppler ultrasound on a patient’s extremities to find a pedal pulse!

Nurse's Aide

Private Duty Home Care
Taylor, PA
06.2022 - 04.2024
  • I cared for a 92-year-old dementia patient by means of bathing, mobility, voiding, mental stimulation, and emotional support.
  • I checked her medications, made sure she took them at the proper times, implemented leg exercises for strength, and took vital signs, such as blood sugar and blood pressure.
  • I communicated with the head nurse regarding medication issues. For example, if the patient’s blood pressure I took was too low, the LPN on duty would instruct me to hold a BP medication when made aware.
  • Supplied, collected and emptied patient bedpans on frequent basis.
  • Exhibited compassionate care and communication regarding issues surrounding death and dying.
  • After the end of each shift, I provided daily patient documentation and addressed any mental or physical symptom changes to the head nurse.

Graduate Student Researcher

Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine - Scranton
Scranton, PA
04.2021 - 06.2021
  • I, along with three other colleagues, performed a systematic review of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) and their promising role in neuroplasticity.
  • I enjoyed learning about such a complex topic and the positive impact these external mechanistic devices have on cognitive disorders like ADHD, and neural rehabilitation, such as stroke patients and those with spinal cord injuries.
  • We found that BCI aids in neuroplasticity by sending signals to areas of the brain that have been injured or impacted by the conditions listed above.
  • We presented our findings to our professors, TAs, and colleagues while answering all questions presented.

Graduate Student Researcher

Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine - Scranton
Scranton , PA
10.2020 - 03.2021
  • My colleagues and I tried to elucidate the relationship between the perceived unmet need for mental health treatment and suicidality in those with comorbid substance use disorder and major depressive episodes.
  • Performed a secondary data analysis with data from the NSDUH. This was followed by a logistic regression in SPSS for the examination of suicidality in different population characteristics.
  • Results yielded an increase in suicidality in certain subpopulations. There was a correlation between a perceived unmet treatment need, alcohol consumption, a major depressive episode, and insurance coverage for a lack of comprehensive mental health treatment in comorbid disorders.

Call Center Supervisor

John Carroll University
University Heights, OH
09.2017 - 05.2019
  • Before being promoted to supervisor, I answered calls and spoke with potential students and their families at the JCU call center.
  • Overlooked workers on phone calls and answered workers' questions during a 4–5-hour shift.
  • I thought quickly on my feet and provided solutions when callers were faced with problems.
  • I communicated with the students' parents directly, where I would often diffuse frustration through listening, patience, and conflict resolution.
  • I met with workers and spoke to them privately about personal improvement and growth.
  • Recruited and trained new employees to meet job requirements.
  • Answered, screened and processed high volume of calls daily with call management system and web-based communications.

Pre-Medicine Society Event Coordinator

John Carroll University
Cleveland, OH
01.2015 - 05.2019
  • Provided resources through PowerPoint presentations in an auditorium filled with pre-medical students.
  • Organized and delivered MCAT jeopardies, physician panels, mock interviews, and more alongside the other executive board members.
  • I learned how to collaborate alongside a team of leaders and find commonalities with others, which yielded support through my pre-med journey.

Student Volunteer

University Hospitals of Cleveland
Cleveland, OH
09.2017 - 03.2019
  • I volunteered in the pediatric oncology unit by making rounds, sitting with patients for emotional support, coloring and playing with children, and helping ease their minds during a 2-hour shift from 6 to 8 p.m. once a week.
  • Sanitized and organized playroom to maintain proper health outcomes for patients.
  • Documented what patients I saw, and the activities I conducted throughout each shift.
  • Collaborated with nurses and doctors and reported any patient changes seen throughout my shift.

Shadowing Student

St. Luke’s University Health Network
Bethlehem, PA
07.2017 - 08.2017
  • Made rounds with a hospice physician at a hospice house and a hospital every morning from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., five days a week.
  • I participated in an interdisciplinary group meeting each morning to discuss patient care plans.
  • Gained insight into the daily operations of a hospital or clinic environment.
  • Maintained accurate records of observations made while shadowing doctors or nurses.
  • I was able to see the beauty of patient desires coming to a compromise with medical considerations.
  • I witnessed the importance of fulfilling patient wishes in hospice care, and I viewed medicine through a different lens aside from solely curing diseases; I learned about symptom management.
  • Shared with patients, held their hands, and was present during one of the most meaningful and vulnerable stages of their lives.

Shadowing Student

St. Luke’s University Health Network
Bethlehem, PA
06.2017 - 08.2017
  • I shadowed a cardiologist who was my role model and introduced me to medicine and patient encounters.
  • Observed rounds and patient visits in the hospital and office settings 5 days a week from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day.
  • Observed ultrasounds and their findings, catheterizations in interventional cardiology, echocardiograms, and more.
  • Maintained accurate records of observations made while shadowing doctors or nurses.
  • Maintained positive working relationship with fellow staff and management.

Education

Master of Science - Biomedical Sciences

Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Scranton, PA
09-2021

Bachelor of Science - Psychology

John Carroll University
Cleveland Heights
05-2020

Skills

  • Documentation accuracy
  • Post-anesthesia monitoring
  • Medical terminology
  • Resourcefulness and initiative
  • Patient care assistance
  • Interpersonal and effective communication skills
  • Vital signs measurement
  • Problem-solving aptitude
  • Medical team collaboration
  • Dementia and Alzheimer's care
  • Empathy and understanding
  • Medical equipment operation

Affiliations

  • Singing; Cantor and choir member at my local church
  • Teaching; Youth catechist to K-8 at my local church
  • Painting and drawing
  • Reading

Timeline

Nurse's Aide

Private Duty Home Care
06.2022 - 04.2024

HELP Program Volunteer in PACU

Geisinger Health Systems
05.2021 - 06.2024

Graduate Student Researcher

Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine - Scranton
04.2021 - 06.2021

Graduate Student Researcher

Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine - Scranton
10.2020 - 03.2021

Leadership Team Member (Volunteer)

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
02.2019 - Current

Call Center Supervisor

John Carroll University
09.2017 - 05.2019

Student Volunteer

University Hospitals of Cleveland
09.2017 - 03.2019

Shadowing Student

St. Luke’s University Health Network
07.2017 - 08.2017

Shadowing Student

St. Luke’s University Health Network
06.2017 - 08.2017

Pre-Medicine Society Event Coordinator

John Carroll University
01.2015 - 05.2019

Master of Science - Biomedical Sciences

Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine

Bachelor of Science - Psychology

John Carroll University

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Marissa McHale