Michele Erickson-Johnson
Sioux Falls,USA
Summary
Senior executive with proven track record in driving growth and operational excellence. Adept at strategic planning, project management, and leveraging data to inform decisions. Strong focus on fostering team collaboration and adapting to changing business needs. Highly skilled in leadership, communication, and delivering impactful results.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Director of Genetic Laboratory Operations
Sanford Health
02.2020 - Current
- Achieved departmental goals by developing and implementing strategic plans and initiatives.
- Established data-driven decision-making processes and implemented best practices in analytics to optimize performance across the organization.
- Streamlined operations for increased efficiency with process improvements and automation.
- Led cross-functional teams to successfully launch new clinical tests, meeting deadlines and budgets.
- Met with department supervisors and provided staff support to attain organizational goals.
- Revamped operational plans to refocus staff and align processes with business objectives.
- Enhanced internal communication channels, resulting in improved information flow and decision-making processes.
- Successfully managed budgets and allocated resources to maximize productivity and profitability.
- Maintained positive customer relations by addressing problems head-on and implementing successful corrective actions.
Enterprise Director for Laboratory Quality
Sanford Health
04.2018 - 01.2024
- Collaborated with enterprise laboratory executives, medical officers, laboratory Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) directors, and administration to oversee the quality and regulatory aspects of the laboratories across the Enterprise.
- Established the first Enterprise Laboratory quality workgroup and Consulting Technologist workgroup with representatives from each market.
- Led cross functional teams in implementation of enterprise-wide policies and procedures and oversaw other enterprise-wide functional workgroups, new test development, standardization, and test utilization.
- Served as a laboratory/institutional liaison in the interpretation of federal and state regulations impacting the clinical laboratories and serve as a resource for the research laboratories.
- Participated CAP/CLIA inspections within and outside of Sanford Health.
- Implemented innovative solutions to solve complex problems, resulting in increased productivity and streamlined operations.
- Enhanced data-driven decision-making by implementing advanced analytics and reporting tools.
Section Director / General Lab Manager, Technical Supervisor & Chief Safety Officer (CSO)
Kailos Genetics, Inc.
07.2013 - 04.2018
- Transformed an NGS startup lab into a clinical lab for PGx and hereditary cancer testing in accordance with CAP/CLIA standards.
- Lead quality initiatives to successfully obtain state licensure and successfully passed inspections for Florida, Maryland, California, and Pennsylvania (2013-2018).
- Streamlined laboratory operations and laboratory quality management.
- Designed and maintained an inventory management system for purchasing laboratory supplies/reagents.
- Evaluated and purchased equipment
- Managed service contracts.
- Evaluated new genetic testing technologies and coordinated development efforts for bringing new tech and testing into the laboratory.
- Performed analysis for fixed and variable laboratory costs to determine best pricing strategies for laboratory tests.
- Designed, implemented and managed the labs QMS including inventory management, document control, audit system, QC/QA, PT ordering and review, and NCE/CAPA processes.
- Developed, reviewed and approved validation plans and summaries with the medical director oversite
- Served as Chief Safety Officer (CSO) for the company. Developed a clinical lab safety program, chemical hygiene plan, and biohazard assessment program.
- Coordinated and performed annual safety training
Development Technologist I & II
Mayo Clinic
11.2004 - 06.2013
- Researched and developed laboratory developed tests in the pathology and oncology spaces.
- Evaluated new technologies, improved existing tests, participated in research and development of new or existing tests.
- Performed advanced statistical analysis on complex data sets using appropriate statistical methods.
- Performed all studies under the rules, regulations and accreditations of CLIA, CAP, and NYS.
- Conducted comprehensive literature reviews to stay informed about recent developments in relevant fields of study, ensuring research projects were grounded in the latest academic insights.
- Contributed to the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles, showcasing key research findings and advancements in the field.
- Performed high complexity testing by preparing specimens for analysis and maintaining assay quality.
- Maintained confidentiality of all patient information to conform to HIPAA, internal, and other regulatory standards.
- Evaluated and interpreted laboratory results to determine diagnoses.
- Prepared and successfully obtained grant money for four projects through the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology (DLMP)
- Obtained two patients for work in Methods and materials for Detecting Gene Amplification and Methods and Materials for Identifying Nodular Fasciitis.
Senior Research Technologist I & II
Mayo Clinic
06.1997 - 11.2004
- Managed two different research laboratories in accordance to principal investigator oversite.
- Optimized resource allocation by creating detailed budgets and continually monitoring expenses throughout project lifecycles.
- Management of research projects and mouse colonies.
- Served as a Clinical Study coordinator for a multiple myeloma project.
- Studied regulation of cytolytic and helper T cell generation in vitro, and compared this process with regulation in skin graft rejection, graft-versus-host disease and responses to viral infections.
- Developed melanoma tetramers for potential vaccine strategies.
- Led a team of junior technologists to complete high-priority projects on time and within budget constraints.
- Conducted comprehensive literature reviews to stay informed about recent developments in relevant fields of study, ensuring research projects were grounded in the latest academic insights.
- Developed and executed detailed project timelines, ensuring all milestones were met or exceeded by coordinating team efforts and anticipating potential roadblocks.
- Contributed to the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles, showcasing key research findings and advancements in the field.
- Performed high complexity testing by preparing specimens for analysis and maintaining assay quality.
- Collaborated with other healthcare professionals to develop new procedures and protocols.
- Maintained confidentiality of all patient information to conform to HIPAA, internal, and other regulatory standards.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Agriculture (Microbiology), Biotechnology and Chemistry
North Dakota State University
Fargo, ND01-1995
Master of Science - Microbiology (Immunology/Parasitology)
North Dakota State University
Fargo, ND01-1997
Ph.D. - Healthcare Administration/Health Science (Concentration in Molecular Pathology)
Trident University International
Cypress, CA01-2015
Skills
- Collaborative leadership
- Team management & Team Building
- Policy development & Implementation
- Stakeholder relations
- Strategic planning and goal setting
- Rules and regulations
- Staff development
- Legal and regulatory compliance
- Creativity and innovation
- Decision-making
- Process improvement
Affiliations
- Member of American Association for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- Member of Association of Molecular Pathology (AMP)
- Member of American board of Bioanalysis (ABB)
- Member of the Compass Group 2018- present
Certification
- Molecular Pathology/Biology Certification, MB (ASCP 8/2008-Present)
- Technical Supervisor, TS Molecular biology (#20132699, ABB), 2017-present
- High Complexity Clinical Laboratory Director, HCLD (#20132699, ABB), 2017-present
Timeline
Senior Director of Genetic Laboratory Operations
Sanford Health
02.2020 - Current
Enterprise Director for Laboratory Quality
Sanford Health
04.2018 - 01.2024
Section Director / General Lab Manager, Technical Supervisor & Chief Safety Officer (CSO)
Kailos Genetics, Inc.
07.2013 - 04.2018
Development Technologist I & II
Mayo Clinic
11.2004 - 06.2013
Senior Research Technologist I & II
Mayo Clinic
06.1997 - 11.2004
Bachelor of Science - Agriculture (Microbiology), Biotechnology and Chemistry
North Dakota State University
Master of Science - Microbiology (Immunology/Parasitology)
North Dakota State University
Ph.D. - Healthcare Administration/Health Science (Concentration in Molecular Pathology)
Trident University International
RESEARCH GRANTS AWARDED
- DLMP Small Grant program funds; October 2009-2010, $10,000. To better understand the biology of liposarcoma, development of a new clinical diagnostic test, and identification of a novel therapeutic target for these tumors.
- DLMP Discretionary Funds; November 2011-2012, $33,812. Molecular characterization of the Recurrent chromosomal translocation t(2;4) in a newly characterized sinonasal sarcoma.
- DLMP Discretionary Funds; May 2012-2013. $10,000. Expression profiling of nodular fasciitis and aneurysmal bone cyst: Do they belong to the same Biologic Spectrum?
- DLMP Small grant program funds; May 2012-2013. $55,000. Identification of RNA fusion transcripts in formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissues for diagnostic accuracy in solid tumors by next generation sequencing.
Gallup Strenghts
- Learner
- Restorative
- Deliberative
- Achiever
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Publications, Books, and Abstracts
- 48 publications
- 33 abstracts
- 1 book chapter; Clinical Decision Support for Pharmacogenomic Precision Medicine: Foundations and Implementation. Devine et al. - Academic Press – 2022
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