Michele L. Zucker

Equip is a leading virtual, evidence-based eating disorder treatment program dedicated to ensuring that everyone with an eating disorder has access to effective treatment. Each patient is assigned a multidisciplinary team, including a therapist, a dietitian, a medical provider, a peer mentor and a family mentor. Equip integrates evidence-based treatments to empower individuals on their journey to lasting recovery, with an emphasis on culturally sensitive care, Health at Every Size (HAES), and addressing co-occurring psychiatric and medical conditions.

Reported directly to the vice president of medical affairs as medical director for multiple time zones.

Key accomplishments include:

Supervisory role

• Directed performance and growth initiatives for eight medical providers.
• Strengthened dialogue pathways between senior management and healthcare staff.
• Oversaw weekly individual support and conducted group supervision with extra help provided as required.
• Guided team members on improving clinical skills, mentored reports to achieve a better work-life balance, and assisted reports in reaching career goals.
• Assessed performance data; initiated improvement plans for maintaining organizational standards.
• Authorized absence requests encompassing vacation, training, and medical leave.
• Executed scheduled reviews of employee achievements and progress.
• Earned high praise in evaluations due to excellence as medical director.
• Achieved satisfaction benchmarks exceeding other clinical disciplines.
• Achieved remarkable staff retention within clinical disciplines.

Administrative role

• Partnered with management to strategize and execute organizational transformations.
• Provided guidance to executives regarding regulatory compliance and patient safety.
• Delivered expertise in building adverse events monitoring systems.
• Coordinated efforts to refine non-domestic treatment protocols.
• Advised on integrating lab and medication orders into EMR system.
• Facilitated better access to information in the EMR.
• Guided development of consistent templates for medical intake and follow-up processes.
• Created protocols for handling complex patient cases at Equip.
• Created standardized workflow to optimize medication refill management.
• Created guidelines to streamline form completion.

Reported to the Vice President of Medical Affairs, hired to expand the medical team and ability to provide remote consultative medical care to patients enrolled at Equip

Key accomplishments include:

• Supervised clinical activities of medical team members within a multidisciplinary care environment.
• Acted as a collaborating physician for Advanced Practitioners following state laws.
• Provided expert guidance in managing care for complex patient cases.
• Facilitated onboarding of new healthcare providers.
• Facilitated teamwork among team leads and members to enhance service integration in patient care.
• Enhanced patient outcomes by working with outside healthcare professionals to ensure coordinated care.
• Reviewed documentation, analytical findings, and examination results to support treatment guidance.
• Ensured comprehensive documentation aligning with healthcare standards to track patient progress.
• Adhere to HIPAA guidelines and ensure data security compliance.
• Provided clear explanations of treatment options, medication use and ways to manage illness.
• Designed tailored care solutions through patient-family collaboration.
• Implemented medication and therapeutic regimens to manage patient health.
• Facilitated appropriate referrals for comprehensive patient evaluations.
• Directed patients with severe medical conditions to hospital for urgent treatment.
• Participated in ongoing professional development for best practices.

At Advocate, our complementary strengths, diverse experiences and enhanced capabilities enable us to reimagine health and well-being – with an eye toward academic research and innovation – to improve the lives of individuals, communities and our teammates. With Wake Forest University School of Medicine as our academic core, we’ll lead the nation in helping people live well and in training the next generation of health care leaders.

Reported to the Adolescent Medicine director, hired to expand Adolescent Medicine services within outpatient and inpatient settings.

Key accomplishments include:

Clinical role

• Provided clinical supervision to medical students and residents in various settings.
• Academic Appointment: Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago
• Cross-covered in Loyola's outpatient resident clinic, focusing on adolescent patients.

Program Development

• Directed clinical operations at Weight Restoration Clinic.
• Collaborated with professionals across disciplines to establish a team dedicated to treating eating disorders in an outpatient environment.
• Designed comprehensive protocols tailored for eating disorder treatment.
• Spearheaded the transformation of multidisciplinary protocols for managing patients with complex nutritional needs.
• Participated in weekly interdisciplinary meetings focused on patient care plans.

Young people ages 11 to 24 receive comprehensive care tailored to their needs in the Craig-Dalsimer Division of Adolescent Medicine at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) . The division provides high-quality medical care to youth throughout the adolescent years, with a focus on respecting individuality, supporting physical and emotional growth and development, and educating and empowering teens to take ownership of their healthcare and life decisions as they become adults.

Reported to the Chair of the Division of Adolescent Medicine and promoted to Medical Director of the General Adolescent Specialty Care Consultation Clinic and Fellow’s Clinic. Progressed through several different roles in the division, including Director of Outpatient Adolescent Specialty Care Services (2011 - 2015), Co-medical Director, Adolescent Care Clinic (2008 - 2009), and Adolescent Care Center Steering Committee (2008-2009).

Key accomplishments include:

• Worked closely with the division Chair and Administrative Director on clinic relocation planning within budget.
• Collaborated with the Administrative Director to assess outpatient budgets and patient volume.
• Evaluated progress after implementing workflow adjustments tailored for clinic efficiency improvements.
• Coordinated schedules to guarantee sufficient provider availability.
• Developed protocols for phone triage and MyChart message management to enhance communication workflows.
• Streamlined processes by standardizing patient rooming procedures through cross-functional collaboration.
• Conducted orientation sessions for onboarding personnel.
• Standardized documentation processes with customized templates.
• Developed and regularly reviewed standing protocols to streamline urine-related diagnostic procedures in the clinic.
• Conducted yearly evaluations for nursing staff, physician assistants, and office coordinator.

Reported to the Chair of Adolescent Medicine, recruited to augment the patient care capacity of a growing team.

Key accomplishments include:

Academic role

Academic appointment: Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

• Directed group sessions focusing on principles of differential diagnosis within an annual course.
• Engaged in ongoing professional training to remain updated on medical advancements.
• Provided clinical supervision and education to medical students, residents, and fellows in adolescent primary care clinics.
• Served as a consultant on inpatient pediatric wards, facilitating advanced learning among medical trainees.

Clinical role

• Provided adolescent healthcare services across various settings.
• Acted as collaborating physician for Advanced Practice providers.
• Placed over 100 Nexplanon subdermal implants

Service

• Served as a member of CHOP Epic Super User Group.
• Collaborated with a cross-functional team to enhance self-service functionalities.
• Contributed to CHOPLink (CHOP Priority Line 1-800-Try-CHOP) Implementation, enhancing quality and patient safety.
• Played an ongoing role in providing essential community referrals via the CHOP priority line.
• Served as reviewer for IRB submissions in Adolescent Medicine Division.

As a pioneer in the development of adolescent medicine in the United States, the Teen Health Center of the Division of Adolescent and Transition Medicine offers a well-coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of medical, social, emotional, sexual, educational, and nutritional concerns confronting adolescents and young adults aged 12 to 25 years

Reported to the Chair of the Adolescent Medicine Division, was hired to augment capacity for patient care and strengthen the relationship between Adolescent Medicine and Psychiatry.

Academic role

• Academic Appointment: Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine
• Provided clinical oversight and instruction to medical students, residents, and fellows in adolescent primary care and specialty care clinics and inpatient units.

Clinical role

Served as medical liaison coordinating efforts with psychiatric ward.

• Served as a collaborating physician for advanced practice providers.
• Conducted thorough medical assessments for new psychiatric patients.
• Monitored patient needs and provided required care as per staff capabilities.
• Upheld safety protocols while managing patients in restraints.
• Facilitated learning for medical students and residents through clinical oversight on psychiatric units.