Michelle Cullum

• Position within the Office of Strategy and Quality Management..
• Restructured, implemented, and hosted a bimonthly New Employee Orientation training process for more than 100 employees each year, in order to streamline the hiring process for new employees, improving overall efficiency and productivity within the organization.
• Collaborated with management to identify skill gaps, developing targeted training initiatives to address these needs.
• Researched and obtained relevant course materials to achieve training objectives.
• Produced training materials such as manuals, guides and online learning modules to reiterate information shared in training sessions.
• Acted as a liaison between management and employees via collaborative creation and implementation of a Workforce Relations Advisory Committee, ensuring clear communication of expectations related to workforce development goals and objectives
• Mentored staff members in career development strategies, fostering a supportive learning environment.
• Provided career coaching sessions and materials for employees seeking guidance on professional growth possibilities within the organization.
• Promoted a culture of continuous quality improvement by encouraging ongoing learning and skills advancement amongst DPH staff.
• Facilitated traveling seminar at all four health center locations on quality improvement, job readiness, resume writing, and career search resources.
• Championed diversity and inclusion initiatives throughout all aspects of workforce development programming.
• Coordinated volunteers, interns, and academic placement opportunities as part of the Workforce Development Plan, PHAB accreditation standards, within the confines both Academic Health Department and St. Louis County legal guidelines and ordinances.
• Facilitated the establishment of 21 new Academic Affiliation Agreements with local universities, allowing a larger number of students to apply for an academic experience at the organization.
• Coordinated the completion of over 6.700 student internship hours to help father the mission, vision, and values of DPH.
• Designed assessment tools to measure intern competency level improvements following participation in development courses or programs.
• Conducted preliminary interviews to determine if prospective interns met employer qualifications and referred eligible applicants to matching opportunities.
• Presented changes and improvements to internship program at annual Quality Summit.

• Collect blood and tissue samples with focus on accuracy and adherence to aseptic techniques.
• Conducted specimen evisceration and dissection.
• Examined specimens to identify pathological conditions.
• Collected materials for toxicological, viral and bacteriological assays.
• Labeled and stored tissue samples and specimens, and verified specimen numbering and related requisitions.
• Dictated examination findings using sufficient detail.
• Prepared samples for both statewide and international shipping and disposed of bodily fluids in proper containers.
• Trained new laboratory personnel to apply proper laboratory techniques and best practices.
• Maintained safe, tidy and organized laboratory environment for accurate test results.
• Carried out bio-hazard and chemical hazard waste material disposal.
• Completed regular safety training to meet OSHA standards.
• Maintained strict aseptic fields when collecting biological samples, minimizing staff, and patient infection risks.
• Upheld laboratory protocols dictated by facility, governing agencies, or special project requirements.

• Analyzed and interpreted perimortem clinical investigation findings presented via medical records, forensic reports, death certificates, and interviews with decedent's next of kin
• Entered data and interview findings into HEDDS (Houston Electronic Surveillance System) to help identify potential patterns and anomalies in Covid-19 deaths including vaccine breakthrough and re-infection cases
• Established strong communicative relationship among MMRU (Mortality Monitoring & Reporting Unit) leadership and clinical liaisons
• Gathered and submitted data to regulatory agencies for mandatory report infections, specifically Covid-19
• Collected and organized data for weekly case reporting
• Maintained data, reporting and quality assurance standards throughout investigations
• Improved efficiency through consistent hard work and dedication to Mortality Monitoring & Reporting Unit
• Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems
• Identified risks proactively, preparing team for potential changes based on current epidemiological and vaccination trends through round table discussions during weekly meetings

• Collaborated with team of 15 in the development of pandemic mitigation practices throughout various Houston school districts.
• Educated school administrators, patients, families, and public about infectious and communicable diseases, specifically related to Covid-19, including disease transmission, prevention, and vaccination practices
• Lead investigations into Covid-19 outbreaks across colleges, universities, private, and parochial school systems
• Surveilled notifiable infection conditions and outbreaks among school faculty, staff, and students - ranging in age from Pre-K through university upperclassmen
• Determined important variables for each case such as location and severity of outbreak and both laboratory and clinical findings
• Performed data entry on HEDDS (Houston Electronic Disease Surveillance System) based on surveillance techniques such as patient and contact interviews and laboratory testing investigations
• Taught medical and laboratory terminology and practices to Contact Tracing staff
• Maintained data, reporting and quality assurance standards throughout investigations including PHI - personal health information - in accordance with HIPPA regulations
• Used Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and other software to develop key organizational tools and complete Department of State Health Services forms for all positive Covid-19 patients
• Collected and organized data for weekly case reporting
• Worked to maintain outstanding attendance record, consistently arriving to work ready to start immediately

• Documented complete information about examinations, treatment plans, lab results and other details directly into charts
• Attended patient appointments and wrote narrative account of events using proper abbreviations, grammar and spelling
• Accompanied physicians through day in fast-paced, stressful environments
• Stayed on top of current patient loads to facilitate efficient and organized workflow
• Developed advanced proficiency in Epic records management software
• Reviewed records, paperwork and orders for errors and resolved issues with minimal direction

Biosafety Level 2 Laboratory United States Army Medical Command

• Created and implemented a Galleria mellonella insect model analyzing the effect of Acinetobacter baumannii 5256 and Acinetobacter baumannii 51 to understand Acinetobacter baumannii virulence, time and rate of death, and pathogenicity
• Performed bacterial competition assays measuring bacterial antagonism and its effects on time and rate of death between the two strains
• Analyzed the differences in single versus combined double strain virulence and death rates among one and two needle sticks bacterial injections in Galleria monella
• Compared genomic data of Acinetobacter baumannii obtained from wounded patients at Walter Reed Hospital in conjunction with the Human Microbiome Study through a module system for evolutionary analysis to better understand the microbiome of each wound
• Presented findings in weekly staff and monthly WRAIR staff meetings
• Utilized aseptic and best-practice laboratory techniques
• Followed SOPs and MSDS protocols

• Aided in the creation and implementation of an Influenza Vaccination Campaign to help promote vaccinations among health care leaders and staff
• Oversaw the implementation of outside research materials into the campaign
• Conducted first-hand interviews with health care leaders from institutions with mandatory influenza vaccination policies including Barnes Jewish Hospital, SSM Health Care, and Saint Louis University Medical Center
• Designed marketing materials for campaign website
• Coordinated and planned Influenza Vaccination Summit Meeting
• Worked with St. Louis County Department of Health and leaders from Pandemicprep.org to coordinate data and implement marketing strategies
• Assisted in the coordination and execution of a Faith Based Preparedness Conference, bringing together a multitude of religious organizations with national, state, and local preparedness organizations (e.g., American Red Cross, St. Louis County Medical Reserve Corps Unit, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, United Way) to ensure readiness in the event of a disaster
• Aided in the implementation and coordination of Saint Louis University School of Public Health's new Masters in Public Health and Certificate program in emergency management and crisis leadership

• Participated in four laboratory rotations, including: sample handling and documentation; specimen testing for drugs and other foreign chemical matter; blood analysis using mass spectrometry; and DNA analysis
• Prepared samples for slides and created specimen diagram.
• Examined specimens to identify pathologic conditions.
• Took specimen photographs before and after dissection for records.
• Labeled and stored tissue samples and specimens, and verified specimen numbering and related requisitions.
• Collected materials for toxicological, viral and bacteriological assays.
• Operated wide range of laboratory equipment and instruments to complete analysis.
• Summarized test results and activities for management via verbal updates or written reports.
• Maintained laboratory sanitation, organization and appearance.
• Followed Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) consistently across daily activities and special products.
• Analyzed and interpreted data, accurately identifying and reporting laboratory results.