Ruth Castillo
El Paso,TX
Summary
Highly-motivated professional enthusiastic about taking on a new challenge with a leading public health agency. Successful at developing innovative strategies to address emergency preparedness. Strategic planner and big-picture thinker adept at leading projects from concept through completion. Trained and experienced in federal, state and local planning, FEMA Professional Development Series, Incident Command System (ICS), National Incident Management System (NIMS), National Response Framework (NRF), Preparedness Cycle and Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program and currently working on becoming a Certified Emergency Manager by the International Association of Emergency Managers.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Health Deputy Director
City Of El Paso Department Of Public Health
10.2023 - Current
- Improved program efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing time-saving solutions.
- Managed cross-functional teams for successful project completion within deadlines and budgets.
- Enhanced project visibility with regular status updates, leading to increased stakeholder engagement.
- Developed strategic plans, setting clear objectives and achievable milestones for the team.
Emergency Preparedness Program Manager
City of El Paso Department of Public Health
06.2018 - 10.2023
- Manage and lead 10 staff members to successful completion of program deliverables.
- Manage and monitor assigned programs' budget of over 1.5 Million.
- Ensure on-time submission of grant deliverables while maintaining established budget.
- Conduct program evaluation to address systemic issues and implement quality improvement projects.
- Serve as Planning Section Chief for COVID-19 response and Measles Outbreak.
- Build and nurture community partnerships through capacity building.
- Provide technical guidance and support to staff and Health Director on public health emergency response.
- Provide monthly, quarterly and annual Emergency Preparedness Training to staff and community partners.
- Complete statistical and narrative reports to evaluate program's results.
- Research and identify community resources to leverage needs.
- Participate in department's Compliance and Quality Improvement Committees.
- Serve as Chair for BioWatch Advisory Council and Bi-national Radiological Emergency Advisory Council in El Paso County.
- Member of national NACCHO Infection and Control Practices Training Council.
- Provided support for Family Assistance Center during Walmart Active Shooter Response.
- Planned and conducted El Paso community's first Full Scale Exercise on Community Reception Centers for Radiological Incidents.
- Planned and conducted first County-wide Community Assessment for Emergency Response (CASPER) in El Paso County.
- Planned and conducted focus groups with representatives from vulnerable populations across the County.
- Served as ESF-8 representative during EOC activation for Presidential visit in February 2019.
- Created the Community Outreach Information Network (COIN) to increase communication channels and resource accessibility for vulnerable populations.
- Trained and experienced in federal, state and local planning, Incident Command System (ICS), National Incident Management System (NIMS), National Response Framework (NRF), Preparedness Cycle and Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program.
- EOC Representative for the 2022-2023 Migrant Crisis
Emergency Preparedness Liaison/SNS Coordinator
City of El Paso Department of Public Health
03.2016 - 06.2018
- Manage and lead 5 staff members to successful completion of program deliverables.
- Manage and monitor assigned programs' budget of over 500K.
- Program Coordinator for Ebola Projects funded by DSHS.
- Program Coordinator for DPH Radiation Response Program.
- Served as Department Operations Center (DOC) Director during Papal visit on February 2016.
- Planned and conducted Bi-annual Community Emergency Preparedness Expo.
- Developed and implemented multiple emergency preparedness activities and projects to increase community response capacity and resilience.
- Provided technical guidance to staff to overcome obstacles and successfully accomplish program objectives.
- Prepared and submitted programmatic reports on accomplishments, goals and objectives for granting agency and key stakeholders.
- Developed and exercised medication-dispensing and supporting plans for community prophylaxis.
- Recruited and engaged community partners to increase emergency preparedness efforts and community resilience.
- Coordinated state grant budget, amendment, revision and re-directions.
- Procured and reviewed program expenditures.
- Actively participated in department's Compliance and Quality Improvement committees.
- Assisted in responding to and resolving sensitive inquiries and complaints from constituents and staff.
Supplemental Instructor
El Paso Community College
05.2011 - 05.2016
- Provided one-on-one tutoring sessions for over 20 college students per semester tailored to student's learning style.
- Prepared and implemented weekly lesson plans for Supplemental Instruction (SI) for over 20 students per session.
- Mentored three high school students in their college-level research projects involving high detection instrumentation including Micro Scan.
Health Preparedness Education Specialist
City of El Paso Department of Public Health
03.2014 - 03.2016
- Manage and lead 2 staff members to successful completion of program deliverables.
- Program Coordinator for Radiation Volunteer Program where 35 volunteers were recruited.
- Manage and monitor program budget of $25,000.
- Served as Planning Section Chief for Hospital Tuberculosis Event involving exposure to over 700 children.
- Planned and executed Full-Scale Exercise for department's Strategic National Stockpile plan.
- Assisted in development and implementation of Community Health Workers (CHW) Preparedness Education and Outreach program funded by National Library of Medicine.
- Developed and conducted department's workforce training needs assessment.
- Assisted in development and execution of Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) tabletop exercise and conducted raining on Continuity of Operations planning.
- Assisted in development of department's Policy Development and Review Process.
- Active member of department's Quality Improvement committee.
STEM Tutor
El Paso Independent School District
08.2012 - 03.2014
- Provided one-on-one and small group instruction to over 150 students falling behind in Biology and Chemistry classes.
- Developed STEM lessons plans to increase student understanding of concepts by providing connections with real world application.
- Improved test scores by focusing on reading comprehension, math, and critical thinking skills through one-on-one tutoring sessions.
- Ensured students are provided appropriate learning environment and guide students to success.
- Motivated students towards learning and studying to build self-confidence and reduce fear of failure.
Research Assistant
University of Texas
08.2008 - 05.2010
- Studied Gram positive and Gram-negative bacteria as potential geo-markers in different environments.
- Measured and analyzed weekly samples of bacterial isotope fractionation for different heavy metals.
- Proficient use of CP-IOE and ICP MS instrumentation to determine metal fractionation of analyzed samples.
Research Assistant
El Paso Community College
08.2008 - 05.2010
- Analyzed 100% of monthly Rio Grande samples for detection of enteric viruses.
- Implemented molecular biology techniques including Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and electrophoresis.
- Provided weekly written reports and monthly oral presentations to professors and fellow researchers.
- Maintained laboratory inventory for adequate supply and re-supply of needed lab supplies.
- Presented findings at National ABRCMS Conference and recognized 1st place for Best Presentation.
Research Assistant
Texas Tech Health Sciences Center
10.2007 - 12.2009
- Researched hormone roles on induced breast tumorigenesis to better understand pregnancy and breast cancer relationship.
- Developed and maintained daily results record of western blots, immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, whole mounts, etc.
- Provided weekly oral reports to Principal Investigator.
- Presented results at local and national conferences including the American Association for Cancer Research Conference.
Research Assistant
Universidad de Cadiz
05.2009 - 08.2009
- Researched Guarea Guidonea's allelopathic properties for development of natural fertilizers.
- Planned, modified and executed research techniques, procedures and tests including column chromatography and High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and colecotide bioassays to identify biological activity.
- Gathered, arranged and corrected research data to create representative graphs and charts highlighting results for presentations.
- Collaborated with leadership team to identify relevant questions and determine best methods of collection.
- Cataloged data and research into Excel databases.
Research Assistant
Princeton University
05.2008 - 08.2008
- Researched cell pathways involved in DNA repair mechanism conducting molecular biology techniques to include Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), electrophoresis and western blots.
- Maintained laboratory inventory for proper management of supplies.
- Gathered, arranged and corrected research data to create representative graphs and charts highlighting results for presentations.
- Worked with principal investigator to coordinate qualitative data collection and analysis for reporting purposes.
Education
Master of Public Health - Public Health
University of Texas At El Paso (UTEP)
El Paso, TX12.2015
Quality Improvement Associate Certification -
ASQ
El Paso, TX2015
Bachelor of Science - Biological Sciences
University of Texas At El Paso (UTEP)
El Paso, TX12.2010
Skills
- Performance monitoring
- Policy and procedure improvements
- Program management and quality improvement
- Customer Service
- Team leadership and direction
- Data Collection & Research
- Project Management Professional
Timeline
Health Deputy Director
City Of El Paso Department Of Public Health
10.2023 - Current
Emergency Preparedness Program Manager
City of El Paso Department of Public Health
06.2018 - 10.2023
Emergency Preparedness Liaison/SNS Coordinator
City of El Paso Department of Public Health
03.2016 - 06.2018
Health Preparedness Education Specialist
City of El Paso Department of Public Health
03.2014 - 03.2016
STEM Tutor
El Paso Independent School District
08.2012 - 03.2014
Supplemental Instructor
El Paso Community College
05.2011 - 05.2016
Research Assistant
Universidad de Cadiz
05.2009 - 08.2009
Research Assistant
University of Texas
08.2008 - 05.2010
Research Assistant
El Paso Community College
08.2008 - 05.2010
Research Assistant
Princeton University
05.2008 - 08.2008
Research Assistant
Texas Tech Health Sciences Center
10.2007 - 12.2009
Master of Public Health - Public Health
University of Texas At El Paso (UTEP)
Quality Improvement Associate Certification -
ASQ
Bachelor of Science - Biological Sciences
University of Texas At El Paso (UTEP)
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