RYAN FESSLER
Philadelphia,PA
Summary
Healthcare professional with 12 years of experience building trust and influencing key stakeholders across premier pediatric hospital networks, including ICU, ED, transplant, and inpatient settings. Expert at navigating high-pressure clinical environments and translating complex medical information to align physicians, administrators, and care teams. Combining deep institutional healthcare knowledge with a proven track record of relationship-building to drive success in medical device or healthcare sales.
Overview
1
1
Certification
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Advanced Child Life Specialist
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA
06.2018 - Current
- Provide child life coverage for a 71+ bed Emergency Department while supporting needs throughout the hospital during evening and overnight hours.
- Built trusted relationships with patients, families, and multidisciplinary healthcare teams to enhance collaborative care across a 559-bed academic medical center.
- Influence patient and family decision-making during high-stress situations through active listening, needs assessment, education, and relationship-based communication.
- Collaborate with physicians, nursing, social work, and other clinical teams to coordinate patient-centered care and address complex needs.
- Facilitate pre-bone marrow transplant meetings, preparing families for surgery and inpatient care through clear education and communication.
- Developed and implemented DHS backpack program to address unmet needs by coordinating therapeutic, clothing, toiletry, and comfort resources for patients and siblings transitioning to new residences.
- Provided feedback to Emergency Department volunteers, new employees, and practicum students.
- Serve on recruitment, pain management, and bereavement/legacy committees supporting hospital initiatives and patient-care improvements.
Certified Child Life Specialist
University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital
Iowa City, IA
04.2016 - 05.2018
- Established strong professional relationships while providing procedural preparation, trauma support, sibling support, normalization, and bereavement services to enhance family coping.
- Collaborated with physicians, nurses, and multidisciplinary teams in a 28-bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and Cardiac Intensive Care Unit.
- Organized and facilitated bi-weekly PICU Parent Group to educate and support families during complex hospitalizations, fostering community and resilience.
- Revitalized the PICU volunteer program and served as lead staff supervisor, increasing volunteer retention by more than 200%.
- Supervised practicum students and interns, providing mentorship, feedback, and clinical guidance.
- Coordinated memorial services and family-support initiatives, ensuring effective planning, communication, and collaboration across teams.
Certified Child Life Specialist
Johns Hopkins Children's Center
Baltimore, MD
03.2015 - 04.2016
- Served as sole Child Life Specialist in 30-bed Pediatric Emergency Department, quickly establishing rapport to support children and families in a fast-paced clinical environment.
- Provided preparation and support before, during, and after procedures while helping children and families navigate illness, disability, and hospitalization.
- Collaborated with clinical teams to support patients in general pediatrics and pediatric intensive care units.
Education
B.S. - Therapeutic Recreation, Child Life
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA12-2014
Skills
- Patient Safety Standards
- Healthcare Systems Knowledge
- Clinical Collaboration
- Patient Education
- Needs Assessment
- Consultative Communication
- Relationship Building
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Strategic Problem Solving
- Task Prioritization
- Mentorship
- Presentation Skills
Certification
- Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS)
- Clinical Supervision Training
- Dialogue in Difficult Conversations
- Professionally Speaking with Tact
- American Heart Association CPR/AED & Infant CPR
- Association of Child Life Professionals Member
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
University of Iowa Dance Marathon, Leadership Team Member / Executive Business Director / Dancer Relations Chair / Family Representative, Managed allocations, budgeting, resource distribution, and donation tracking., Collected and deposited $1,801,032.20 in fundraising contributions during one year., Led 49 Morale Captains who collectively raised more than $102,000., Helped generate more than $1.5 million in donations through engagement and fundraising initiatives., Maintained a long-term relationship with a family and child affected by pediatric cancer.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- 12+ years working within complex pediatric hospital environments, including emergency medicine and intensive care.
- Collaborated with physicians, nurses, social workers, administrators, and multidisciplinary clinical teams.
- Built trust and gained buy-in during high-stress, emotionally complex situations requiring influence and clear communication.
- Trained and mentored 100+ volunteers, new employees, practicum students, and interns.
- Developed and implemented programs by identifying needs, coordinating stakeholders, and managing execution.
- Managed and contributed to fundraising initiatives exceeding $1.5M, including leadership of 49 team leaders.
Timeline
Advanced Child Life Specialist
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
06.2018 - Current
Certified Child Life Specialist
University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital
04.2016 - 05.2018
Certified Child Life Specialist
Johns Hopkins Children's Center
03.2015 - 04.2016
B.S. - Therapeutic Recreation, Child Life
University of Iowa