Katie Sisson

About Katie Sisson

I had already chosen healthcare as my life path, but the pandemic deepened my commitment to improving access and quality of care.When the world shut down, we were globally united in paying attention to the novel coronavirus. COVID-19 has exacerbated the burden of health inequalities for socially disadvantaged groups. But it also magnified awareness toward the root causes of public health disparities and the need for competent services while we mobilize new initiatives for structural change.I was studying abroad in Cape Town, South Africa when the virus erupted and it broke my heart to cut short this rich cultural learning. But the collective loss upset me even more, so I sought out tangible action to support fellow citizens in need. I have been honored to serve as a lead bilingual communicator for Marin Community Clinics throughout the pandemic. Volunteering with their local Health Hubs connected me with an outstanding team to deliver essential resources to food-insecure families, provide education on COVID-19 safety, and administer referrals to health and legal aid services. Community engagement has enhanced my continuous learning on how to serve immediate needs, while aiming to reinvent the conditions for collective humanity.When I returned to Los Angeles in Fall 2020 to complete my final (virtual) year at USC, I myself contracted the virus. Intent to reframe this development as an opportunity for scientific research, I joined a clinical trial studying COVID-19. I am actually grateful for catching the virus. It not only amplified my exposure to virtues and shortcomings of the healthcare system, it also led me to a life-changing diagnosis. My patient experience of sustaining self-advocacy has shaped my health career objective: to promote human-centered coordinated care, to support the inclusive expansion of health equity, and to guide physicians and patients toward mutual understanding and better outcomes for all.Over the past year and a half, I explored outward and inward, reinforced my (un-)learning, and fortified my sense of self. I am a scientific creative, a holistic yet agile thinker, and an enthusiastic advocate for community health. I value collaborating with teams of varying voices, backgrounds, and ideas for innovation. I pay close attention to details, remain organized when task-shifting, and navigate crises with compassion. I embrace any “failures” as growth opportunities. I am eager to work with providers who are shifting the medical paradigm from “the problem to be fixed” to \"the patient is a complex whole, worthy of well-being.”

Experience

1. Medical Assistant to Orthopedic Surgeon

   California Pacific Orthopaedics

   Nov 2021 — Present · San Francisco, CA, US

   Coordinate patient care as the primary point of contact for Dr. Mark Schrumpf; shoulder and elbow specialty orthopedic surgeon• Guide and triage patient correspondence regarding registration and scheduling, pre-/post-operative protocols, pain management questions, and acute concerns• Perform suture/staple removals, cast cutting, sling/brace applications, and range of motion tests• Prepare injections, patient exam rooms, medical equipment, and other in-office procedures• Obtain patient medical histories and update medical records• Sustain clinical flow by acquiring authorizations for diagnostic imaging, prescription medications, physical therapy, and Workers Compensation patients

Education

• University of Cape Town

  Study Abroad, Critical Psychology

• University of Southern California

  Health and Human Sciences, Health and the Mind

  2017 — 2021

• Marin Academy

  High School Diploma

• University of San Francisco

  Coursework, Organic Chemistry