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Crystal Sacaridiz

Manager of Social Research Projects at NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Professional Background

Crystal Sacaridiz is an accomplished healthcare and social services professional with over a decade of experience committed to improving access to care for marginalized and low-income populations. Throughout her distinguished career, she has played a pivotal role in promoting racial equity and social justice, demonstrating an unwavering dedication to community-clinical linkages and participatory research design. Crystal has successfully worked in various strategic roles across several organizations, predominantly focusing on healthcare delivery, administration, analysis, development, and advocacy.

Education and Achievements

Crystal earned her Master of Arts (MA) in Applied Social Research in Sociology from Queens College, where she cultivated a robust understanding of social contexts and methodologies. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology and Sociology from the same institution. Her academic background laid a solid foundation for her career, allowing her to approach complex health and social issues with insightful strategies and a research-driven mindset.

In her professional journey, Crystal has notably served as the Research and Social Services Unit Lead at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. In this capacity, she has led numerous projects that align with her objective of enhancing community health outcomes through effective systemic change. Previously, she held the position of Manager of Social Research Projects, in which she championed collaborative and evidence-based approaches to public health challenges.

One of her notable roles also includes serving as a Care Transformation Strategist, where Crystal was instrumental in developing initiatives that fostered improved healthcare experiences for patients. Her prior experience as a Health Care & Community Prevention Strategist at the Fund for Public Health in NYC further enriched her skills in health systems analysis and program development. Additionally, she played a key role as a Community Health Systems Analyst, where she focused on identifying and addressing healthcare disparities within communities.

Crystal's contributions to public health have been recognized through significant funding secured from esteemed organizations. Her collaborative leadership has resulted in noteworthy achievements, including:

  • Open Society Foundations: Crystal successfully secured $325,000 to build a multisector health justice narrative change stakeholder network.
  • Center for Disease Control: She obtained $3 million in federal funding over five years to bolster the capacity of community-based nonprofits and support the development of the community health worker workforce in chronic disease prevention and management.
  • National Endowment for the Arts: NYC’s premier recipient of $100,000 over two years to raise awareness about violence as a public health issue through community participatory design.
  • OneCity Health Innovation Fund: Crystal supported three community-based organizations in acquiring a total of $750,000 in Medicaid redesign funding for a DSRIP phase I project aimed at providing community health worker lead diabetes self-management program delivery with integrated social needs screening and referral.
  • Leora M. & Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust: She successfully secured $200,000 to facilitate community-based participatory research and develop a self-serve community resource finder software solution.

Skills and Expertise

Crystal is proficient in various technical and administrative skills essential for effective project management and healthcare delivery. Her expertise encompasses:

  • Strategic Planning: Designing comprehensive strategies that align with organizational goals and community health needs.
  • Project Management: Overseeing diverse projects from inception to execution, ensuring adherence to objectives and deadlines.
  • Research & Evaluation: Conducting in-depth analyses to inform policy decisions and improve service delivery.
  • Crisis & Care Management: Navigating challenging healthcare scenarios and providing critical support to patients and families.
  • Capacity Building: Enhancing the capabilities of organizations and community health worker networks to empower effectiveness in service delivery.
  • Nonprofit Administration: Managing operations, fundraising efforts, and stakeholder engagement to strengthen nonprofit efforts.
  • Human Centered Design: Focusing on developing programs and services that meet the real needs of community members through participatory approaches.

Crystal is also well-versed in technical tools and software relevant to healthcare and social services, including Microsoft Office Suite, ArcGIS, Stata, SPSS, Tableau, Salesforce, and various healthcare-specific programs such as Epic and eClinicalWorks. Her familiarity with these systems enhances her ability to conduct thorough analysis and facilitate effective communication among stakeholders.

Community Engagement and Impact

Beyond her professional roles, Crystal's focus on capacity building and advocacy extends to her active engagement with community organizations. Throughout her career, she has emphasized the importance of understanding community needs and integrating those insights into health interventions. This focus has empowered her to forge substantial partnerships across various sectors, enhancing the availability and effectiveness of services for vulnerable populations.

Her early career experience as a Social Worker at Children’s Aid Society laid the essential groundwork for her compassionate approach to healthcare and social services while her tenure as a Substitute Teacher at the NYC Department of Education gave her insight into the educational challenges faced by children in low-income communities. Furthermore, her role as an Assistant Administrator to the Regional Vice President at Prudential Douglas Elliman provided her with valuable administrative skills that contribute to her efficiency in the nonprofit sector.

Conclusion

In summary, Crystal Sacaridiz is a highly skilled, compassionate, and strategic professional committed to enhancing healthcare access and driving social equity. With extensive experience in project management, research, and community engagement, she is a profound asset to any organization focused on improving the health and well-being of underserved populations. Crystal’s ongoing commitment to building healthier communities and her proven ability to secure significant funding demonstrate her leadership and advocacy in the healthcare sector. As she continues her work in this vital space, Crystal remains a steadfast advocate for social justice and healthcare innovation.

Related Questions

How did Crystal Sacaridiz's education in sociology and psychology shape her approach to community health?
What specific strategies has Crystal implemented to improve access to care for low-income populations?
In what ways has Crystal's work contributed to the advancement of social justice in healthcare?
What are some of the key partnerships Crystal has developed to strengthen community-clinical linkages?
How does Crystal apply human-centered design in her healthcare initiatives?
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Location

Greater New York City Area