Marlene Jackson McDowell

Experience

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  U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

  Jun 1990 - Dec 1997

  Senior Public Affairs Specialist

  Position Overview: To bring awareness through media coverage and community outreach the decisions of California’s largest water resources agency that delivers millions of gallons of water to farmers and wildlife habitat annually.Key Responsibilities and Achievements• Served as agency spokesperson for public and media inquiries both on and off camera. • Authored first-ever Internet policy for agency website and other Internet communications.• Wrote and coordinated the distribution of press releases, advisories, fact sheets, background pieces, and other materials on a variety of the agency’s regional and national topics. • Acted as principal coordinator for special events and community service programs. • Established and maintained relationships with environmentalists, recreation officials, and other key special interest groups. • Responsible for layout, design, and content of employee electronic and print newsletters. Ensured newsletter content was appropriate for target audience. Show less

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  American Association of Nurse Anesthetists

  Apr 1999 - May 2006

  Public Relations Specialist

  Position Overview: Employed to communicate the role of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists and the AANA to the media and various audiences, including patients, healthcare professionals, hospital administrators, legislators and others.Key Responsibilities and Achievements: • Wrote and edited press releases, speeches, brochures, advertising copy, and other written materials.• Coordinated national patient safety media campaigns on topics such as pain management, Viagra and complementary and alternative medicines before surgery. • Arranged interviews between media and association president, Board of Directors, and other key members of staff.• Served as association liaison to the national AANA public relations committee. • Assisted with media training for members at the national and state level, and counseled members on appropriate responses to complex and controversial issues. Show less

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  AANA

  May 2006 - Dec 2015

  Public Relations Manager

  Position established to communicate the role of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and the AANA to targeted print/broadcast media outlets and key stakeholders interested in and affected by healthcare-related issues; planned and managed a variety of day-to-day public relations and internal communication activities including issues management, crisis communication, proactive communication efforts, and various writing and editing assignments. Key Responsibilities and Achievements:• Arranged and participated in fact finding interviews with public relations firms to determine best suited companies to support the launch of national public relations campaign with a budget of nearly $500,000 (CRNAs: The Future of Anesthesia Care microsite.• Authored a white paper written on behalf of the CEO which was distributed during key stakeholder annual congress.• Provided concept ideas and was responsible for content accuracy on-site during filming of national public relations campaign video. Show less

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  American Association of Nurse Anesthetists

  Dec 2015 - Dec 2019

  Assistant Director, PR and Diversity and Inclusion Leader

  Position established to advance the strategic priorities of the AANA through managing high-level communication, diversity and inclusion, and member engagement responsibilities. • Co-authored a textbook chapter titled “Diversity and Inclusion in Nurse Anesthesia and Healthcare,” in the book “A Resource for Nurse Anesthesia Educators.• Produced a recruitment video titled, “Be A Nurse, Be A Nurse Anesthetist.”• Leads the diversity and inclusion education, events, and national membership committee for the entire association and profession of nurse anesthesia. • Creates and implements lecture series and national campaigns. • Serves as one of the primary media contacts for media interviews for board members, C-Suite, senior directors, and member experts.• Offers counsel to state associations, individual members, and board of directors concerning best practices for successful media interviews and other communication efforts.• Provides association print and online publications with content of interest to members.• Develops communication plans for major initiatives and projects. Show less

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  American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology

  Jan 2020 - Mar 2023

  Diversity and Inclusion Lead

  I am the AANA's first diversity and inclusion professional responsible for leading 59,000+ Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) in an effort to increase the awareness, visibility, and educational opportunities for our membership.* Developed a board approved three-year diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategic plan.* Organized the AANA's first town hall meeting to discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion. * Staff liaison to the national AANA DEI Committee.* Established an annual DEI lecture that takes place during the AANA's largest meeting. * Conceptualized and implemented a year-long national DEI campaign.* Created webinars to discuss the impact of health disparities in anesthesia care.* Co-authored position statements to provide guidelines surrounding health disparities and anesthesia care. Show less

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  American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA)

  Mar 2023 - now

  Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion