You are always impacting those around you. Make it positive with a smile, word of encouragement or kind gesture. You never know how your actions will impact another so make sure you are that positive point of contact in their day. You can never go wrong by just doing the right thing!
I joined BDO - USVI in January 2019 as a Disaster Recovery Consultant. In my current role, I am able to assist various organizations in the US Virgin Islands as they continue to recover from the devastation of two Category 5 hurricanes that struck the islands within thirteen days of each other.
I am currently pursuing my MBA with a focus in Healthcare Administration. My degree will be completed by September 2021; however, I have the option to accelerate the date.
ICMC is a niche consulting firm based in St. Thomas, VI. I was with their Internal Audit team with my primary focus being healthcare. My primary client was Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) where I performed financial, operational and clinical reviews.
For example, I performed a review of the "cradle-to-grave" processes related to controlled substances. This review started at the point the controlled substance was ordered through the dispense to the patient or wasting of the drug. This review focused on the internal controls to help ensure compliance with both Federal and State regulations applicable to the sites. It also detail tested the inventory, individual licensing and security surrounding the controlled substances at the various points of the process. This review included facilities in five different states across the country.
I established the internal audit function at SRH. I reported directly to the VP of Compliance and Internal Audit. I created an audit charter, policies and procedures, audit reports, testing templates, risk assessment and presentations. I was also tasked with training and supervising staff in both the Internal Audit and Compliance functions. I created a bi-annual risk-based audit plan. My department reported directly to the Board and administratively to the CEO.
My team performed the full spectrum of internal audits including financial, operational and compliance reviews. We also performed investigations related to potential data breaches, drug diversions, cash thefts, etc. The audit team also performed a bi-annual full risk assessment for the organization every two years with a 99% participation rate. We prepared all work papers, testing and reports to support the findings.
While at SRH, we also added ACL and ACL-GRC to our arsenal of audit tools. It allowed us to engage ACL consultants to design continual audit tools while we continued performing audits. The ACL monitoring allowed us to effectively and efficiently monitor those processes that posed continual risk to the organization. The use of technology helped us to perform a wide variety of testing with a small staff.
Often people focus on the downside of an event but I prefer to see the positive that comes from it. September 2017 was one of those times in life where you could either be defeated or learn your strength. St. Thomas, the island I adore, was battered by two Category 5 hurricanes within 13 days of each other. 95% of the island was left without power; phone poles and trees were strewn about like children's toys and people were walking around shocked and emotionally battered. It was a...