Theresa McMullen
MSN, RN, CNL
Chicago,IL
Summary
MSN-prepared Registered Nurse and Clinical Nurse Leader with more than seven years of progressive experience within a nationally recognized academic medical center. Experienced in clinical operations, multidisciplinary care coordination, workflow improvement, complex patient navigation, program development, and quality initiatives across inpatient and ambulatory settings.
Known for building structured clinical programs, improving workflows, developing operational tools, mentoring clinicians, and coordinating complex care across physicians, specialty departments, insurers, and community providers. Combines clinical expertise with a foundation in business, client management, and entrepreneurship to solve operational challenges and improve both patient and organizational outcomes.
Overview
1
1
Certification
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Inpatient Adult RN Case Manager
UChicago Medicine
01.2025 - 04.2025
- Conducted comprehensive assessments of patients' needs, developing individualized care strategies for up to 10 new patients a day
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to facilitate effective communication and holistic patient management.
- Monitored and evaluated progress of patient conditions, adjusting care plans of up to 17 patients a day, as necessary for optimal results.
- Coordinated complex discharge planning for hospitalized adult patients within a nationally recognized academic medical center.
- Partnered with Medicare, Medicaid, commercial insurers, and post-acute providers to obtain authorizations and coordinate services supporting continuity of care.
- Reviewed clinical documentation to align discharge planning with patient needs, payer requirements, and organizational goals
- Identified barriers to discharge and collaborated across disciplines to develop practical solutions supporting efficient patient throughput and quality care.
- Responded promptly and professionally to patient questions and concerns while managing administrative discharge expectations- focusing on alignment with industry best practices and institutional policy.
Physician Resource Nurse- Vascular Surgery MALS
UChicago Medicine
03.2023 - 01.2025
- Helped develop and coordinate a comprehensive multidisciplinary care pathway for patients undergoing evaluation and treatment for Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS), guiding patients from initial referral through one-year postoperative follow-up.
- Developed operational infrastructure supporting the MALS program, including patient tracking systems, standardized workflows, communication templates, provider resources, patient education materials, and referral documentation.
- Designed patient-facing and provider-facing resources including welcome packets, work-up checklists, primary care guidance, surgical education materials, support group information, and individualized patient communications.
- Created and maintained a longitudinal patient tracking system monitoring progress through referral, diagnostic testing, behavioral health evaluation, insurance requirements, surgery, recovery, and discharge from the program.
- Reviewed and synthesized extensive outside medical records into organized clinical summaries supporting physician evaluation and surgical decision-making, utilizing excel to organize multiple patient data sets and internal decisional tracking for interdisciplinary team members on up to 70 patients at a time.
- Coordinated care across surgeons, behavioral health, anesthesia, imaging, scheduling, financial assistance, insurance providers, and referring physicians to remove barriers affecting treatment progression.
- Served as the primary clinical liaison for patients and families navigating highly complex treatment decisions, providing education, expectation setting, emotional support, and continuity throughout the surgical journey.
- Proposed and helped implement a collaborative nursing inbox coverage workflow that improved workload distribution and reduced delays in patient communication during staff absences while maintaining provider preferences.
- Utilized electronic health record systems to document patient interactions and track progress effectively.
- Educated patients on health management strategies, promoting adherence to treatment regimens.
- Mentored junior staff in clinical protocols and best practices for patient engagement.
- Served as the primary clinical liaison for patients and families navigating highly complex treatment decisions, providing education, expectation setting, emotional support, and continuity throughout the surgical journey.
- Proposed and helped implement a collaborative nursing inbox coverage workflow that improved workload distribution and reduced delays in patient communication during staff absences while maintaining provider preferences.
- Designed patient-facing and provider-facing resources including welcome packets, work-up checklists, primary care guidance, surgical education materials, support group information, and individualized patient communications.
- Created and maintained a longitudinal patient tracking system monitoring progress through referral, diagnostic testing, behavioral health evaluation, insurance requirements, surgery, recovery, and discharge from the program.
- Reviewed and synthesized extensive outside medical records into organized clinical summaries supporting physician evaluation and surgical decision-making.
- Coordinated care across surgeons, behavioral health, anesthesia, imaging, scheduling, financial assistance, insurance providers, and referring physicians to remove barriers affecting treatment progression.
Staff Nurse | Supplemental Telemetry Float Pool
UChicago Medicine
09.2021 - 01.2023
- Delivered nursing care across multiple specialty units, adapting quickly to diverse patient populations and clinical environments.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to provide safe, high-quality patient care in high-acuity settings.
- Frequently precepted and mentored newly licensed nurses, fostering confidence, critical thinking, and sound clinical judgment
- Implemented infection control protocols, enhancing patient safety and reducing hospital-acquired infections.
- Educated patients on self-care management, empowering them to take an active role in their overall health and wellbeing.
- Acted as a patient advocate, ensuring their needs were met and their rights protected throughout their healthcare journey.
Staff Nurse - Cardiology & Observation
UChicago Medicine
01.2018 - 09.2021
- Managed care for complex cardiovascular patients, including ventricular assist device (VAD) patients and individuals with acute cardiac conditions.
- Developed individualized care plans and educated patients and families regarding disease management, medications, and post-discharge care.
- Served as CAUTI Quality Champion, supporting evidence-based quality improvement initiatives.
- Collaborated closely with physicians and multidisciplinary teams to coordinate complex patient care.
- Monitored vital signs, assessed patient conditions, and documented changes in electronic health records accurately.
- Participated in quality improvement projects aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and patient safety standards.
- Coordinated patient discharge planning to provide post-discharge patient care, promoting healing and recovery.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
Co-Owner & Operations Manager
Fotio
10.2012 - 08.2016
- Co-owned and managed daily business operations including scheduling, budgeting, event logistics, customer service, marketing, and vendor coordination.
- Managed multiple concurrent projects while delivering high-quality customer experiences.
- Developed operational processes that improved organization and efficiency.
- Built and maintained strong client relationships through exceptional communication and service.
- Developed and implemented marketing initiatives to increase brand visibility and sales.
- Oversaw hiring processes, training programs, and performance evaluations for staff development.
- Established foundational processes for business operations.
- Maintained compliance with industry regulations and legal requirements through diligent oversight of business practices.
- Networked with other businesses and customers to increase sales opportunities and contacts.
- Collaborated with co-owner on strategic planning initiatives for long-term business success
- Optimized business to include 2-5 additional employees when needed, and allow for 5-8 events per weekend, with additional weekday openings.
Account Executive
Purohit Navigation
05.2008 - 05.2011
- Developed and maintained strong client relationships to drive account growth for 4 clients and 6 brands.
- Conducted market research to identify new business opportunities and trends.
- Managed pharmaceutical client accounts while coordinating project timelines, budgets, deliverables, and cross-functional communication.
- Conducted competitive market analyses and translated findings into strategic recommendations and compelling proposals to secure new contracts and renewals for healthcare clients.
- Built strong client relationships while managing multiple priorities in a deadline-driven agency environment.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to deliver tailored solutions for clients.
- Conducted regular check-ins with existing clients to assess their needs and identify upselling opportunities.
- Early adopter to proposing and implementing internet, and online strategies, such as online training modules, email databases, and interactive patient engagement in the pharmaceutical sector.
Education
Master of Science - Clinical Nurse Leader
Rush
Chicago, IL08.2017
Master of Science - Business Administration And Economics
Monmouth College
Monmouth05.2008
Skills
- Clinical Operations
- Program Development
- Care Coordination and Transitions
- Process Improvement
- Workflow Optimization
- Patient Navigation and Experience
- Cross-functional Collaboration
- Clinical Documentation Review
- Healthcare Quality
- Staff Mentorship
- Medicare & Medicaid / Commercial Insurance
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Stakeholder Communication
- Direct and Indirect Patient Care
- EMR / EHR /EPIC
- Discharge Planning
- Medical Records Management
- Chronic Disease Management
- HIPAA Compliance
Certification
Registered Nurse (RN) IL License expires 05/2028
Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Certified expires 12/2027
Timeline
Inpatient Adult RN Case Manager
UChicago Medicine
01.2025 - 04.2025
Physician Resource Nurse- Vascular Surgery MALS
UChicago Medicine
03.2023 - 01.2025
Staff Nurse | Supplemental Telemetry Float Pool
UChicago Medicine
09.2021 - 01.2023
Staff Nurse - Cardiology & Observation
UChicago Medicine
01.2018 - 09.2021
Co-Owner & Operations Manager
Fotio
10.2012 - 08.2016
Account Executive
Purohit Navigation
05.2008 - 05.2011
Master of Science - Clinical Nurse Leader
Rush
Master of Science - Business Administration And Economics
Monmouth College