Nora A. Helmus
Denver
Summary
Experienced program administrator with strong focus on team collaboration and advancing social care. Skilled in project management, communication, and problem-solving. Known for flexibility with changing needs and reliability in delivering outcomes. Prepared to make significant impact in dynamic environments.
Overview
1
1
Certification
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Program Expansion Coordinator
Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital
09.2023 - 08.2026
- Oversaw the practice's Ryan White Part B grant contract, including program reports and budgets, annual monitoring visits, and service expansion.
- Built and refined a Medical Case Management program, including policy creation, staff hiring and training, cross-department collaboration, and innovative program components.
- Conducted administrative and clinical supervision of the practice's Support Services Team, consisting of 4 direct reports.
- Refined and led the practice's Clinical Quality Management (CQM) program, including the development of a CQM Plan and facilitation of CQM committee meetings.
- Led weekly interdisciplinary case conferences to address urgent and complex patient care scenarios, often leading to swift resolution and enhanced problem-solving.
- Supported the growth and refinement of internal programs to address patient experiences with food insecurity, housing instability, and transportation barriers.
- Participated as a core member of the practice's leadership team to help guide sustainable service expansion, address department goals, and inform strategic planning.
- Entered data, generated reports, and produced tracking documents commensurate with grant management activities.
- Enhanced team communication by implementing bi-monthly team meetings, detailed project update emails, and identification of team-based values.
- Prioritized and managed multiple projects simultaneously, including a physical relocation, ensuring all met their deadlines and objectives without compromising quality.
- Hired, managed, developed and trained staff, established and monitored goals, and conducted performance reviews.
Independent Consultant
Infectious Diseases Clinic, Public Health Institute at Denver Health
08.2023 - 03.2025
- Provided consultative services and programmatic support for implementation and sustainability of a low-barrier, drop-in sub-clinic specific to HIV care engagement.
- Participated in meetings with funders and clinic team, including attendance at national conferences.
- Advised on best practices, community engagement and quality measures.
Clinic Administrator
Infectious Diseases Clinic, Public Health Institute at Denver Health
11.2020 - 06.2023
- Oversaw daily clinic operations, enhancing patient and staff satisfaction.
- Provided administrative support for federal grants, including budget proposals, annual monitoring visits, grant applications, and reporting requirements.
- Co-led the clinic's Quality Improvement program, ensuring alignment with service area initiatives and creating the infrastructure to support meaningful patient involvement.
- Participated as a core member of the clinic's leadership team to address programmatic needs and strategic planning,
- Led the design and implementation of a Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) project, centering routine screening and resourcing to address a range of social needs.
- Provided administrative supervision to a team of 5 direct reports, including hiring, onboarding, and performance-related activities.
- Provided field placement supervision to a Master of Social Work student throughout two academic years.
- Oversaw the clinic's Patient Advisory Council and community engagement efforts, increasing participation in a post-COVID-19 environment.
- Served on numerous clinic and department-level committees that focused on advancing health and racial equity and sustainable innovation.
Social Worker
Infectious Diseases Clinic, Public Health Institute at Denver Health
06.2013 - 11.2020
- Provided advanced clinical case management services in the context of a safety net institution, including resource obtainment, access to care, and insurance navigation, promoted harm reduction techniques and adherence counseling.
- Provided trauma-informed therapeutic counseling and promoted adjustment to illness through evidence-based approaches.
- Collaborated with the clinic's multidisciplinary team to provide optimal care within complex social circumstances.
- Partnered with community organizations to optimize patient care outcomes.
- Participated as an active member of various projects and committees.
Medical Social Worker
People First Hospice
05.2010 - 05.2013
- Participated as a member of the quality assurance committee.
- Provided clinical supervision to master's level interns to promote career development grounded in social work values.
- Provided patient/family-centered care specific to chronic and terminal conditions, including counseling, education, and grief support.
- Incorporated innovative, non-pharmacological interventions to promote emotional/psychological comfort.
- Conducted psychosocial and bereavement assessments to better understand unique needs and anticipate support opportunities.
- Assisted patients and family members with resource obtainment, facility placement, and advance care planning.
Medical Social Worker
VistaCare Hospice
06.2009 - 05.2010
- Participated as a member of the employee satisfaction committee.
- Coordinated and facilitated family meetings and care conferences to promote clear communication around goal-setting and collaboration among allied health professionals.
- Participated as a key member of the hospice interdisciplinary team by engaging in interprofessional collaboration and contributing updates and insights during weekly team meetings.
- Provided emotional support, grief counseling, and therapeutic interventions to patients and family members throughout the end-of-life journey.
- Conducted psychosocial assessments and discharge planning to respond to changes in physical and emotional health.
- Assisted patients and family members with resource obtainment and funeral planning.
MSW Intern
Swedish Medical Center
09.2008 - 05.2009
- Gained experience on various service units including oncology, critical care, multi-trauma, emergency department and a general medical floor.
- Conducted alcohol evaluations and initial assessments with patients.
- Provided appropriate crisis interventions strategies, discussing psychological stressors, adjustment factors, and advance care planning with patients and family members.
- Participated in discharge planning and communicated with medical staff and interdisciplinary teams, providing appropriate referrals to support health goals.
MSW Intern
The Conflict Center
09.2007 - 05.2008
- Provided administrative and facilitation support for annual Garden Tour fundraiser and community event.
- Assisted with curriculum program development and co-facilitated anger management classes to advance effective anger management techniques throughout the community.
- Assisted with a bullying prevention campaign at Denver North High School.
Education
Doctor of Social Work -
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Millersville, PA12-2026
Master of Social Work - undefined
University of Denver
Denver, CO01-2009
Bachelor of Science - Psychology, Biology
Eastern Mennonite University
Harrisonburg, VA01-2004
Affiliations
Professional Association of Social Workers in HIV/AIDS 2024-present
National Association of Social Workers 2024-2026
League of Women Voters 2024-2026
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization 2011-2013
Phi Alpha National Honor Society
(DU chapter) 2009
(MU chapter) 2025
Certification
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, License# CW023351. Issued January, 2023, Expires February, 2027.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, State of Colorado, License# 9923162. Issued February, 2013, Expires August, 2027.
Certified Social Work Manager, The Network for Social Work Management. Issued November, 2025, Expired December, 2026.
Advanced Leadership Training Program Graduate, Regional Institute of Health and Environmental Leadership (RIHEL), August 2021- May 2022. Program included self/peer assessment tools, emphasis on communication skills, coaching techniques, emotional intelligence and leadership behaviors, prioritization of leadership practices from a justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) framework.
Timeline
Program Expansion Coordinator
Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital
09.2023 - 08.2026
Independent Consultant
Infectious Diseases Clinic, Public Health Institute at Denver Health
08.2023 - 03.2025
Clinic Administrator
Infectious Diseases Clinic, Public Health Institute at Denver Health
11.2020 - 06.2023
Social Worker
Infectious Diseases Clinic, Public Health Institute at Denver Health
06.2013 - 11.2020
Medical Social Worker
People First Hospice
05.2010 - 05.2013
Medical Social Worker
VistaCare Hospice
06.2009 - 05.2010
MSW Intern
Swedish Medical Center
09.2008 - 05.2009
MSW Intern
The Conflict Center
09.2007 - 05.2008
Bachelor of Science - Psychology, Biology
Eastern Mennonite University
Master of Social Work - undefined
University of Denver
Doctor of Social Work -
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Awards
Annual “Live Your Legacy” Team Award, 2025
Presented by Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health for a team whose actions, accomplishments, and attitude exceed expectations to create an extraordinary experience for patients, colleagues and/or the community.
Annual “Living our Values” Award, 2021
Presented by Denver Health Medical Center for the institution's value of Relentlessness.
Dorothea C. Spellman Award, 2009
Presented by the Colorado Society for Clinical Social Work for an individual paper demonstrating outstanding knowledge of and commitment to clinical social work.