Darshana Saravanan

About the Candidate

Darshana Saravanan

sdarshu.saravanan@gmail.com – linkedin.com/in/darshanasaravanans/- Ottawa, ON

BSc Neuroscience graduate and incoming Master’s Candidate in Public Policy and Administration at Carleton University with three years of experience in education and clinical administration. I possess a strong background in long-term residential and patient care and am seeking an administrative role within the community health field. My experience includes acting as a primary point of contact for clientele, effectively maintaining customer relations, and handling diverse administrative tasks such as record-keeping, managing digital and physical filing systems, updating databases, and processing reports and documentation. I ensure compliance with policies with accuracy and timeliness. Proficient in MS Office and familiar with database software. I excel in building rapport and establishing relationships. I am well-prepared to contribute effectively to your team and support the community’s needs.

Education

Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS

• Bachelor of Science, Neuroscience (September 2020 – May 2024)
• Undergraduate Certificate in Science Communications and Leadership – Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS
• Undergraduate Certificate in Neurotechnology and Innovation – Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS

Carleton University, Ottawa, ON

• Master’s in Public Policy and Administration (September 2024 – present)

Relevant Experience

Advocacy Volunteer, Arthritis Society Canada – Ottawa, ON

July 2024 – Present

• Utilized strong communication skills to advocate for arthritis-related issues, promoting awareness and driving social change. Engaged in advocacy meetings, adapting to current policy and legislative needs. Ensured consistent volunteer engagement for effective campaign execution and provided input for advocacy campaigns to address key issues effectively.

Student Clerk, Dalhousie University, Registrar’s Office – Halifax, NS

September 2021 – May 2024

• Facilitated administrative procedures including verification, processing, and filing of documents for university applications. Utilized Microsoft Excel for report compilation and organization of student data, enhancing workflow efficiency. Delivered exceptional customer service through prompt responses to email inquiries, phone calls, and live chats with diverse customers including students, parents, professors, and other clients.

Administrative Assistant, Atlantic Assisted Reproductive Therapies (AART) – Halifax, NS

January 2024 – March 2024

• Managed patient records, including updating charts, processing lab results and appointments, and handling billing transactions. Ensured accuracy and completeness of patient records by transcribing lab results, medical procedure letters, and other pertinent medical information.

Friendly Calls Volunteer, Red Cross Canada – Halifax, NS

July 2022 – Present

• Conducted weekly outreach calls, fostering meaningful connections and mitigating loneliness. Facilitated access to community resources for additional support as required.

Volunteer & Program Lead, Arborstone Enhanced Care by Shannex – Halifax, NS

January 2023 – April 2024

• Led weekly engagement initiatives for long-term care residents to foster social interaction and mental stimulation through tailored activities such as reading groups and arts and crafts sessions. Designed and facilitated programs targeting isolation and loneliness among aging populations, promoting community and enhancing overall well-being.

Experiential Learning

Experiential Learning in Science Communications – Dalhousie University – Halifax, NS

September 2022 – April 2023

• Led engaging lab sessions for 60 students, covering diverse topics such as depth perception, memory, social psychology, intelligence, development, and emotional processing. Collaborated with prefects to develop compelling lecture content, lab assignments, and grading criteria. Conducted office hours, graded assignments, and offered detailed feedback to ensure students’ comprehension and success in the course.

Leadership in Science – Dalhousie University – Halifax, NS

September 2023 – December 2023

• Designed and conducted a workshop for first-year science students, fostering scientific inquiry and problem-solving aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals. Led interest groups to guide first-year students in exploring neuroscience and other academic and career paths, enhancing their future prospects and interests.

Science Innovation – Dalhousie University x Surge Innovation – Halifax, NS

September 2023 – April 2024

• Led the development of a tailored recreational program for long-term care residents in local retirement homes, integrating needs assessment, community outreach, and business model testing. Applied human-centred design, qualitative research, and Value Proposition Canvas to identify societal challenges, explore solutions, and assess commercial viability.

Committees

HDNS Data Access Committee, Patient/Public Partner – Health Data Nova Scotia

March 2024 – Present

• Review and analyze requests for secondary data analysis to support research and quality assessment, uphold privacy standards and ensure confidentiality of Maritimers’ personal health information.

OurCare Priorities Panel, Nova Scotia, Panelist – Ourcare

May 2023 – July 2023

• Co-authored a pivotal report urging the provincial government to establish a clear vision statement for accessible, timely, and equitable primary healthcare for all Nova Scotians based on the following values: people-centred, empathy, knowledge empowerment, accountability, affordability, and wellness promotion.

Certifications

• Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C, Canadian Red Cross – November 2022
• TCPS 2, Core 2022, Government of Canada – January 2023
• Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), The Ottawa Hospital – May 2023
• Nonviolent Crisis Intervention 2nd Edition (CPI), Crisis Prevention Institute – April 2023
• Violence in Workplace Training (P1, P2), Carecor Health Services – May 2023
• Worker Health and Safety Awareness in Four Steps, Government of Ontario – April 2023