Throughout my education and career, my passion for health, safety, prevention and wellness has been a driving force. Since high school, I’ve been teaching various fitness, wellness and prevention classes to people of all different ages and backgrounds. I also was one of the oldest of eight siblings growing up. We were all very adventurous and active. I quickly realized the importance of safety and identifying risks at a young age.
Before pursuing my graduate degree in public health, I spent 10 years working in human resources and safety. Throughout this career, I continued to comprehend the vital role that safety and wellness play – not just for organizations, but also for individuals in their professional and personal lives. During the practicum and fieldwork of my graduate degree, I obtained experience and awareness in numerous areas such as epidemiology, occupational health and emergency safety. These experiences and education led me to choose my current role as an employee safety specialist.
Witnessing the dedication, empathy and sacrifices made by health care workers every day inspires me. I’m fortunate to work with remarkable teams and professionals with diverse backgrounds and expertise. For me, I find a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment knowing that my efforts can improve the health and well-being of others.
Another thrilling aspect of working in safety is that it’s continuously evolving. I believe that being involved in safety and wellness opens many opportunities for continuous learning and innovation. Whether it’s preventing workplace violence, improving patient handling equipment or adapting physical work environments to improve staff safety, I continue to learn something new each day.
Kalaigh Sullivan, BS, MPH, CPS
Employee Safety Specialist
Henry Ford Health
