Occupational Health & Well-being

Information
Occupational Health & Wellness program is to ensure that all personnel work safely and effectively during their careers and maintain healthy lifestyle choices continuing into their retirement.

The Occupational Health & Well-being program helps employees work safely and make healthy lifestyle choices throughout their career, continuing into retirement. The team works with staff to address their health risks while managing exposures on the job. Through the CityStrong program they also offer education, resources, and support to attain balance and well-being.

The concept of total wellness recognizes that our every thought, word, and behavior affects our greater health and well-being. And we, in turn, are affected not only emotionally but also physically and spiritually.”  - Greg Anderson

Programs offered include:

For more information about employee health services such as vaccine clinics, COVID-19 support, and bloodborne pathogen training, employees may visit: Occupational Health & Well-being-Portland EmployeesImage removed.

Meet the Team

Joel Michels, MSN, FNP-BC (he/him)

Occupational Health and Well-being Program Manager

Joel is a board-certified family nurse practitioner who works with bureaus and City employees directly to manage workplace exposures and promote health & safety through awareness and prevention campaigns including vaccinations, health screenings, and on-site trainings.  Joel also promotes well-being in his work with CityStrong and the Bureau of Human Resources (BHR) leadership team. He embraces wellness personally though an active lifestyle that includes skiing, jogging, playing disc golf and enjoying plant-based meals.

Courtney Gilmore (she/her)

CityStrong Health and Well-being Program Manager

Courtney Gilmore is the CityStrong Health and Well-being Program Manager for the City of Portland, with over 15 years of experience in health education, behavior change, mental well-being, and coordinating employee assistance programs (EAP). Courtney holds a BS in Exercise Science from George Mason University. In addition, she is a certified WellCoaches Health Coach, Worksite Wellness Specialist, Mental Health First Aid Instructor, and Yoga Teacher. Courtney is originally from Bedford, Virginia, and enjoys reading, cooking, crocheting, and spending time with her loved ones.

Desirée Costello, CCMA (she/her)

Occupational Health + Well-being Coordinator & Medical Assistant

Desirée is a certified medical assistant with over 15 years of experience nurturing and advocating for people in their health and well-being journeys. This history has included work as a clinical practice manager, medical assistant & trainer, birth and postpartum doula, peer counselor, water exercise instructor, and lifeguard trainer. She supports the City’s program through process improvement and researching/teaching best practices. She aids in scheduling and delivering services including vaccinations, blood-draws, biometric screening, and other on-site programming. Desirée is also the liaison for the City’s Prehire Evaluations Program, which includes Physical Capacities Testing for candidates. Desirée views community connection as vital to one’s well-being and puts this into practice by cooking meals for friends & neighbors in times of need.