Occupational Health & Well-being

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:

• Bloodborne Pathogen Program
• Respiratory Protection
• COVID-19 Staff Safety, Workplace Illness Resources, and Testing
• Point of Dispensing Program (POD)
• CityStrong 

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 Employees. 

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.

Tyesha McCool-Riley

CityStrong Mental Health Program Specialist

The mental health program works to build support, destigmatize, promote awareness of, and increase proactivity toward mental health and wellness. In her role, Tyesha provides practical tools, resources, education and training related to mental health. She believes providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment should be a priority at the City, and that "Those who have the power and position should empower and advocate for all persons of marginalized and oppressed groups whose voices are often unheard, unacknowledged, and minimized." She has many years of experience as a practicing Mental Health Therapist and as an addictions counselor. She also has worked in various capacities with women, children, and families who have experienced various adverse circumstances that include sexual abuse, addiction, domestic violence, DHS involvement, involvement in the criminal justice system, and other circumstance that had a significant impact on their lives and mental health. She is enthusiastic about empowering the voiceless to have a voice through equity, access, inclusion, advocacy, and trauma informed therapy practices. Tyesha is a Portland native, born and raised in inner North and Northeast Portland. She enjoys spending quality time with her family, watching DIY television, and going on nature walks. 

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 coordinating and delivering services such as vaccines, 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.