On the Job: Candace Caldwell and Michael Varallo

Last October, Candace Caldwell made a big move—relocating from Portland, Oregon to Philadelphia to join the Department of Surgery. As the Department’s first Operations Analyst, she’s taking on a variety of evolving responsibilities. Among them: data analysis and reporting, expense tracking and process improvement. With a degree from Oregon State University in Public Health, Health Management and Policy, Caldwell enjoys using data to tell a story about current performance and identify opportunities to improve in the future. She said she also enjoys collaborating with her colleagues. For Caldwell, exploring a new city has brought some surprises. For example, she’s still adjusting to Philly weather (Portland stays green in winter). Even more surprising: the warmth and friendliness of her co-workers and neighbors. “People warned me about an abrupt, cold attitude,” she recalls. “But that hasn’t happened at all. Everyone is so nice.” One of those friendly co-workers is Michael Varallo, who started as the Department’s Business Manager on Christmas Eve 2018. It’s a role that brought the 34-year-old South Philly native full circle: he started working at Jefferson at age 16 as a runner for the Department of Surgery, a job he held through college. After graduating from Neumann University with a degree in Finance, Varallo began working in Thomas Jefferson University’s Controller’s Office. Since then, he has moved through progressively responsible positions within the Jefferson enterprise. As Business Manager, Varallo is responsible for planning and tracking the Department’s budget and managing profit-and-loss statements to ensure revenues and costs are properly accounted for. Outside work, Varallo and his fiancée are settling in to a new home in the suburbs and planning their October wedding. Looking to this next phase of his life, Varallo jokes, “I’ve put myself on a budget!