Sharon Parks-Mandel CV

541 SW Danbury Lane
Topeka, KS 66606

Phone: 785-221-5728
Email: smandel1@cox.net

Education

BS – Kansas State University – 1977 Anthropology -  Magna Cum Laude

MA – Kansas State University – 1981 Geography

BA – Washburn University – 1995 Criminal Justice - Honors

Teaching Experience

1978-79 – Kansas State University, GTA Department of Geography – Courses in Cartography, Physical Geography, and Human Osteology.

1998-2008 – Kansas State University, Department of Anthropology – Team taught winter intercession class on Forensic Science and death investigation - Supervisor Dr. Michael Finnegan. 

2005-06 – Washburn University, Department of Criminal Justice – Team taught two-semester class on Death Investigation and Forensic Science.

2015 – Present – Substitute Teacher – Teach classes from pre-K to high school for the USD 501 School District, Topeka, KS.

Professional Experience

December 2011 – Present – Chief Investigator, Frontier Forensics Midwest.

Responsible for investigating the cause and manner of deaths for our clients, which include 50 Counties in Kansas, 20 Counties in Missouri and private family and attorney autopsy requests.  Duties include communicating in a direct and compassionate manner with families, law enforcement agencies, insurance companies, medical providers and funeral homes.

July 1996 – December 2011 - Chief Medical Investigator, Shawnee County Coroner's Office.   Duties included managing the investigative functions, forensic technologists, and administrative functions of the office.  Prepared annual budgets, managed purchasing and human resource functions and assured compliance with OSHA regulations.  Actively involved in community education and training programs to law enforcement and medical personnel.  Conducted field investigations and worked closely with various law enforcement agencies, medical offices, State agencies, funeral homes, hospitals, and families affected by their involvement with the Coroner's Office.

June 1981 - July 1995 – Strategic Planner/Vice President, Stormont-Vail Healthcare Responsible for the planning and implementation of long range plans for the healthcare system.  Direct management responsibility for five departments within the health care system: Planning, Marketing and Communication, Women’s Center, Pozez Education Center, Auxiliary and Volunteer program.

May 1979 – May 1981 – Planner, PSRO
Responsible for statistical analysis of Medicare data for the State of Kansas.