Nichelle Thomas

I started my career as a clinical laboratory scientist and worked in that field for 15 years before being approached by a recruiter through LinkedIn for an opportunity in medical device sales. I've now been with Abbott Laboratories for 4 years, working specifically for Abbott Diagnostics in core chemistry and immunoassay testing. As a Senior Sales Ambassador, I am the only Abbott ambassador here in Missouri and Southern Illinois, and I cover 30 hospital accounts across this territory. My role is very broad - I develop and execute existing account plans to ensure customer satisfaction, monitor brand movement, pricing, and distribution, and build and sustain business relationships with my key accounts. I travel extensively throughout Missouri and Southern Illinois, from Jefferson City to Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale, and El Dorado. I manage major health systems like SSM, which expands across Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, and Wisconsin, and I take care of 10 SSM sites in my territory. I also work with BJC, where I was able to gain and keep their business for one of our top testing services. I assess customer operations and identify opportunities for operational and service improvement, and I work to renew business early through RFPs. If I've done a great job providing services and making sure all their needs are taken care of, hospitals will renew their contracts with us and extend another 5 to 10 years. I am the middleman between the customer and Abbott, and I make sure that all their needs are taken care of, they're not dissatisfied, and they're happy. I also provide and assist with any training, integration, and validations with all my key accounts, and because I'm still a clinical lab scientist in that aspect, I'll help with their testing to make sure QC and everything is validated so patient testing can continue and prosper and move forward.