Operation Restoration Celebrates Seventh Cohort of Lab Assistant Program Graduates

Written By Alicia Vial

New Orleans —A dozen women impacted by incarceration have achieved something many thought nearly impossible eight weeks ago. That's when they began an intensive Lab Assistant Rapid Reskilling Program to train as certified medical laboratory assistants. After completing the program, the students receive certificates in a graduation ceremony on Friday, May 10, noon–2 p.m.

This marks the seventh cohort of the program. Receiving certification can be life changing for women impacted by incarceration. The innovative program is also a dream come true for Syrita Steib, founder of Operation Restoration, who envisioned it more than a decade ago on the first day of her own job in a clinical laboratory.

Steib developed the lab assistant training program as part of a fellowship with 500 Women Scientists. Steib, a licensed and certified clinical laboratory scientist, and Operation Restoration are also founding partners in the national STEM-OPS network that promotes science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning opportunities for people in prisons.

WHO:            Graduates of Operation Restoration’s Lab Assistant Rapid Reskilling Program

WHAT:           Graduation Ceremony

WHEN:           Friday, May 10, noon–2 p.m.

WHERE:         9301 Lake Forest Blvd, Ste. 116, New Orleans East

WHY:              Commemorating the completion of eight-week program

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About Operation Restoration: The mission of Operation Restoration is to support women and girls impacted by incarceration to recognize their full potential, restore their lives and discover new possibilities. Additional information about the programs and services offered by Operation Restoration is available at www.or-nola.org

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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