Today's Featured Biography

 
Suzanne Irwin Kiffmann

Hi All,

Thanks for stopping by. Life has been quite an experience. Not at all what I envisioned when I got my bachelors degree in microbiology and my medical technologists license after graduating from Yuma Union in 1960! Actually much of it has had little to do with my formal training.

SCUBA
I like meeting new challenges, although I admit I was unprepared for my recent diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease. My company, SeaSigns, Inc. keeps me busy in body and mind. I teach SCUBA instructors to teach divers to communicate underwater using American Sign Language (ASL) based system. Luckily I am able to give classes by webcam to instructors all around the world. I started the company after diving with my baby brother and his deaf daughter. I saw them communicate easily underwater while I had no idea of what was going on.
I have loved scuba diving since I learned to dive in 1983. I have aided with marine research in Australia; Bonaire, Netherland Antilles: and Baja California, Mexico as well as diving many places including the southern coast of California, Baja California, the Indian Ocean and the Great Barrier Reef off Australia, Fiji, the Red Sea off Egypt, and a number of diving spots around the Carribean. I combined my experience diving worldwide with my background in many areas to create SeaSigns.
As in all my projects I researched literature extensively then created and carried out my plans. Where feasible I tested results to assure they meet specifications. In this case I researched signs, evaluated them for suitability, and determined which methods worked best for teaching signs to divers. I wrote the scripts and manuals and also shot and edited the video. I then created and produced general ASL based vocabulary and organism identification DVD videos and manuals for divers using an innovative presentation technique. For more information look for SeaSigns, Inc.

I enjoy nature, factual medical shows, CSI type shows on TV, and science based science fiction shows. Currently Scuba dive, snorkel, kayak, hike, explore nature above & below the water and exercise on my Total Gym.
My favorite destinations are anywhere I can explore nature, both under and above the water.


WRITING & FORM DESIGN
Although I never considered myself good in English, I know how to research things to solve problems, so I ended up so in several cases I found myself writing and creating forms for what I had written.
* Wrote and edited laboratory the researched procedures, tested reagent and equipment techniques, and modified the methods in the clinical lab where I worked for about 20 years to meet laboratory requirements. I created several hundred work, quality, and report forms to to increase accuracy, efficiency, and understandability.
* Researched, wrote, as well as created real estate forms unique to How to Sell Your Home without a Broker published by John Wiley & Sons (now in 4th edition.) My coauthors content edited it.
* Researched, wrote procedures, and designed forms Designed forms for use by a Volunteer Center of United Way in San Diego for processing community volunteers resulting in a more than 500% increase in community volunteers referred to member agencies in late 1980s.
* Researched and designed numerous forms used by a child care and an infant care centers to conduct their businesses.
* Determined requirements, designed business forms and sign graphics for the state of the art locksmith and security business.

MECHANICAL DRAWING CLASS PAY OFF
Thanks to Mr. Turley¿s high school mechanical drawing class I got involved in some fun projects although I had no more formal training in the subject:
* Created concept drawing 2000 square foot home used by architect to design working drawings for a $720,000 home located at Martinez Lake, Arizona in mid 1960s.
* Determined requirements and prepared plans for converting a 7,500-square foot facility into a child care center, including interior and exterior modifications and spacial usage in mid 1980s.
* Revised landscape architect¿s plans for child care center playground resulting in a 67% savings in mid 1980's.
* Designed marketing materials featuring graphics of the available spaces floor plans that I drew which were used by a real estate development and management company to bring the vacancy rate on commercial/industrial buildings from about 40% to 80%.
* Created concept drawing for an addition to an existing gas station used by architect to design working drawing for a San Diego mini market in late 1990's.

OTHER INFORMATION
* Can communicate somewhat in Spanish, German, and American Sign Language.
* Currently Scuba dive, snorkel, kayak, hike, explore nature above & below the water and exercise on my Total Gym.
* Like most types of music depending on my mood. I enjoy nature, factual medical shows, CSI type shows on TV, and science based science fiction shows.
* Provided medical aid in Baja California, Mexico and Colombia, South America during the 1960s.    
* I have 2 children whom my ex-husband and I adopted from Yuma. (I have quit saying they are Yumans since it sounds like humans. A true Yuman, my son spent his first week in a lettuce box - better than being a cabbage patch kid!)

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