Staff Member of the Month: Jessica Custer, Program Assistant III

April 24, 2025

jessicacuster

Where in MSS do you work?

I work in the Northwestern University Center on Outcomes Research and Education (NUCORE), a recharge center within the Department of Medical Social Sciences. NUCORE provides expert consultation, analysis, and training in outcomes research and informatics. Our services include:

Outcomes Measurement
Outcomes Study Design
Informatics Research and Implementation
HealthMeasures Curation and Distribution

HealthMeasures is a comprehensive brand developed and managed by NUCORE, housing a variety of measurement systems, including:

API Assessment Center Application Programming Interface
Epic PROMIS CAT application
PROMIS® (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System®)
Neuro-QoL
ASCQ-Me
NIH Toolbox® (Emotional Health Measures)
Translations of measures and tools into dozens of languages

NUCORE offers consulting services and licensing, translation, permissions, and software associated with the measures under the HealthMeasures brand. The PROMIS Health Organization (PHO), a non-profit professional membership organization, holds the copyright to all the PROMIS measures and their translations. NUCORE is the distribution partner with the PHO and the NIH – responsible for distributing the PROMIS measures and coordinating additional translations

What are your main responsibilities in your position?

Supporting Northwestern University Center on Outcomes Research and Education (NUCORE’s) administrative and financial functions, NUCORE onboarding, help desk support, collections, managing the NUCORE-HM listserv, and coordinating Epic PROMIS collaborative, meeting scheduling, and notetaking for HealthMeasures among other responsibilities.

What inspired you to join MSS, and what are you most excited about in your role?

MSS has shown me a warm community of supportive coworkers and provided me with opportunities to grow professionally and personally. I have gained valuable insights into patient-centered outcomes through working with HealthMeasures and attending PHO conferences. My favorite part of my job is onboarding new members to NUCORE. It is important to me that new team members feel a warm and clear welcome to MSS and HealthMeasures.

Can you tell us a bit about your background and previous experience?

I am an alumna of Ball State University with a theatre design and technology bachelor's degree. I also worked at Ball State University as an administrative assistant for international admissions. During COVID I worked as a contact tracer for the Indiana State Department of Health. Most recently, I worked with Northwestern's Materials Science and Engineering department supporting them as a program assistant before joining MSS.

What’s a fun fact about you that not many people know?

I am a big fan of documentaries.

How do you like to spend your free time outside of work?

I love being outdoors—preferably on a bike, swimming in the lake (even for a cold plunge), and kayaking. I attend regular storytelling events. Supporting my local breweries and trying new foods!

What’s one thing you’re passionate about in your field?

Connecting people to resources and colleagues.

Do you have any personal or professional goals you’re looking forward to achieving?

I want to learn how to sail! I also completed the Navigating Cultures in the Global Workplace workshop through Northwestern and am now a Northwestern Cultural Navigator! 🙂 Below is a photo of me with my cohort!

jessicacustercohort

What’s your favorite piece of advice or motto that guides you?

It's better to ask than assume!