Zaina Lee

Transformational healthcare leader with more than 10 years of progressive experience directing behavioral health services, leading multidisciplinary clinical teams, and improving healthcare operations across state-operated developmental centers, forensic psychiatric hospitals, community mental health organizations, nonprofit agencies, and private practice settings. Proven success developing high-performing teams, implementing evidence-based clinical programs, strengthening regulatory compliance, improving quality outcomes, and driving strategic initiatives that enhance patient care and organizational performance. Recognized for collaborative leadership, operational excellence, staff development, interdisciplinary partnership, and building sustainable systems that improve access, quality, safety, and continuity of care for diverse patient populations.

Clinical Director - Ann Kiley Developmental Center - Waukegan, Illinois

(2025-04)

Provide executive leadership for clinical operations within a state-operated developmental center, ensuring delivery of safe, high-quality, person-centered behavioral healthcare.

• Direct multidisciplinary clinical teams by providing supervision, coaching, performance management, and professional development.
• Lead strategic planning and implementation of clinical initiatives designed to improve patient outcomes, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
• Oversee admissions, discharges, psychological assessments, treatment planning, and patient care monitoring across the organization.
• Develop, revise, and implement facility-wide clinical policies, operational procedures, and practice standards.
• Partner with executive leadership to establish organizational priorities, evaluate program effectiveness, and support long-term strategic objectives.
• Chair and participate in leadership committees focused on quality improvement, patient safety, compliance, and organizational performance.
• Serve as Administrator on Duty (AOD), providing executive decision-making during operational and clinical emergencies.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and clinical excellence.

Social Worker IV - Illinois Department of Human Services – Elgin Mental Health Center

(2022-01 - 2024-03)

Provided clinical leadership within a high-acuity forensic psychiatric setting serving individuals with severe mental illness and intellectual/developmental disabilities.

• Collaborated with psychiatrists, psychologists, nursing leadership, and rehabilitation professionals to coordinate comprehensive treatment planning.
• Influenced interdisciplinary clinical decision-making by providing expert psychosocial assessments and evidence-based recommendations.
• Led discharge planning initiatives that strengthened continuity of care and successful community reintegration.
• Served as a trusted liaison between hospital leadership, community providers, families, and governmental agencies.
• Promoted compliance with Joint Commission standards, Illinois Rule 132 requirements, and hospital policies through timely documentation and clinical oversight.
• Supported organizational goals by mentoring colleagues and contributing to continuous quality improvement initiatives.

Therapist - Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (Chicago Public Schools Program)

(2018-09 - 2022-09)

Managed a complex behavioral health caseload while serving as a clinical resource for colleagues and interdisciplinary teams.

• Coordinated care among schools, healthcare providers, community agencies, and families to improve service delivery and patient outcomes.
• Led treatment planning meetings and facilitated collaborative decision-making across multiple systems of care.
• Strengthened access to behavioral health services through community partnerships and referral network development.
• Maintained regulatory compliance while promoting best practices in clinical documentation and quality care.
• Contributed to organizational initiatives focused on improving clinical effectiveness and service coordination.

Outpatient Partial Hospitalization Program Therapist - Streamwood Behavioral Healthcare System

(2016-04 - 2018-06)

Delivered leadership within an intensive outpatient behavioral health program serving adolescents and young adults experiencing acute psychiatric conditions.

• Coordinated multidisciplinary treatment planning with physicians, nursing, and clinical staff to ensure integrated patient care.
• Led crisis intervention efforts and facilitated therapeutic programming that supported patient stabilization and recovery.
• Assisted in maintaining operational standards, regulatory compliance, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Mentored newer staff members while promoting collaboration and consistent implementation of evidence-based practices.

Psychiatric Assessment Specialist / Social Worker - Human Resources Development Institute (HRDI)

(2014-05 - 2017-05)

Led comprehensive psychiatric assessment and care coordination efforts for individuals with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders.

• Directed interdisciplinary discharge planning to improve care transitions and reduce avoidable hospital readmissions.
• Coordinated healthcare services across hospitals, outpatient providers, community agencies, and residential programs.
• Facilitated communication among physicians, clinical teams, community partners, and families to support continuity of care.
• Championed patient-centered care planning while ensuring compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Supported organizational goals through leadership in care coordination, workflow optimization, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Mental Health Social Worker - Riveredge Hospital - Forest Park, Illinois

(2013-07 - 2015-06)

Delivered comprehensive behavioral health services within an inpatient psychiatric hospital while serving as a collaborative member of the interdisciplinary leadership team.

• Coordinated treatment planning, crisis intervention, and discharge planning to improve patient outcomes.
• Built strong partnerships among physicians, nursing staff, families, and community providers to ensure seamless transitions of care.
• Demonstrated leadership in maintaining regulatory compliance, documentation quality, and evidence-based treatment practices.
• Contributed to a culture of patient safety, accountability, and continuous quality improvement.

Master of Social Work - Social Work - Loyola University Chicago

Master of Education - Education - University of the Rockies

Master of Health Services Administration - Health Services Administration - National Louis University