JOHN L. MAHALIK
Centennial,CO
Summary
Dynamic healthcare administration professional with over 20 years of experience specializing in quality management, regulatory compliance, and integrated care. Expertise in leading high-performing quality management teams and developing innovative performance measurement strategies. Proven track record in ensuring accreditation and regulatory compliance while delivering exceptional behavioral health services. Committed to driving continuous improvement and enhancing patient outcomes through strategic leadership and collaboration.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
National Quality Management Director
Carelon Behavioral Health/Elevence Health
03.2024 - 07.2025
- Led and managed West region quality management team (12 FTEs) and implemented national quality client services team (15 FTEs), facilitating Lean continuous quality improvement (CQI) and coordinating with clinical, provider quality, network management, and operational teams in managed care, health administrative services organization.
- Developed and implemented performance improvement measures (HEDIS) strategy, leading inter-departmental teams from project conceptualization to evaluation, improving health and wellness of West region members (Medicaid, Medicare, D-SNP, Commercial lines of business).
- Oversaw quality management program, facilitating improved quality of care, safety, and outcomes, including social determinants/health equity, and executed strategic vision with Carelon Behavioral Health leadership in alignment with NCQA accreditation standards.
Director of Quality Management
Carelon Behavioral Health/Elevence Health
09.2020 - 03.2024
- Led and managed Colorado market quality management team (8 FTEs), attaining 100% audit scores from the State of Colorado by coordinating with clinical, provider quality, network, and operational teams.
- Applied performance improvement methods, enhancing HEDIS metrics for Health First Colorado members' health outcomes by 30% through leading interdepartmental teams from project conceptualization to evaluation.
- Advanced public health agenda and developed quality improvement initiatives based on data and evidence-based practices, maintaining high levels of regulatory compliance.
Staff Psychologist
Deer Oaks Behavioral Health Organization
06.2020 - 09.2020
- Delivered clinically effective psychological and psychiatric services to residents of long-term care and assisted living facilities, improving patient outcomes and promoting continuous quality improvement.
- Operated within integrated health and rehabilitation settings, providing geropsychology and rehabilitation psychology services, enhancing service consistency and process improvement.
- Coordinated integrated care with behavioral health professionals, residents’ families, nurses, and physicians, ensuring seamless care transitions, improved patient well-being, and enhanced quality of care.
Director of Assessment, Outpatient Clinician
Denver Springs Behavioral Health Hospital
07.2019 - 06.2020
- Led assessment team (12 FTEs), collaborating with hospital executives and senior management to enhance patient care and regulatory compliance in relation to Joint Commission accreditation standards.
- Facilitated Intensive Outpatient Programming (IOP) for adult patients with dual disorder diagnoses, including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) curriculum and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques; 9 hours/week programming for step-down and direct admit patients.
- Completed psychiatric assessments and presented symptoms to psychiatrists, emergency room doctors, and nursing staff for best recommendation of care, reducing stigma of behavioral health care and treatment.
Chief Quality Officer
Community Crisis Connection
11.2014 - 06.2019
- Led quality improvement and evaluation activities for Community Crisis Connection (CCC) in Aurora-Boulder-Denver metro area, ensuring integrity of the management information system in coordination with CIO, resulting in improved data accuracy by 50%.
- Chaired Quality Improvement and Evaluation Committee, addressing systemic areas for improvement and enhancing service effectiveness across crisis operations in line with State of Colorado contract expectations.
- Coordinated with CCC Board of Directors and community stakeholders to oversee quality assurance and compliance activities, maintaining high standards of regulatory compliance and client safety metrics.
Director of Data & Evaluation
Colorado Office of Behavioral Health
02.2012 - 10.2014
- Administered and managed decision support services team (11 FTEs, 8 contractors) at the Colorado Office of Behavioral Health (OBH), ensuring data integrity and compliance with state and federal regulations, improving data accuracy by 30%.
- Led multiple federal, state, regional, and local evaluations in coordination with the State of Colorado Department of Health Services administration and community behavioral health center leadership and staff, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of behavioral health services, maintaining high levels of regulatory compliance.
- Operated as a project lead for State of Colorado Governor’s Crisis Services and HIT Data Integration Initiatives, overseeing a $480,000 budgeted project, resulting in improved data integration and system efficiency.
Director of Research & Evaluation
University of Colorado School of Medicine
01.2009 - 01.2012
- Developed and managed grant-funded translational research projects in the Departments of Family Medicine and Psychiatry, enhancing research quality and compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Conducted trainings for healthcare providers, focusing on health behavior change skills, continuous quality improvement methods, and client health outcomes, providing consultation to the U.S. Territory of Guam’s behavioral health system, funded by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
- Supervised postdoctoral fellows and submitted publications to peer-reviewed journals, contributing to the advancement of psychological research and practice.
Director of Program Evaluation & Research
Jefferson Center for Mental Health
10.2006 - 01.2009
- Planned and developed a comprehensive program of evaluation, research, and process improvement at community mental health center for the tri-county area in Denver metro, enhancing service quality and compliance.
- Conducted clinical, integrated care program evaluations, collaborating with administration, IT staff, clinical staff, clients, and community partners to assess evaluation needs, improving processes and program outcomes by 50%.
- Assessed fidelity and outcomes of evidence-based programs (EBPs), providing training and technical assistance regarding evaluation and continuous quality improvement methods, maintaining high levels of compliance.
Education
M.P.A. - Public Administration - Nonprofit Management and Organizational & Community Change Specializations
University of Missouri (MU)
Columbia, MO01.2004
Ph.D. - Counseling Psychology
Southern Illinois University (SIU)
Carbondale, IL01.2001
M.A. - Psychology, Evaluation & Assessment Specialization
Southern Illinois University (SIU)
Carbondale, IL01.1996
Skills
- Health care management and leadership
- Team development and staff management
- Lean continuous quality improvement
- Organizational development and change management
- Compliance and innovation management
- Corporate governance and stakeholder relations
- Process consultation expertise
- Data processing and evaluation
Certification
- Licensed Clinical Psychologist
- Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA)
- CO - 2926
- Issued Oct 2005 - Expires Aug 2027
Timeline
National Quality Management Director
Carelon Behavioral Health/Elevence Health
03.2024 - 07.2025
Director of Quality Management
Carelon Behavioral Health/Elevence Health
09.2020 - 03.2024
Staff Psychologist
Deer Oaks Behavioral Health Organization
06.2020 - 09.2020
Director of Assessment, Outpatient Clinician
Denver Springs Behavioral Health Hospital
07.2019 - 06.2020
Chief Quality Officer
Community Crisis Connection
11.2014 - 06.2019
Director of Data & Evaluation
Colorado Office of Behavioral Health
02.2012 - 10.2014
Director of Research & Evaluation
University of Colorado School of Medicine
01.2009 - 01.2012
Director of Program Evaluation & Research
Jefferson Center for Mental Health
10.2006 - 01.2009
M.P.A. - Public Administration - Nonprofit Management and Organizational & Community Change Specializations
University of Missouri (MU)
Ph.D. - Counseling Psychology
Southern Illinois University (SIU)
M.A. - Psychology, Evaluation & Assessment Specialization
Southern Illinois University (SIU)
Similar Profiles
Christina BrownChristina Brown
Customer Service Rep at Carelon Behavioral Health (Elevance Health)Customer Service Rep at Carelon Behavioral Health (Elevance Health)
Harold BrooksHarold Brooks
Customer Service Representative at Carelon Behavioral HealthCustomer Service Representative at Carelon Behavioral Health
Jeffrey P. HockingJeffrey P. Hocking
Training Specialist at Carelon Behavioral HealthTraining Specialist at Carelon Behavioral Health
Quandarius SmithQuandarius Smith
Handyman Helper at Da Scoop Home RepairHandyman Helper at Da Scoop Home Repair
Dawn FuinaDawn Fuina
Principal, Program Management, PSM, PSPO at WorkdayPrincipal, Program Management, PSM, PSPO at Workday