Zelda McCormick
Pikesville,MD
Summary
Accomplished healthcare professional with a strong focus on clinical operations and program development. Expertise in overseeing care delivery for special populations, ensuring adherence to safety and compliance standards, while fostering team growth and collaboration. Committed to leveraging data-driven insights to improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Populations Program Manager
Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 5 Network Office
Linthicum, Maryland
03.2021 - Current
- Provides oversight for five special population programs across six VA medical centers spanning Maryland, Washington, DC, and West Virginia.
- Execute VISN-wide strategic planning, developing goals, performance metrics, and quality-improvement initiatives that drive measurable gains in access, compliance, care coordination, and stakeholder engagement.
- Evaluate VISN-level progress in meeting program requirements through structured site visits, data analysis, standardized assessments
- Makes recommendations for improvement.
- Developed strategies to broaden access to health care options, including non-traditional access through Telehealth and Clinical Resource Hubs.
- Implements initiatives to reduce health disparities across VISN and drives plans to address gaps across VISN 5.
Field Advisor Nurse Qualification Standards (VISN 5)
Field Advisor Nurse Qualification Standards (VISN 5)
Baltimore, MD
10.2022 - Current
- Led the VISN transition from Nurse Professional Standards Board to the new process for reviewing and addressing Nurse Qualification Standards.
- Advised the VISN Chief Nursing Officer, Associate Directors for Patient Care Service, and station-level nursing leaders and staff on appointments, salary determinations, probationary reviews, promotions, awards, and separations, enhancing compliance and standardization.
- Developed ongoing education and training programs to support staff understanding and implementation.
PRN Charge Nurse (Weekend/Night Shift)
Ordinance Road Correctional Center
Anne Arundel County, Maryland
10.2021 - Current
- Supervises and coordinates nursing care for 100+ incarcerated patients per shift, ensuring adherence to safety, security, and healthcare regulations.
- Liaised among medical, custody, and administrative personnel to ensure patient and institutional safety.
- Maintains strict adherence to HIPAA, PREA, and security/privacy protocols in a locked facility.
Chairperson, Nurse Professional Standards Board
VA Maryland Health Care System
Baltimore, MD
01.2015 - 03.2021
- Advised nursing leadership on RN salaries, promotions, and awards to ensure fair and competitive compensation.
- Conducted regular reviews of policies and procedures for compliance with regulations and laws.
- Maintained accurate records of meeting minutes and resolutions to support transparency and accountability in board activities.
Nursing Officer of the Day
VA Maryland Health Care System
Baltimore, Maryland
09.2014 - 03.2021
- Oversaw hospital operations, ensuring safe, high‑quality patient care while serving as the highest‑level clinical leader on duty.
- Acted as the primary administrative and clinical resource for night shift teams, balancing staffing needs, acuity levels, and emergent coverage requirements.
- Conducted real‑time problem solving for operational challenges—such as staffing shortages, environmental concerns, and patient complaints—to minimize disruptions and maintain care standards.
Women Veterans Program Manager (WVPM)
VA Maryland Health Care System
Baltimore, Maryland
09.2010 - 03.2021
- Built and sustained a comprehensive Women's Health Program; elevated women Veterans health as a system priority through executive engagement.
- Aligned program strategy to the medical center mission and vision; partnered with Quality Management to improve access and performance measures.
- Advised leadership on risk mitigation strategies for quality, safety, security, and satisfaction; ensured compliance with national VHA policies and directives.
Nurse Manager, Women's Health Clinic
VA Maryland Health Care System
Baltimore, Maryland
09.2015 - 03.2019
- Led daily operations of the Women's Health PACT team, ensuring coordinated, trauma-informed, sex-specific primary care for women Veterans while maintaining compliance with VA standards and clinic performance metrics.
- Implemented quality-improvement initiatives in cervical cancer screening, breast cancer coordination, reproductive health care processes, and timely diagnostic result notification, contributing to enhanced clinical safety and patient satisfaction.
- Maintained policy adherence and ensured readiness of the care environment and availability of sex-specific supplies.
Nurse Manager, Dermatology Clinic
VA Maryland Health Care System
Baltimore, Maryland
09.2015 - 03.2019
- Directed daily clinical operations for a high-volume ensuring efficient patient flow, timely consult management, and consistent adherence to evidence-based care standards.
- Implemented quality-improvement initiatives in Dermatology Clinic to enhance biopsy turnaround times, skin cancer screening accuracy, and documentation compliance, resulting in improved patient safety and care consistency.
- Oversaw RN, LPN, and support staff workflows, optimizing schedules, competency development, and team communication to improve patient access, preventive care delivery, and follow-up completion.
- Collaborated to streamline procedures (e.g., MOHS, phototherapy, patch testing), reducing delays and improving coordination across services.
- Led infection-control and supply-management efforts specific to dermatologic procedures, ensuring compliance with sterile technique, medication handling, and regulatory standards.
- Leveraged data from clinic utilization, no-show rates, and RVU productivity to optimize staffing models and appointment templates, enhancing patient access and reducing wait times.
External Peer Review Program (EPRP) Coordinator (HEDIS & VA Performance Measures)
VA Maryland Health Care System
Baltimore, Maryland
09.2006 - 09.2010
- Partnered with West Virginia Medical Institute to evaluate inpatient and outpatient performance, identifying compliance barriers and collaborating with clinical leadership to implement targeted improvements.
- Tracked and analyzed data trends, reporting non-compliance patterns and identifying areas for improvement to senior leadership.
- Advised leadership on systematic approaches for performance improvement, enhancing strategic initiatives.
Staff Nurse, Medical Intensive Care Unit & 5B Surgery
VA Maryland Health Care System
Baltimore, Maryland
09.1995 - 09.2006
- Served as charge nurse
- Provided direct care to critically ill and med/surg patients.
- Precepted new graduate and experienced nurses
- Contributed to unit level, service level, and hospital-wide committees.
Education
Master of Science - Nursing Administration
University of Maryland School of Nursing
Baltimore, MarylandBachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Maryland School of Nursing
Baltimore, MarylandBiology / Pre-Nursing - Baltimore, Maryland
Morgan State University
Baltimore, MarylandSkills
Program & Policy Development, Quality & Patient Safety, Healthcare Equity & Access, Clinical Operations, Data Review & Analysis, Strategic Planning, Stakeholder Engagement, Training & Education
Timeline
Field Advisor Nurse Qualification Standards (VISN 5)
Field Advisor Nurse Qualification Standards (VISN 5)
10.2022 - Current
PRN Charge Nurse (Weekend/Night Shift)
Ordinance Road Correctional Center
10.2021 - Current
Special Populations Program Manager
Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 5 Network Office
03.2021 - Current
Nurse Manager, Women's Health Clinic
VA Maryland Health Care System
09.2015 - 03.2019
Nurse Manager, Dermatology Clinic
VA Maryland Health Care System
09.2015 - 03.2019
Chairperson, Nurse Professional Standards Board
VA Maryland Health Care System
01.2015 - 03.2021
Nursing Officer of the Day
VA Maryland Health Care System
09.2014 - 03.2021
Women Veterans Program Manager (WVPM)
VA Maryland Health Care System
09.2010 - 03.2021
External Peer Review Program (EPRP) Coordinator (HEDIS & VA Performance Measures)
VA Maryland Health Care System
09.2006 - 09.2010
Staff Nurse, Medical Intensive Care Unit & 5B Surgery
VA Maryland Health Care System
09.1995 - 09.2006
Master of Science - Nursing Administration
University of Maryland School of Nursing
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Maryland School of Nursing
Biology / Pre-Nursing - Baltimore, Maryland
Morgan State University