About Us

President

Linda Elizaitis, RN, BS, RAC-CT, CDS

Linda Elizaitis, RN, BS, RAC-CT, CDS, is President of CMS Compliance Group, the regulatory compliance consulting firm that she founded to work owners and operators of post-acute, long term care, assisted living, home health, adult day and other providers. Linda oversees survey-related compliance issues for clients, including systems correction/enhancement related to immediate jeopardy citations, Directed plans of correction, Directed InService, Informal Dispute resolution (IDR) preparation and Independent Informal Dispute resolution (IIDR) preparation. She assists with plan of correction development and implementation, conducts regulatory compliance reviews, and works with clients to develop new programs or enhance existing ones.

Linda’s extensive hands-on experience includes the opening and relocation of post-acute facilities, medical record reviews for litigation, adult day program compliance, risk management program development, pressure ulcer prevention, and compliance reviews for assisted living, adult day care and home health care programs. Linda speaks regularly on key compliance issues including survey preparation, including for Long Term Living and McKnight’s “Super Tuesdays.” She is a repeat educator for New York State Health Facilities Association Foundation for Quality Care Nurse and has spoken for key industry organizations including LeadingAge, the Pennsylvania Healthcare Association (PHCA), Healthcare Association of New Jersey (HCANJ), and the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants. Linda has been published in Provider, HCPro PPS Alert, ADVANCE for Long Term Care Management, About.com Assisted Living and Wayfair.

Prior to forming CMS Compliance Group, Linda was Vice President of Associated Geriatric Information Network, Inc. (AGIN, Inc.). Linda’s nursing background includes serving as a long-term care Director of Nursing, and prior to that as a surgical ICU Head Nurse. Linda is a Distinguished Graduate of St. Joseph’s College, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Health Administration, and is a graduate of the Sewickley Valley Hospital of Nursing.

Director of Operations

Brandie Elizaitis, MS, LNHA, CDP, QCP

Brandie Elizaitis, MS, LNHA, CDP, CMDCP, QCP is Director of Operations and a Consultant for CMS Compliance Group, Inc. For more than a decade, Brandie has been responsible for overseeing CMSCG’s data-driven research, developing education and training content on compliance and quality improvement, and managing the firm’s day-to-day operations. In her role as a consultant, Brandie works with CMSCG clients on various special projects, including initiatives related to Behavioral Health, Dementia Care and Quality Assurance. She also participates in CMSCG Mock Surveys, where she is responsible for reviewing compliance for multiple disciplines and providing recommendations for improvement.

Brandie is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator in New York, Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) by the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners, Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional (CMDCP) by the International Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners and an AAPACN QAPI Certified Professional (QCP). Brandie has served as Chief Marketing Officer for a data, research and advisory consulting firm and Director of Marketing for a technology and risk management consultancy, as well as in Quality Assurance. Brandie earned a Master of Science in Dementia & Aging Studies (MSDA) from Texas State University with a concentration in Long-Term Care Administration and holds a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Psychology with a concentration in Law from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Consultant

David W. Ericsson

David Ericsson is a Maintenance Engineering/ Fire Safety consultant for CMS Compliance Group. He specializes in Standards of Construction and facility inspections to ensure compliance with all current Codes, rules and regulations. In addition to these areas, David performs records and logs reviews for CMSCG clients, and provides consulting services related to preventative maintenance program development, electrical safety and fire safety. David has been a Fire Safety Consultant to skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities and adult day programs. He has experience working as an electrician, HVAC technician and Deputy Fire Marshal. David is a United States Marine, where he served at Camp David as part of President Nixon’s security detail and earned the rank of Sergeant.

Consultant

Kelly Hellberg MS, RD, CDN

Kelly Hellberg, MS, RD, CDN, is a Dietary Consultant with CMS Compliance Group, working with the firm’s nursing facility clients. Kelly assists facilities with preparation for and assistance during recertification surveys and performs Quality Assurance auditing of dietary and kitchen policies and procedures and clinical care/documentation. She provides directional guidance to facility staff for QA monitoring and develops audit tools for use by facilities for self-monitoring to ensure practices are consistent with acceptable standards of practice. Her post-acute and long term care experience includes working as Director of Food and Nutrition and Chief Clinical Dietitian at nursing facilities. Kelly holds a Master of Science in Nutrition and Exercise and a Bachelor of Arts, Food, Nutrition and Exercise from City University of New York, Queens College. She is a member of the American Dietetic Association, LIDA and Phi Epsilon Omicron.

Consultant

James Houle

James Houle is a Life Safety Consultant for CMS Compliance Group. He brings nearly 20 years of Life Safety consulting experience to CMSCG, and specializes in Life Safety and health code inspections for skilled nursing facilities, assisted living and adult day programs. James also works with clients regarding fire safety, including training and conducting drills and assists with records and logs implementation and review. He has assisted in the development of Policy & Procedure Manuals for individual providers. He has experience as Deputy Fire Marshal in Southbury, CT and was a member of the Southbury Police for 29 years. James attended the University of New Haven.

Consultant

Denise Howard, RN, MS

Denise Howard, RN, MS is a clinical consultant for CMS Compliance Group, working with the firm’s long term care and assisted living clients and is also a Legal Nurse Consultant. She has more than 30 years of health care experience, with a core focus on long-term care, sub-acute care, short-term rehab and assisted living. Previously she was Vice President of Clinical Services for a premier network manager of SNFs, specializing in providing sub-acute/short term care in New York and California.

Consultant

Lindy Jalbuena, RN, BSN

Lindy Jalbuena, RN, BSN is a Clinical Consultant with CMS Compliance Group, Inc. She works with CMSCG’s nursing home clients to assist them with quality monitoring and improvement and survey readiness. She conducts clinical reviews and helps ensure clients are in compliance with State and federal regulatory requirements. Lindy was previously a Director of Nursing at a skilled nursing facility and has also served as ADON, and Quality Assurance Coordinator. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Sacred Heart College and is a Registered Professional Nurse in New York and California.

Consultant

Harlan Ragay, RN, MSN

Harlan Ragay RN, MSN, has nearly 20 years of extensive sub-acute and long-term care experience. He works with CMSCG’s clients on staff clinical competence reviews, Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) for pressure ulcers, falls, and incidents/accidents. He conducts electronic health record reviews, clinical reviews, and ensures clients are in compliance with federal and State regulations.

Prior to joining CMS Compliance Group, Harlan was the Director of Nursing at Amsterdam Nursing Home in New York City. Also, Harlan was the Associate Director of Nursing for Quality Management and Director of Transitional Care in long-term care facilities in Manhattan. His previous experience includes sub-acute rehabilitation, nursing rehabilitation, and Electronic Medical Record (EMR) implementation. He pioneered the implementation of SmartED at Amsterdam Nursing Home—a program that reduces hospital readmissions. This innovation was recognized by Leading Age New York as the 2014 Innovation of the Year. A member of the National Association Directors of Nursing Administration/Long Term Care (NADONALTC), Harlan completed his graduate studies in Nursing Administration at New York University.

Consultant

Mary Quinn, RN, BSN, MA

Mary Quinn RN, BSN, MA, brings over thirty years of healthcare experience to CMSCG, in the areas of quality improvement, clinical program development and staff education. She works with CMS Compliance Group clients on Quality Measure improvement strategies including those related to infection control, pain management, pressure ulcer prevention & treatment, and falls prevention.

Prior to joining CMS Compliance Group, Mary worked as an Assistant Director of Nursing, Quality Assurance Coordinator, Staff Development Director and Infection Control Coordinator in long term and post-acute rehabilitative settings. Mary holds a Master of Arts in Community Health Education from Adelphi University and graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science from Hunter College-Bellevue School of Nursing.

Consultant

Dorette Smith, RN, MHA

Dorette Smith, RN, MHA is a Clinical Consultant with CMS Compliance Group, Inc. As a consultant at CMSCG, Dorette is responsible for various quality assurance initiatives, including auditing, training and education of clinical staff. She participates in CMSCG Mock Surveys and works with clients to implement corrective actions for identified issues to improve quality. Dorette has over two decades of nursing experience, including as a skilled nursing facility Assistant Director of Nursing and Interim Director of Nursing. Dorette also received an AMDA Foundation Quality Improvement and Health Care Award in 2014 for, “Skilled Nursing Facility: The New Med-Surg: An Integrated Approach in Reducing Hospitalization through Value Based Health Care.” She has a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration from Colorado State University.

Consultant

Debra Labella, RN, BS

Debra Labella, RN, BS, assists CMSCG clients with education and monitoring related to corporate compliance agreements and conducts ongoing quality-improvement activities, including survey preparedness in post-acute/ long-term care facilities. She conducts clinical monitoring and provides education for CMS Compliance Group clients, develops and implements policies, procedures and protocols, and has significant experience working with ventilator/respiratory specialty units.

Debra has spoken for the New York State Health Facilities Association (NYSHFA) and regularly provides education and training to Nurses and CNAs. Before joining CMS Compliance Group, Debra was a Senior Consultant at AGIN Inc. She has more than 35 years of experience in nursing leadership, having worked as a nurse and nursing supervisor in multiple healthcare settings. She has worked as Director of Nursing, Assistant Director of Nursing, and Director of Staff Development, MDS Coordinator and Nurse Aide Trainer in long-term care and sub-acute settings and as a staff and charge nurse in a hospital. Debra holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Consultant

Susan Berry, LCSW

Susan Berry has an extensive background in long-term care, with experience in counseling and psychotherapy, resident assessment, discharge planning, nursing home placement, performance improvement and in-service training. She works social service department staff at CMSCG clients to ensure that they have the proper systems in place, including for advance directives and care transitions to ensure the highest quality of care. Susan assists with behavior management care planning, discharge planning processes, the PASARR process, as well as resourcing finding.

Prior to joining CMS Compliance Group, Susan was a Senior Consultant with AGIN Inc. Susan has also worked as a Clinical Administrator of Social Services, Director of Social Services and social worker in a variety of long-term care facilities and as a private practice psychotherapist. Susan holds a Master of Social Work from the Adelphi University School of Social Work, and a Bachelor of Social Work from Adelphi University. She is a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers, the National Association of Social Workers and a Member of the Committee on Aging Suffolk NASW.