Open to opportunities

Elizabeth Gbala

@elizabethgbala

Registered nurse and case management leader focused on psychiatric care, utilization review, and Lean Six Sigma–driven quality improvement.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking for a role where I can deliver advanced psychiatric care while driving utilization, quality improvement, and systems leadership—using evidence-based assessments, interdisciplinary collaboration, and Lean Six Sigma to improve access and outcomes.

I’m a registered nurse and case management professional with experience spanning psychiatric nursing, pediatric care, and utilization management. I bring a trauma-informed, patient- and family-centered approach, combining comprehensive clinical assessment with payer-compliant preauthorization, concurrent, and retrospective review to support the right level of care.

I also work with Lean Six Sigma Green Belt principles to improve workflows, use root cause analysis to reduce discharge-planning delays, and strengthen continuity of care to reduce avoidable readmissions. As I pursue my DNP with an emphasis on advanced psychiatric care and healthcare systems leadership, I’m driven to apply data-informed decision-making and interdisciplinary collaboration to close healthcare utilization gaps and improve outcomes.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Registered Nurse - Case Mgmt

Current

Dimensional Health Care

Aug 2025 - Present (10 months)

Conduct comprehensive clinical assessments to determine medical necessity and appropriate level of care using evidence-based criteria. Lead preauthorization and retrospective reviews, build individualized care plans, and coordinate interdisciplinary discharge planning to reduce delays and avoidable utilization.

Utilization Management Clinical Assessment Care Plan Development Interdisciplinary Collaboration Discharge Planning Root Cause Analysis

Psychiatric Registered Nurse

Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospital

Dec 2022 - Aug 2025 (2 years 8 months)

Provided trauma-informed psychiatric nursing care for children, adolescents, and adults with acute mental health conditions. Performed mental health assessments, led de-escalation during behavioral crises, educated patients and families on medication management, and maintained timely EHR documentation with interdisciplinary coordination.

De escalation Psychiatric Evaluation Mental And Physical Assessments Medication Side Effect Knowledge Interdisciplinary Collaboration EHR Patient Advocacy

Pediatric Registered Nurse

University of Maryland Medical Center

Jan 2022 - Dec 2022 (11 months)

Delivered comprehensive pediatric nursing care for infants, children, and adolescents with acute and chronic conditions. Conducted assessments and medication administration, supported families through complex diagnoses, coordinated with multidisciplinary teams for discharge readiness, and precepted/mentored new graduate nurses.

Pediatric Nursing Assessments Patient Safety

Student Nursing Assistant

MedStar Union Memorial Hospital

Aug 2020 - Nov 2021 (1 year 3 months)

Assisted patients with activities of daily living (ADLs) in a fast-paced clinical setting. Monitored and documented vital signs, supported nursing staff, and helped maintain safe, compassionate patient care.

Activities Of Daily Living (ADL)Vital Signs Monitoring Clinical Documentation Patient Safety Patient Mobility Support Temperature Pulse Respiration Oxygen Sat Tracking Team Collaboration Basic Clinical Support Time Sensitive Charting

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Emory University - Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program (hybrid/online) with an emphasis on Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner training. Expected graduation is December 2026.