Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Holly Smith, LCSW

Evanston

Summary

Experienced and dedicated Pediatric Behavioral Health leader, aiming to progress into a permanent Director-level position. Demonstrated success in elevating pediatric mental health programs across both Inpatient and Outpatient settings. Skilled in identifying and addressing team inefficiencies, with a talent for fostering collaboration and enhancing team dynamics. Proven track record of success leading to expanding responsibilities over time, reflecting increased scope and complexity.

Overview

23
23
years of professional experience

Work History

Interim Director/Manager of Behavioral Health

Advocate Children's Hospital
05.2024 - Current


  • Leads several multidisciplinary teams, including Inpatient Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Outpatient Pediatric Behavioral Health, Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at multiple locations, Pediatric Neuropsychology and Pediatric Consult Liaison Services/Crisis, in delivering comprehensive behavioral health services to pediatric patients across the continuum of their care.
  • Serving in the Manager role between 9/30/18 until the current time
  • Revitalizes these teams through the implementation of innovative strategies and dynamic leadership approaches, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.
  • Nurtures robust teamwork, employing effective strategies such as regular team huddles, constructive feedback sessions, and team-building activities to cultivate a collaborative and engaged work environment.

Clinical Intake Coordinator

Advocate Children's Hospital
08.2016 - 09.2018
  • Optimized the clinical intake process to enhance efficiency and minimize patient wait times.
  • Handled a large volume of intake calls, promptly scheduling appointments and maintaining effective follow-up communication.
  • Conducted comprehensive clinical assessments of new patients to ascertain service eligibility and allocate resources effectively.
  • Assumed a leadership role in clinical decision-making, providing guidance and expertise to the team.

Pediatric Medical Social Worker

Advocate Children's Hospital
05.2007 - 08.2016
  • Delivered extensive social work support to medically vulnerable children, adolescents, and families across PICU, general Pediatric unit, and outpatient clinics.
  • Offered stabilization services to patients and families facing trauma, end-of-life scenarios, chronic illnesses, and newly diagnosed conditions, collaborating closely with the medical team.
  • Played a crucial role as part of the Child Protection Team, gathering medical and forensic interview data to aid in intricate investigations conducted by DCFS and Police authorities.

Contingency Social Worker

Children’s Memorial Hospital
05.2005 - 05.2007
  • Completed thorough forensic interviews with children and families in the Emergency Department when abuse/neglect was suspected
  • Shared crucial case information and assured appropriate services were being rendered by acting as case liaison between the patient, family, medical team, local police/fire departments, DCFS and Children’s Advocacy Centers.

Social Worker

St. Vincent de Paul Center
09.2001 - 05.2007
  • Organized intensive support and case management services for over 450 at-risk children, ranging from four months to twelve-years of age
  • Lead a multi-disciplinary academic team of professionals, collaborating with area schools to assure the needs of children with special needs were being met
  • Performed comprehensive diagnostic evaluations and offered individual, family and group therapy for children and adults


Education

MSW -

U. of Illinois at Chicago, Jane Addams College of Social Work
01.2001

BS -

Human Development and Family Studies, U. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
01.1999

Skills

  • Performance Management
  • Operations Management
  • Interdisciplinary Collaboration
  • Communication

Timeline

Interim Director/Manager of Behavioral Health

Advocate Children's Hospital
05.2024 - Current

Clinical Intake Coordinator

Advocate Children's Hospital
08.2016 - 09.2018

Pediatric Medical Social Worker

Advocate Children's Hospital
05.2007 - 08.2016

Contingency Social Worker

Children’s Memorial Hospital
05.2005 - 05.2007

Social Worker

St. Vincent de Paul Center
09.2001 - 05.2007

MSW -

U. of Illinois at Chicago, Jane Addams College of Social Work

BS -

Human Development and Family Studies, U. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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Holly Smith, LCSW