About
David H. Lewis
MA FACHE
Principal, DHL: Behavioral Healthcare Consulting
Professional Background
Behavioral Healthcare Executive
Expert Witness
Operations Consultant
David H. Lewis MA FACHE is a behavioral healthcare executive with more than 20 years of direct operational leadership across the full spectrum of behavioral health settings — from outpatient and intensive outpatient programs to acute inpatient psychiatric units and 170-bed residential facilities.
As a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, David brings board-certified management expertise to every engagement. His career has spanned startup development, multi-site national portfolios, and interim executive leadership for underperforming units at major health systems — including contracted engagements through Sheppard Pratt Solutions, Signet Healthcare, and Witt Kieffer. In each role, he has delivered measurable operational improvement: census growth, expense reduction, staff accountability, and regulatory compliance.
That depth of direct operational experience is what distinguishes his expert witness practice. When a case turns on whether a behavioral health facility met the applicable standard of care — in its governance, its clinical protocols, its staffing decisions, or its regulatory compliance — David's opinions are grounded not in theory but in having led those organizations firsthand. He has managed multimillion-dollar budgets, navigated CARF and JCAHO accreditation processes, and built the policies and procedures that define how these facilities operate.
Law firms engaged by DHL receive opinions that are clear, thoroughly documented, and prepared to withstand deposition. Every engagement is accepted selectively to ensure the depth of attention each matter deserves.
Credentials & Qualifications
FACHE
Fellow, American College of Healthcare Executives
Board certification representing the highest standard of professional achievement in healthcare management — earned through demonstrated competency, ethics, and leadership.
MA
Master of Arts, Social Science
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Graduate-level foundation in the behavioral and social sciences underpinning clinical and organizational practice.
20+
Years of Operational Leadership
Direct executive experience across inpatient, residential, PHP, IOP, and outpatient behavioral health settings — from startup to multi-site national portfolios.
Professional History
20+ years of executive leadership across behavioral health settings nationwide.
Interim Behavioral Health Operations Specialist
Sheppard Pratt Solutions — Baltimore, MD
September 2025 – Present
- Contracted with University of Michigan Medicine to deliver interim operational leadership for an underperforming behavioral medicine unit.
- Reported directly to the hospital President and VP executives; drove measurable cultural change.
- Improved average daily census (ADC) by 10% within months of engagement.
- Introduced an enhanced referral vetting and tracking system for internal ED and community referrals.
Interim Behavioral Health Operations Specialist
Signet Healthcare — Dallas, TX
January 2025 – May 2025
- Contracted with a major Indiana hospital system to lead interim behavioral medicine operations.
- Improved ADC by 15% within four months.
- Reduced payroll expense by 7% through improved accountability structures.
- Actively participated in the interview and selection process for the permanent unit leader.
Interim Behavioral Health Operations Specialist
Witt Kieffer — Chicago, IL
January 2024 – May 2024
- Provided executive presence and rapid cultural assimilation for stressed and underperforming behavioral health units.
- Delivered objective, solution-based recommendations directly to C-Suite leadership.
- Achieved a 50% reduction in staff absenteeism through a shift in employee engagement and accountability.
Interim Behavioral Health Operations Specialist
Signet Healthcare — Dallas, TX
June 2021 – January 2024
- Member of a national consulting firm providing senior management services to multi-state psychiatric entities.
- Oversaw regional startups and delivered full-spectrum behavioral health operational management across multiple sites.
- Facilitated physical plant development, staffing, policy and procedure creation, and initial licensure.
- Conducted systemic analysis for underperforming units — addressing ADC deficits, staff attrition, and toxic management environments.
- Deliverables included objective facility surveys, geographic needs assessments, and 5-year financial proformas.
Regional Director of Program Management
Acadia Healthcare — Nashville, TN
January 2020 – April 2021
- Delivered operational management for a 170-bed residential behavioral healthcare facility with a $50M annual budget.
- Led a seven-member directorial staff spanning Clinical, Nursing, Intake, Dietary, Admissions, Physical Plant, and Medical Records.
- Worked directly with the COO to achieve full license renewal through state and national accreditation bodies.
- Introduced a fair and just culture model that improved clinical staff retention — one hire subsequently promoted to CEO.
- Ensured regulatory compliance with OSHA, HIPAA, and applicable state licensing bodies.
Chief Operating Officer
S.T.A.R. Inc. — Philadelphia, PA
December 2015 – January 2020
- Oversaw daily operations for an outpatient and intensive outpatient behavioral health practice.
- Authored and formalized policy and procedure manuals including QA protocols.
- In 2018, researched, opened, and operated a new OP/IOP entity in Haddon Township, NJ — registered as a separate tax-paying business.
- Developed NJ-specific policies and procedures consistent with state regulations for the addicted population.
Areas of Focus
Specialized Knowledge Where It Matters
Expert opinion is only as strong as the depth of knowledge behind it. David's practice is deliberately focused on behavioral healthcare — the specific domain where these cases arise.
Mental Health Treatment Standards
Psychiatric Care Administration
Substance Use Disorder Programs
Inpatient & Residential Behavioral Health
Crisis Stabilization Services
PHP & IOP Program Governance
Behavioral Health Facility Startups
Regulatory Compliance & Accreditation (CARF, JCAHO)
Staff Accountability & Cultural Turnaround
Financial Management & Budget Oversight
The Standard
"Every opinion rendered is one I am prepared to defend — in writing, in deposition, and on the stand."
David H. Lewis MA FACHE — Principal, DHL: Behavioral Healthcare Consulting
Ready to discuss your case?
Law firms are invited to submit a case inquiry for review. Engagements are accepted selectively to ensure the depth of attention each matter deserves.