Amy Smiley, MSW, MBA, FACHE

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Ms. Smiley is the Chief Executive Officer at Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute. She has 26 years of experience working in hospitals, nineteen of which are psychiatric inpatient settings. She has been a healthcare manager/operator for twenty-five years, focusing primarily on behavioral health, but has also worked in acute physical rehabilitation, skilled nursing and emergency department settings.

Ms. Smiley earned her BS in Psychology at Florida State University and her Master of Social Work at Florida International University. Her Master of Business Administration was achieved at the University of Maryland, Global Campus. In addition to working in the private sector with for-profit organizations, she has worked in non-governmental organizations as well as state government in DHHS, North Carolina. Ms. Smiley is a board-certified Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Ms. Smiley is passionate about advocating for vulnerable populations who don’t have a voice. She’s also energized by collaborating with willing partners who have the same passion for creating a seamless care system.

Azure Baron, Psy.D., CSOTP

DIRECTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY AND FORENSIC SERVICES

Dr. Azure Baron is the Director of Psychology and Forensic Services at The Institute. She is responsible for overseeing the department of psychology as well as the treatment and management of individuals admitted to The Institute with criminal justice involvement.  Dr. Baron earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology, an accelerated, accredited program jointly sponsored by the College of William and Mary, Old Dominion University, Norfolk State University, and Eastern Virginia Medical School. She completed her internship at Howard University and her residency with the Fairfax Falls Church Community Services Board.  She is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Certified Sex Offender Treatment Provider in the Commonwealth of Virginia and has more than two decades of experience working in both inpatient and outpatient clinical settings. Dr. Baron has extensive training and experience conducting forensic evaluations and providing treatment to individuals with forensic involvement.  She has worked for both private and public industries and was awarded a grant to develop a treatment program guided by evidenced-based approaches to care for high risk, violent offenders in the District of Columbia. Dr. Baron was also appointed by the Commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to serve as Chair of the esteemed Forensic Review Panel. Dr. Baron is aware of the unique needs of the populations we serve, and is committed to the provision of person-centered, trauma-informed, and recovery-focused care.

Donna McGraw

Chief Quality Officer

After graduating from Michigan State University, Donna relocated to Virginia, and has spent much of her time serving in the public sector. Donna worked for seven years at the University of Virginia Health System before transitioning to Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute in 1999. Since 2002, she has been a part of NVMHI’s Risk Management Department.

As the Director of Compliance and Quality Management, Donna supports the hospital’s mission to provide safe, quality recovery focused inpatient treatment through the implementation of the hospital’s Risk Management, Standards Compliance, and Investigations Program, and through oversight of the Health Information Management (HIM) department. Through collaboration and consultation she coordinates and evaluates hospital-wide program effectiveness and compliance for meeting and sustaining relevant standards for continued accreditation/certification. To include: The Joint Commission (TJC)/Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)/Office of the Inspector General (OIG)/Office of Human Rights (OHR). She strives to assess opportunities for incorporating evidence based and best practices in the quest for ongoing compliance.

Navid Rashid, M.D., FAPA

Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Rashid completed the combined 7-year BA/ MD program at The George Washington University, followed by Psychiatry residency at the University of Illinois-Chicago during which he was named a chief resident, and after graduation went on to complete a fellowship in Psychosomatic Medicine through Georgetown University/Inova Fairfax Hospital. He is board certified in Psychiatry and a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Rashid has dedicated his career to public sector inpatient psychiatry, with nearly a decade as a staff psychiatrist at NVMHI before being named Chief Medical Officer. He has been recognized as an educator by The George Washington University and is a past recipient of Clinical Faculty Awards for his work with psychiatric residents, as well as the prestigious Elaine W. Cotlove MD Award for Excellence in Psychiatric Education. 

As Chief Medical Officer at NVMHI, Dr. Rashid is dedicated to maintaining a focus on clinical and educational leadership.  Clinically, he believes in a balanced and integrated approach to the diagnosis and treatment of serious mental illness that is humanistic, scientific, ultimately based in caring and service, and utilizing a variety of modalities ranging from the biomedical to the psychosocial.  This perspective extends not only to his direct involvement with Medical and Pharmacy services, but also consultation to and collaboration with all clinical disciplines in the hospital.  As an  educator, Dr. Rashid oversees an extensive Psychiatry teaching program encompassing residents and students rotating at NVMHI, Grand Rounds and case conference programming to promote a staff culture of learning, and most recently has led efforts to establish an innovative joint Psychiatry Residency program in collaboration with Inova Fairfax, approved to admit the first class of residents on 2026, in which he will also assume the role of Associate Program Director.

Katherine Beach, LCSW

Chief Clinical Officer

Kate Beach is the Chief Clinical Officer at Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute (NVMHI), where she provides strategic and operational leadership for the departments of Psychology and Forensic Services, Psychosocial Rehabilitation, and Social Work and Admissions. She is committed to strengthening clinical infrastructure, empowering treatment teams, and ensuring that every individual under our care receives treatment that is evidence-based, effective, and compassionate.

Kate holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Criminology/Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Master of Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over fifteen years of experience across military, private, and public healthcare systems. Her early career in Maryland and Washington DC included roles in direct care, clinical social work, and case management before advancing into supervisory and management positions.  She joined NVMHI as the Director of Social Work and Admissions, bringing a passion for transformational and servant leadership that has guided her into her current executive role as NVMHI Chief Clinical Officer.

Kate’s overall leadership reflects a balance of operational awareness, clinical insight, and emotional intelligence.  In her previous role at NVMHI she provided mentorship and hundreds of supervision hours to social workers, and as CCO has now expanded her focus to encompass multiple departments, improving interdisciplinary team dynamics and cultivating strong partnerships across the hospital.  Additionally, she is a key representative of the NVMHI leadership team within the Virginia healthcare system, working closely with DBHDS Central Office, and establishing partnerships with external stakeholders including various Community Service Boards, the Regional Projects Office, and others.

Savneet Brar, MHSA

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Savneet brings over 23 years of comprehensive experience in financial management within acute care and behavioral health systems, with a strong focus on driving operational excellence and fiscal responsibility. For the past 12 years, she has concentrated her expertise on Behavioral Health, managing both financial and general operations to support sustainable growth and quality care delivery.  She holds a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from George Washington University in Washington, DC, equipping her with advanced knowledge of healthcare systems and best practices. 

In her current role, Savneet plays a critical leadership role in ensuring the organization operates efficiently and cost-effectively. She oversees a wide range of financial functions, including financial reporting, accounting, disbursements, decision support, internal audits, accounts receivable, and long-term financial planning. Her strategic oversight helps guide informed decision-making that supports the organization’s mission and goals while maintaining strong fiscal health.

Ryan Monique Payton, OTR/L, MBA

DIRECTOR OF PSYCHOSOCIAL REHABILITATION

Ms. Payton is known for her passion, and dedication to the healthcare population she serves. She joins the NVMHI team as a collaborative healthcare professional with knowledge, and experience touching on all issues concerning the development and management of recovery. She strives to facilitate collaboration between clients, stakeholders, community members, health care professionals, and governmental agencies, on service provision, health, wellness, and safety.

Ms. Ryan Monique Payton is the Director of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, and the newest member of the Leadership Team at NVMHI. Ms. Payton is responsible for the occupational, recreational, and expressive therapy departments; as well as the chaplaincy services, peer support services, and psychosocial rehabilitation specialists.

Ms. Payton earned a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Neuroscience, and a MBA at Chatham College, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She later earned a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, from Texas Woman’s University. Registered with the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, she is a licensed Occupational Therapist. Ms. Payton began her career working as a behavior specialist, with persons with ASD, and later working for the Department of Family and Protective Services, Adult Protective Services, in Houston, Texas. Ms. Payton has experience in the hospital, rehabilitation, skilled nursing, and home health settings. As a seasoned professional with more than 22 years of healthcare and social services expertise.

Ronald Cress

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Ronald Cress is the Chief Operating Officer at Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute. Mr. Cress has worked in various positions within DBHDS since starting in 2002 at the Northern Virginia Training Center (NVTC). He was the Director of Safety & Security department and worked there for twelve years.  He went on to become an Agency Investigator and the Agency Grievance & Hearing Representative for DBHDS, where he traveled and worked in all the DBHDS facilities across the Commonwealth.

Mr. Cress is responsible for providing leadership, direction, management and supervision of facility and administrative support departments. Directly responsible for the operational readiness and facility infrastructure of a 137 bed Mental Health Hospital. Responsible for the coordination and delivery of services among the following departments: Physical Plant Services, Dietary Services, Environmental Services, and Safety and Security Services. Stands in as Acting Director in the absence of the CEO.

Rick Wallace RN, PMH-BC

Chief Nurse Officer

Rick Wallace is the Chief Nurse Officer; he is responsible for nursing care at Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute. He has over 30 years of mental health experience and has worked the full continuum of services from inpatient to day treatment and outpatient services, including electroconvulsive therapy. He has worked in public and private as well as for-profit and not-for-profit settings.

Rick started nursing by earning his Associates in Nursing and then his Bachelors in Nursing before going on for his Masters of Science in Nursing at Towson University. Rick is ANCC Certified in Mental Health Nursing and is currently working on his Doctorate in Nurse Practice to enhance nursing delivery.

Eileen Pattisall

CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCE OFFICER

Ms. Pattisall is the Chief Human Resource Officer at the Institute. She has 19 years of progressive experience in Human Resources specifically working in Healthcare. In this role she oversees all facets on the facilities’ HR strategy including workforce planning, labor relations talent acquisition, staff engagement, benefits, and compensation.

Throughout her career, Ms. Pattisall has championed initiatives that strengthen workforce culture, promote equity and inclusion and enhance employee development.

As a trusted member of the executive team, Ms. Pattisall is dedicated to aligning HR practices with the hospitals mission and vision.

Katie Canton, LCSW 

Director of Social Work and Intake Services

Katie Canton is the Director of Social Work and Intake Services. She currently oversees Social Work, Admissions, Utilization Management, Interpretation, Transportation, and Reception services. She has been part of the NVMHI team since August 2018 and has served as a treatment team social worker and Social Work Supervisor before her current position.

Katie’s academic background includes a double major in Family and Child Sciences and Psychology, with a minor in Social Welfare from Florida State University. She went on to earn her Master of Social Work from the University of Central Florida.

Katie is dedicated to providing meaningful, compassionate care to individuals facing mental health challenges with limited support. Working with the NVHMI teams inspires her to help underserved communities find stability and hope through quality care.