John Berry, RN, MSN, SQIL
Principal Consultant
John Berry, RN, MSN, SQIL is a healthcare executive and Principal Consultant with extensive expertise in CMS regulatory compliance, behavioral health operations, and accreditation strategy. With more than 20 years of healthcare experience, including over a decade with Joint Commission Resources, he partners with healthcare organizations to strengthen compliance, improve operational performance, and achieve sustained survey readiness.
Mr. Berry brings deep specialization in behavioral health and psychiatric services, with over 17 years of experience supporting CMS Psychiatric Hospital Conditions of Participation (CoPs), Distinct Part Unit (DPU) requirements, and Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) regulations. His work includes regulatory compliance, policy development, operational alignment, and survey readiness across inpatient, outpatient, and community-based behavioral health settings.
As a Principal Consultant with Joint Commission Resources, Mr. Berry provided consultation, education, and technical assistance on CMS regulations, federal survey processes, and accreditation requirements across a wide range of healthcare organizations, including hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, ESRD facilities, and transplant programs. He served as CMS faculty and subject matter expert, contributing to the development and delivery of national education programs and publications, including the Joint Commission and CMS Crosswalk.
Prior to his consulting career, Mr. Berry served as a Health Facility Compliance Manager and State Surveyor for the Texas Health and Human Services system, where he oversaw CMS certification, state licensure, complaint investigations, and regulatory enforcement activities. His experience includes leadership in survey operations, interpretation of regulatory requirements, and development of state licensing rules and position statements.
Mr. Berry is recognized for his ability to bridge regulatory requirements with real-world clinical and operational workflows, particularly within behavioral health environments. He works closely with executive and clinical leadership teams to improve compliance, strengthen documentation and processes, and support sustainable, high-quality care delivery models.
He holds a Master of Science in Nursing from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and completed a postgraduate certificate in Safety, Quality, Informatics, and Leadership through Harvard Medical School. He is a frequent educator on CMS and regulatory topics and brings a practical, solutions-focused approach to helping organizations navigate complex regulatory environments.