Debra Zak, Ph.D., RN, L. Ac.

Executive Director
Home Care Accreditation

Debra Zak is the executive director of the home care accreditation program at The Joint Commission. In this role, she is the primary champion of the home care accreditation program, responsible for development and implementation of business strategies and activities, both internally and externally.

Before becoming the executive director of the home care accreditation program, Dr. Zak served as field director for surveyor management and development in the department of accreditation operations. In this role, she was responsible for the development and management of a multidisciplinary cadre of surveyors comprised of physicians, hospital administrators and nurses. She began her career at The Joint Commission as a part-time surveyor and as an associate director in the department of standards.

Dr. Zak has thirty years experience in the health care industry, including senior management experience in home health care and hospice programs. Prior to joining The Joint Commission, she was president of ZAK Cost Containment Services, a successful rehabilitation case management and consulting firm. Dr. Zak has authored articles on home health care issues as well as complementary care in an integrated health care system. She has lectured on Joint Commission standards for patient care and organization performance improvement.

Dr. Zak holds a Ph.D. in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the University of Guangzhou, Guangzhou, China.  She received a Master of Science degree in Oriental Medicine from Midwest College of Oriental Medicine, Chicago, Illinois. She is nationally board certified in acupuncture. Dr. Zak is recognized by Marquis Who’s Who in American Nursing for service and commitment to the nursing profession.