April 2025
Joanne
Hoertz
,
RN, MSN, CRRN
Executive
Brooks Rehabilitation
Jacksonville
,
FL
United States
Joanne Hoertz, RN, MSN, CRRN, Senior Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer, and a dedicated nursing leader at Brooks Rehabilitation, has been recognized as a 2025 Honoree for the prestigious HealthImpact Daisy Nurse Leader Award. Nominated by Adam Francis, RN MSN, Director of Nursing, Hoertz has distinguished herself through exceptional policy work and compassionate care initiatives that have significantly improved patient outcomes and nursing workforce development.
The following are significant achievements that contributed to Hoertz’s recognition:
Advocacy
In June 2021, Hoertz acted on newly passed legislation to implement the Personal Care Attendant program at Brooks Rehabilitation. Her leadership was instrumental in implementing this program, which successfully increased direct care staffing levels for overnight settings during the challenges of COVID-19 and subsequent workforce shortages.
As an active board member of the Florida Center of Nursing, Hoertz continues identifying, researching, and developing strategic workforce solutions for nurses throughout Florida. Her data-driven approach has helped address critical nursing shortages across the state.
As a Center for Independent Living board member, Hoertz has championed services for individuals with disabilities throughout Northeast Florida. Her advocacy work has increased awareness of disabilities and expanded access to community resources at both the local and state levels. In addition, her previous work on the Florida Healthcare Association (FHCA) Brain and Spinal Cord Committee ensured that measurable outcomes for state-funded brain injury and spinal cord injury clients were incorporated into evaluations and awareness campaigns.
Education and Workforce Development
In June 2023, Hoertz's reputation as a champion for nursing education shone brightly. Recognizing an opportunity to enhance training for the Florida State College at Jacksonville nursing program, she established on-site LPN training at her facility, creating a valuable career development pathway for unlicensed healthcare professionals.
This initiative has yielded impressive results:
• 25 new workers successfully trained through the PCA program
• 90% CNA licensure rate among participants
• 11 new LPNs graduated in the first cohort
• 40 applications were generated for the second cohort
• 12 additional students enrolled in late 2024
Through her service on the Florida Healthcare Association (FHCA) Professional Development Committee, Hoertz has helped select scholarship recipients for healthcare degrees and nursing program tuition for FHCA facility staff members.
Leadership
Hoertz embodies Brooks Rehabilitation's mission of empowering people to achieve their highest level of recovery. Her leadership reflects the organization's values of compassion, innovation, integrity, service, teamwork, accountability, and continuous learning.
With a deep understanding of the challenges facing diverse patient populations across various socioeconomic backgrounds, Hoertz has guided Brooks Rehabilitation to meet patients where they are. She fosters a supportive culture that ensures patients, families, and staff have the necessary training and resources for successful recovery in safe settings.
Her innovative programs have boosted staffing levels across five facilities and helped community members advance their careers and better support their families. Under her leadership, Brooks Rehabilitation achieved the re-designation of Magnet recognition, confirming Brooks Rehabilitation's commitment to providing the highest quality of care for its patients.
The HealthImpact Daisy Nurse Leader Award recognizes nurses who excel in policy work and advance compassionate care to improve patient health outcomes – a description that perfectly captures Joanne Hoertz's exceptional contributions to the nursing profession and the healthcare community.
“This award represents a team effort, and I’d like to recognize everyone who has encouraged me during my career,” said Hoertz. First, I’d like to thank my mom for inspiring me to become a nurse. I’d also like to thank the phenomenal team of people at Brooks Rehabilitation who inspire me every day. The past 17 years have been the highlight of my entire career. I'm honored to be able to help as many people as I can and leave a lasting legacy that honors the compassionate care our nurses provide.”
Please join us in congratulating Joanne on this significant milestone in her career.
The following are significant achievements that contributed to Hoertz’s recognition:
Advocacy
In June 2021, Hoertz acted on newly passed legislation to implement the Personal Care Attendant program at Brooks Rehabilitation. Her leadership was instrumental in implementing this program, which successfully increased direct care staffing levels for overnight settings during the challenges of COVID-19 and subsequent workforce shortages.
As an active board member of the Florida Center of Nursing, Hoertz continues identifying, researching, and developing strategic workforce solutions for nurses throughout Florida. Her data-driven approach has helped address critical nursing shortages across the state.
As a Center for Independent Living board member, Hoertz has championed services for individuals with disabilities throughout Northeast Florida. Her advocacy work has increased awareness of disabilities and expanded access to community resources at both the local and state levels. In addition, her previous work on the Florida Healthcare Association (FHCA) Brain and Spinal Cord Committee ensured that measurable outcomes for state-funded brain injury and spinal cord injury clients were incorporated into evaluations and awareness campaigns.
Education and Workforce Development
In June 2023, Hoertz's reputation as a champion for nursing education shone brightly. Recognizing an opportunity to enhance training for the Florida State College at Jacksonville nursing program, she established on-site LPN training at her facility, creating a valuable career development pathway for unlicensed healthcare professionals.
This initiative has yielded impressive results:
• 25 new workers successfully trained through the PCA program
• 90% CNA licensure rate among participants
• 11 new LPNs graduated in the first cohort
• 40 applications were generated for the second cohort
• 12 additional students enrolled in late 2024
Through her service on the Florida Healthcare Association (FHCA) Professional Development Committee, Hoertz has helped select scholarship recipients for healthcare degrees and nursing program tuition for FHCA facility staff members.
Leadership
Hoertz embodies Brooks Rehabilitation's mission of empowering people to achieve their highest level of recovery. Her leadership reflects the organization's values of compassion, innovation, integrity, service, teamwork, accountability, and continuous learning.
With a deep understanding of the challenges facing diverse patient populations across various socioeconomic backgrounds, Hoertz has guided Brooks Rehabilitation to meet patients where they are. She fosters a supportive culture that ensures patients, families, and staff have the necessary training and resources for successful recovery in safe settings.
Her innovative programs have boosted staffing levels across five facilities and helped community members advance their careers and better support their families. Under her leadership, Brooks Rehabilitation achieved the re-designation of Magnet recognition, confirming Brooks Rehabilitation's commitment to providing the highest quality of care for its patients.
The HealthImpact Daisy Nurse Leader Award recognizes nurses who excel in policy work and advance compassionate care to improve patient health outcomes – a description that perfectly captures Joanne Hoertz's exceptional contributions to the nursing profession and the healthcare community.
“This award represents a team effort, and I’d like to recognize everyone who has encouraged me during my career,” said Hoertz. First, I’d like to thank my mom for inspiring me to become a nurse. I’d also like to thank the phenomenal team of people at Brooks Rehabilitation who inspire me every day. The past 17 years have been the highlight of my entire career. I'm honored to be able to help as many people as I can and leave a lasting legacy that honors the compassionate care our nurses provide.”
Please join us in congratulating Joanne on this significant milestone in her career.