Brenda McNeil is an extraordinary nurse who has been at Hope Network for just over two years, but in that brief time, she has made an incredible impact. Her medical background, experience, and leadership have enhanced our services for the Grand Rapids Neuro Rehab program. She restructured processes by offering a daily triage clinic, support to our medical providers, and ensuring responsiveness from the nursing team. These changes have resulted in the timely address of patient needs and the identification of educational opportunities for staff, patients, and families. When patients are hospitalized, Brenda is the person our teams rely on to advocate for their return when it is safe to resume intensive rehabilitation. Her critical thinking and clinical judgment are highly beneficial, especially for those who have had strokes resulting in brittle health issues.

Recently, a patient with intensive needs went back to the hospital after Brenda recognized the potential of an additional neurological event. She supported the family, monitored medical records, and collaborated with the hospital team to ensure they understood that he needed an alternative level of care before he could return to our program. She collaborates with hospitalists and clinical liaisons to ensure that patients are medically stable for admission to our program and that all care needs are manageable. She partners with speech pathologists, dietitians, NP's, and physicians for patients with dysphagia, on when feeding tubes can be safely removed. Brenda assists therapeutic recreation specialists in knowing when medical needs are manageable in the community. Psychologists and ABA providers benefit from her nursing support in helping patients engage with care routines. She greets everyone with a smile, including patients, families, and staff, as they pass by her office, addressing them by name. She is the first to cheer on patients walking by her office who initially were non-ambulatory. We are so grateful for all she brings to our service line and believe she would be an excellent recipient of a DAISY Award.