NeuroRestorative Heroes is an employee recognition program through which we celebrate employees whose actions make them a hero to those we serve or their colleagues.
We are proud to have an amazing team of employees working tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of the individuals we serve with brain and spinal cord injuries and other neurological challenges.
Each quarter, NeuroRestorative’s Heroes program recognizes six employees for going above and beyond on behalf of the individuals we serve. No matter the role—whether in direct care, program leadership or a support function—everyone in NeuroRestorative family plays an important part in ensuring the delivery of quality of life enhancing services for our participants on the road to recovery from brain, spinal cord or medically complex injury, illnesses and other challenges.
“The NeuroRestorative Heroes program is a great way to recognize and thank our valued employees,” said Bill Duffy, President of NeuroRestorative. “On behalf of everyone at NeuroRestorative, I want to thank all of our passionate and dedicated employees and congratulate this quarter’s Heroes.”
Q1 NeuroRestorative Heroes:
Anjella Theodore, Case Manager, NeuroRestorative Florida
As the Case Manager for NeuroRestorative Florida’s program in Tampa, Anjella positively impacts the lives of individuals with brain injury every day. Her passion and dedication drives her to show up early and stay late to ensure the needs of her co-workers’ and the individuals they support are met. She can often be found volunteering additional assistance throughout the program while also ensuring that she has time to meet with each person served on a weekly basis. Anjella is a strong advocate and will exhaust all possible options to provide the individuals she serves with every service opportunity available to them. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Anjella worked diligently to assist with NeuroRestorative Florida’s recent CARF survey. Even with her busy schedule, Anjella finds time to volunteer at organizations within the Tampa Bay area.
“Anjella has been a tremendous asset to our clinical team,” said Joselyn Bazil, Program Director, NeuroRestorative Florida.
Marco Chavez, Life Skills Trainer, NeuroRestorative Texas
Marco excels as a Life Skills Trainer (LST) with NeuroRestorative Texas in El Paso. He greets staff and participants early each morning with an ever-present bright smile and positive attitude. Marco has a knack for breaking down complex tasks into achievable steps and making each step along the way exciting and enjoyable. He takes great pride in assisting individuals re-entering the El Paso community by making sure they are adequately prepared for any challenge they may face. When an individual served is struggling, Marco is always the first person to offer assistance and reassurance that everything is going to be alright.
“Marco leads by example, motivates others, and always finds the shining light in the gloomiest of days,” said Johnny Dennis, Administrator, NeuroRestorative Texas.
Marta Ketter, Speech-Language Pathologist, NeuroRestorative Illinois
In addition to her role as a Speech-Language Pathologist, Marta heads up the Employee Appreciation Committee at NeuroRestorative Illinois in Carbondale. She is continuously looking for creative ways to recognize staff efforts. Marta is also a skilled presenter who has been instrumental in the development and delivery of a monthly staff training program that focuses on the individualized needs of those with swallowing disorders. Additionally, Marta developed a training titled Cultural Differences and Rehabilitation, a Hispanic View, which she has presented nationally. As Spanish is her first language, Marta is often called upon to help bridge the communication gap between caregiver and the person being served as a Certified Medical Interpreter. She recently volunteered to take time out of her busy schedule to provide communication assistance to a young man served in Carbondale. This young man’s mother is from the same area of Guatemala as Marta, and they speak the same dialect. Marta is the only connection this individual has with his mother, who lives more than four hours away from the program.
“Marta is a highly regarded expert in her field and highly respected member of the treatment team,” said Garrett Cook, Program Director, NeuroRestorative Illinois
Darren Wiseman, Life Skills Trainer/Driver, NeuroRestorative Maine
Darren is a passionate musician who utilizes his craft to create motivational experiences for the individuals served by NeuroRestorative Maine. Darren has always been participant-focused, and he uses music as a way to build rapport with the individuals he serves. Shortly after starting his career at NeuroRestorative Maine, Darren partnered with one of our Recreational Therapists to obtain a rehearsal space and form a participant-led rock band. This inclusive band has served to give individuals a sense of accomplishment while simultaneously working on cognitive skills such as memory, attention to task, fine and gross motor skills, social pragmatics and more in a meaningful way. Through Darren’s leadership, the group has gone on to play at local fairs, festivals, fundraisers, and other community venues of varying sizes. He has also utilized his background in the film industry to help establish a Theater program in order to work on recall, communication skills, and abstract thinking skills.
“The words caring, valued, dedicated, knowledgeable, helpful, thoughtful, and altruistic are all words that describe a hero, and also Darren,” said Britney Bagley, Cognitive Retraining Specialist, NeuroRestorative Maine.
Mie Sun Song, CNA, NeuroRestorative California
Mie Sun is an incredible asset to the NeuroRestorative California team in Oxnard as a Certified Nursing Assistant. She is always ready to help in any situation with a warm smile and friendly disposition. Mie Sun has terrific attention-to-detail and demonstrates great judgment in her daily activities. Recently, one of the individuals served by NeuroRestorative California became lethargic and appeared pale. Mie Sun recognized this immediately and took the appropriate steps to check the individual’s vitals and provide additional support. The individual was found to be hypotensive and required extra care. Mie Sun’s ability to recognize the symptoms and act quickly allowed this individual to receive prompt medical attention when he needed it most.
“Mie Sun is compassionate to everyone she meets,” said Arlyn Miranda, RN, NeuroRestorative California.
Gloria Pickering, Spanish Services Coordinator and Community Re-Entry Specialist, NeuroRestorative California
Gloria is an exceptional Certified Medical Interpreter who serves as the Spanish Services Coordinator and Community Specialist for NeuroRestorative Orange, California. In her role, Gloria interprets therapy sessions, family conferences, medical appointments, and therapy materials for our Spanish speaking individuals and their families. She expertly establishes rapport with individuals during pre-admission evaluations at the hospital, and they are always pleased to see her again upon admission into the program. Her colleagues describe her as an extremely hard working and compassionate team member who quietly leads by example. Individuals who graduate from the program will often call to thank Gloria for her assistance and give her updates on their current activities.
“Gloria is an amazing team member who enhances the program by her dedication, creativity, initiation, attention to detail, and compassionate spirit,” said Pamela Lew, Occupational Therapist, NeuroRestorative California.
