Our Staff at BrightStar Care® Cedar Rapids / Iowa City

How long have you been a nurse?

I have been a nurse for 45 years. I spent most of my career in critical areas, such as Emergency Departments or I.C.U.s.

What expertise and experience do you bring to BrightStar Care?

I have 45 years of experience in lots of different areas. I love teaching and giving individuals options for their care.

What part of your job are you most passionate about?

I am passionate about individualizing people’s care so it meets their needs and they can own it.

What are three unique strengths you bring to BrightStar Care?

1. Knowledge of health care from different perspectives.
2. Experience giving and receiving health care in many areas.
3. The person ALWAYS makes the final decision about how we will proceed in assisting them.

With a background in social work and a commitment to patient-centered care, I’ve proudly been part of BrightStar Care since 2016. Over the years, I’ve served in a variety of roles including Caregiver, Customer Care Manager, Revenue Cycle Manager, and now Branch Manager. Each position has strengthened my passion for home care and reinforced my belief in the importance of compassionate, personalized support for every client. My goal is to ensure our team delivers exceptional care that enables our clients to stay in the place they call home.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our two energetic toddler boys, who keep life joyful and busy!

Heather has been with BrightStar Care since 2023. Prior to that she was a practicing Occupational Therapy Assistant for 20 years working in many different settings in the healthcare field, including acute hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health. Throughout her career, her passion for building relationships, being an advocate for her patients, and being someone that patients, families, and providers can depend on made transitioning to business development an exciting move. This role gives Heather the opportunity to do all of those things with the community at large. In her spare time, Heather loves to spend time with her friends and family, including her husband and her 2 boys. She enjoys watching them play baseball and basketball.

Sarah has been part of the BrightStar team for over 2 years. She started as a caregiver where she had the opportunity to interact with our clients directly.  It wasn’t long that her strengths and abilities were recognized, and she has since been promoted to joining the office team. Sarah began as the receptionist but has since excelled and has been promoted to Customer Care Manager.  Sarah thoroughly enjoys interacting with our caregivers and clients.  When Sarah is not at work she enjoys spending time with her two kids, baking and reading.

Dana has over 10 years of experience in customer service and has a passion for helping others and making things right.  Dana enjoys being able to help people and is thankful to be in a role that allows her to work with individuals that need that assistance every day.  In her spare time, Dana enjoys spending time with her family and friends.  She loves to go shopping and travel with her four children, fiancé, and 2 kittens.