Serving with Dignity & Compassion

The healthcare industry is always evolving and changing. Adapting quickly to this ever-changing landscape is crucial for serving patients and communities. Successful leaders in the healthcare arena are able to assess the current state of their organizations and the needs of the community they serve. They can determine what changes are necessary to create sustainable transformation for the future.

Susan Nimnuan, the Vice President of Brightstar Care, is an exemplary leader who has dedicated herself to serving patients, her team, and the community with dignity, compassion, and respect. Susan's passion lies in ensuring that Brightstar Care maintains the highest standard of home care. She inspires her staff to embrace their talents and empowers them to become leaders in their respective roles, while also excelling as professionals. Despite the healthcare industry experiencing a loss of 333,942 workers in 2021, Susan's strong leadership has fostered a positive work environment at Brightstar Care that supports employees and cultivates leadership at all levels.

Susan Nimnuan has always prioritized being a leader, rather than simply a manager or boss. Her vision is to be an influencer, motivator, and servant leader, guiding and supporting her team members to excel and make a positive impact. Susan is passionate about nurturing talent and helping passionate professionals develop their skills and expertise, enabling them to have a fulfilling career and contribute meaningfully. She believes that investing in her team is the most rewarding aspect of leadership. Susan takes her role seriously, recognizing that she has the opportunity to shape the lives of those she works with, helping them grow both personally and professionally. As a member of C12, a Christian Leadership Group, Susan has further expanded her knowledge and skills, enhancing her ability to lead with wisdom and integrity.

Susan's leadership within the team and community has been truly remarkable. This was especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she demonstrated her role as a community leader. Despite the in-home care industry being overlooked in terms of emergency rules, resources, and support, Susan took it upon herself to advocate for her industry, staff, patients, and community.

One significant action Susan took was investing in Brightstar Care's COVID testing machine and equipment. This allowed them to offer free testing to anyone in need. Furthermore, when the vaccine became available, Susan single-handedly challenged the state system for the homebound and established her own homebound program. As a result, Brightstar Care became the sole home care agency in Florida to become a Vaccine Provider and acquired all the necessary equipment

Susan's perseverance and hard work yielded successful results as she successfully obtained vaccines through the local health departments. Her dedication to her industry, staff, patients, and community is a shining example of her exceptional leadership abilities.

One of the remarkable outcomes of Susan's efforts was BrightStar Care's homebound vaccination program. This program played a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of over 500 homebound seniors, veterans, and adults with special needs. By administering vaccinations in the comfort of their own homes, along with their families and caregivers, Susan and her team made a significant impact on the health and protection of these individuals.

Susan took on the role of Chair for the 2024 Annual Fundraiser of the Parkinson's Association of SWFL, named "A Step Forward: Overcoming Obstacles," with special guest Sugar Ray Leonard. This cause holds deep personal significance for Susan, as her grandfather fought against Parkinson's disease. Volunteering with this organization and actively participating in their numerous events throughout the year is not only one of Susan's greatest passions, but also a way for her to stay connected to her grandfather's memory and keep his spirit alive. Through her involvement with the Parkinson's Association, Susan has had the privilege of meeting incredible individuals whose stories have touched her heart and changed her life. These newfound friends have enriched her life in many ways, and she feels honored to learn about their experiences and share their stories.

Susan's commitment to serving her community and going above and beyond to meet their needs demonstrates her outstanding leadership skills. Her tireless efforts in securing vaccines and implementing the homebound vaccination program truly made a difference in the lives of many vulnerable individuals.

Running a home care company in SWFL comes with numerous challenges, particularly due to the region's vulnerability to hurricanes. Susan's exceptional leadership once again proved invaluable when her community was struck by the devastating hurricane Ian in October 2022. This powerful hurricane wreaked havoc across Naples and Ft. Myers FL, leaving many of her staff and clients with significant losses.

However, thanks to Susan's meticulous and comprehensive emergency management plan (CEMP), she and her team were able to evacuate everyone safely before the storm hit. This was no small feat, considering the number of clients they serve, the staff they employ, and the complexities associated with an approaching hurricane. Throughout the entire process, from preparation to during and after the storm, Susan's leadership and detailed plan ensured the smooth operation of their services, keeping everyone safe and out of harm's way.

Following the storm, Susan and her team immediately sprang into action to provide support to their clients and staff who had suffered losses. Some had lost belongings, cars, and even homes. Through the collective efforts of her team, they were able to assist all staff and clients in their recovery, helping them rebuild their lives and regain stability in the aftermath of the hurricane. Susan's dedication to her team and clients, coupled with her effective leadership, played a vital role in navigating the challenges brought about by the devastating hurricane Ian.

In 2024, Susan has exciting plans in store to make the year even more rewarding. One of her key endeavors is launching a Podcast that focuses on various topics related to senior care, aging, and planning. Susan envisions this Podcast to be informative, lighthearted, and deeply meaningful, providing valuable insights to its listeners. As she says “we are taught about retiring and financial planning, but who teaches us about the aging process, what to expect and how to prepare”?

Furthermore, Susan is committed to improving the services provided by BrightStar Care. She is currently focused on developing two new programs that will bring additional benefits to their clients. The first program is specifically designed to enhance their existing medication management program, which happens to be a subject that Susan is deeply passionate about. Her goal is to establish a more comprehensive system that guarantees the safe and efficient administration of medications for clients by collaborating with physicians to minimize risks and optimize outcomes.

Additionally, Susan and her team are partnering with a local physician to launch a pilot program that specifically caters to individuals with Dementia and Alzheimer's. The primary objective of this program is to offer specialized support and care to low-income individuals affected by these conditions. By addressing their distinct needs and challenges, this initiative aims to improve the quality of life for these individuals and provide them with the necessary resources for comprehensive care.

Susan's commitment to innovation and improving the quality of care provided by BrightStar Care is evident through her dedication to these new initiatives in 2024.

“As a leader, I consider it a privilege to guide and inspire this incredible team while serving our community. Every day, I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to fulfill this role. It is truly a blessing that I cherish”. – Susan Nimnuan