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At BrightStar Care, compassion and clinical excellence are at the heart of everything we do. Every day, our nurses and caregivers bring comfort, dignity, and healing to families across the country. This year, we’re proud to celebrate those who go above and beyond through our annual Best & Brightest Nurse of the Year and Caregiver of the Year Awards.
Honoring Exceptional Care
We created the Best & Brightest Awards to recognize the extraordinary members of our care team who exemplify our core values: compassion, integrity, excellence, trustworthiness, accountability, and reliability. Each year, we invite clients, family members, and team members to nominate nurses and caregivers who have made a profound difference in their lives.
Hundreds of nominations are submitted annually, and each story reminds us why we do what we do. These nominations celebrate not only professional skill, but also the deep personal connections formed through compassionate care, the kind of connections that define who we are as a brand and as a community.
This year, we’re proud to recognize eight incredible individuals from across the West, Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast regions for their outstanding commitment to a higher standard of care. From that group, two exceptional caregivers were chosen as our national winners.
Our 2025 National Winners
Our 2025 Caregiver of the Year, Gabiola “Gabby” Jean from BrightStar Care of Norwalk, Connecticut, is known for her calming presence and genuine compassion. Over the past two years, Gabby has become far more than a caregiver to her client, she’s a trusted friend. By encouraging her client to rediscover joy through outdoor activities, woodworking, live music, and bocce ball, she has helped transform everyday care into a life filled with meaning and laughter.
Our 2025 Nurse of the Year, Christina Roddy from BrightStar Care of Aurora, Colorado, inspires us all with her tireless advocacy and empathy. One of her patients shared words that deeply moved us: “Christina is more than a nurse, she’s the reason I’m still here.” Christina has a remarkable ability to see each person as more than their diagnosis. She speaks up when something isn’t right, pushes for better treatment, and gives her patients the confidence to keep fighting, a true example of what it means to deliver care with both skill and heart.
Celebrating Our Regional Winners
We also want to recognize our regional Best & Brightest winners for the extraordinary compassion and excellence they bring to their work each day:
Julia Allen - Asheville, NC
Nasteho Omar - Burnsville / South St. Paul, MN
Natasha Thibodeau - Carlsbad, CA
Madelyn Leader - York, PA
Landon Carson - Charlottesville, VA
Ainsley Burlingam - Centerville / South Dayton, OH
Each of these outstanding professionals received a $5,000 award to honor the lasting impact they’ve made on the individuals and families they serve.
Our Commitment to a Higher Standard of Care
“Our caregivers are at the heart of everything we do,” said Andy Ray, our CEO. “Recognizing their dedication reinforces our appreciation for their work and reflects our unwavering commitment to supporting and celebrating the people who make a tangible difference every single day.”
We believe that exceptional care starts with exceptional people, those who lead with empathy, who show up for others, and who go above and beyond to deliver a higher standard of home health care. The Best & Brightest Awards are our way of celebrating their excellence and reminding our entire network that compassion is the foundation of everything we do.
Learn More About Our Brightest Stars
We’re honored to shine a spotlight on this year’s incredible winners and to celebrate all the caregivers and nurses who make BrightStar Care a trusted name in premium home health care and medical staffing.
To learn more about the 2025 Best & Brightest Award winners, visit www.brightstarcare.com
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