Community Neurorehab

08/05/2026

✨Alumni Spotlight: Kadince✨

At Community NeuroRehab, we love celebrating the accomplishments of our graduates. We recently caught up with Kadince to hear about life after rehabilitation and reflect on his journey.

Q: What have you been up to since graduating from Community NeuroRehab?

A: Since graduating from CNR, I've been working on my photography business, doing concrete work, and working at Chipotle, where I'm about to become a manager.

Q: What was your favorite part of your time at Community NeuroRehab?

A: My favorite part was always having the staff there to help me throughout my day, whether it was with groceries or other daily tasks that helped me get back to living a stable life on my own. I also loved going out with Berto (staff member), who taught me how to play disc golf. Every weekend we'd go to Peninsula Park, and have fun, all while supporting me in working through life.

Q: Looking back on your rehabilitation journey, what accomplishment are you most proud of?

A: The accomplishment I'm most proud of is becoming a better person. I also got to see how much the people at CNR truly cared about the individuals they worked with. They always wanted the best for us, and I loved having that support from people who genuinely care.

Q: How did Community NeuroRehab help prepare you for this next chapter of your life?

A: CNR helped prepare me to live my life independently. It was hard at first, but they didn't just discharge me from the program without support. After I graduated, someone would still come check in with me every week or so to see how I was doing, help me figure things out, and make sure I was safe. If things weren't going well, I knew I could always count on them. That support made a big difference.

We're proud of everything you've accomplished, Kadince. Congratulations on all of your success. We can't wait to see what's next! 👏👏

08/03/2026

✨Employee Spotlight: Sydney Hotchkiss✨

Meet Sydney Hotchkiss! Sydney is a Brain Injury Specialist at our Auburn Hills location in Coralville.

Sydney graduated from the University of Iowa with bachelor's degrees in both Psychology and Criminology, Law, and Justice. She enjoys supporting participants throughout their rehabilitation journey and finds it especially rewarding to see them make progress toward achieving their goals. Being able to witness those milestones and celebrate participants' successes makes her work at Community NeuroRehab especially meaningful.

Outside of work, Sydney enjoys staying active by running and roller skating. She also loves attending concerts and music festivals whenever she gets the chance. Whether she's exploring a new trail or listening to live music, she enjoys making the most of her free time.

We're grateful to have Sydney on the CNR team and appreciate the support she provides to our participants every day. ⭐

08/03/2026

✨Employee Spotlight: Emma Pudenz ✨

Meet Emma Pudenz, a Certified Brain Injury Specialist at our Ashworth location in West Des Moines!

Emma earned her Bachelor of Science from Drake University, where she majored in Psychology with a concentration in Behavioral Analysis of Developmental Disabilities and minored in Sociology. She is currently applying to graduate programs with the goal of earning a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD).

One of Emma's favorite parts of working at Community NeuroRehab is helping participants recognize just how much progress they've made toward greater independence and achieving their personal goals. She enjoys the unique opportunity to work on activities of daily living in real-life situations, allowing participants to build practical problem-solving skills, whether that's preparing dinner and realizing there's no butter or finding creative solutions to everyday challenges.

Outside of work, Emma enjoys listening to audiobooks and podcasts while working on her latest cross-stitch or crochet project. She also loves to travel whenever she has the opportunity. One of her favorite adventures was spending two weeks exploring Europe, where she experienced world-famous art and architecture while visiting seven cities across three countries.

Emma's passion for helping others grow, combined with her curiosity and dedication to lifelong learning, makes her a valued member of our CNR team! 😄

07/02/2026

✨Employee Spotlight✨

Next up is Blair Noble! He is a Brain Injury Specialist at our Auburn Hills location in Coralville.

Blair graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a bachelor's degree in Psychology. He is passionate about supporting individuals throughout their rehabilitation journey and enjoys helping participants achieve the goals that are most meaningful to them. Seeing participants make progress and gain greater independence is one of the most rewarding parts of his role.

Outside of work, Blair enjoys fishing, traveling, and spending quality time with friends and family. His goal in life is to make each day a little brighter for others through humor and encouragement, a mindset that carries over into the support he provides each day.

A fun fact about Blair is that he has traveled to Alaska multiple times, where he lived off the grid and caught or harvested most of his own food, an experience that reflects his adventurous spirit and appreciation for the outdoors.

We're grateful to have Blair on the CNR team and appreciate the encouragement, dedication, and positive attitude he brings to those he supports. Thank you, Blair! 🙂

07/02/2026

✨Employee Spotlight✨

Meet Erin Mudd, a Certified Brain Injury Specialist at our Oneida Point location in Des Moines!

Erin earned her bachelor's degree in Social Work from Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa, with minors in Psychology and Women's Studies. She has also completed cosmetology training through the Aveda Institute and earned her 200-hour yoga teacher certification through Power Life Yoga.

What Erin enjoys most about working at Community NeuroRehab is the opportunity to build meaningful, long-term relationships with the individuals she supports. She especially loves helping participants develop everyday life skills, including building healthy personal relationships, cooking, and caring for their homes and gardens.

Outside of work, Erin enjoys traveling with her husband, spending time outdoors, and making memories with her furry family of three cats and three dogs. She also gives back to the community by volunteering as a historic tour guide at the Jordan House and working on gardening projects with the Master Gardeners of Polk County.

Thank you, Erin, for the compassion, dedication, and positive impact you bring to our participants and team every day! 🙂

06/05/2026

Three successful discharges in one week. 🎉

At Community NeuroRehab, it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day work. Progress often happens through small moments, consistent support, and showing up every single day, even when the finish line isn't yet in sight.

That's why weeks like this are so meaningful.

Over the past week, we have celebrated three successful program discharges. While these accomplishments belong first and foremost to the individuals who worked hard to achieve their goals, they also serve as a reminder of the impact our staff make every day.

These successes are made possible by the dedication of our entire team. From our Brain Injury Specialists providing day-to-day support, to Clinical Leadership, Case Managers, and Administrative staff working behind the scenes, every role contributes to helping participants achieve meaningful goals and greater independence.

Thank you to our team for your patience, dedication, compassion, and belief in the people we serve. The work you do matters, and this week's successes are a reflection of that.

P.S. We're hiring!

06/04/2026

🌟 Employee Spotlight: Jordan Rios-Huff 🌟

This month, we're excited to recognize Jordan Rios-Huff, our Operations Assistant at Glen Oaks in Coralville!

Jordan has been a dedicated member of the Community NeuroRehab team for nearly five and a half years. Throughout her career with CNR, she has taken on several roles, including Brain Injury Specialist, Clinical Coordinator, and Operations Assistant at both of our Coralville locations. Her willingness to grow, adapt, and support multiple programs has made her a valuable member of the CNR team.

Jordan graduated from the University of Iowa with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Social Work. She is passionate about increasing awareness of brain injury and supporting survivors in achieving their goals. Through her work at CNR, Jordan has developed meaningful relationships with survivors, families, and community partners while helping promote positive outcomes and greater community inclusion.

In addition to maintaining her Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) credential, Jordan recently earned her Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer (CBIST) certification. She is also actively involved in the brain injury community, volunteering as a co-facilitator for the Iowa City Area Brain Injury Support Group, where she helps connect survivors and families with resources, support, and advocacy opportunities.

Outside of work, Jordan enjoys cooking, baking, gardening, and spending time with her husband and daughter. She is also passionate about brain injury advocacy and hopes to continue making an impact through future leadership opportunities within the brain injury community.

Thank you, Jordan, for your dedication, leadership, and commitment to making a difference in the lives of those we serve! 👏👏

06/04/2026

🌟 Employee Spotlight: Patrick Rayburn-Slifer 🌟

This month, we're excited to recognize Patrick Rayburn-Slifer, a Certified Brain Injury Specialist at our Timberland location in Ames!

Patrick holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Statistics and will begin pursuing his PhD in Clinical Psychology at Louisiana State University this September. We are excited to see him continue his educational journey as he takes this next step toward earning his doctorate.

When asked about his favorite part of working at CNR, Patrick shared that he enjoys the opportunity to work across different homes and interact with a diverse group of individuals, each offering unique experiences and perspectives.

Outside of work, Patrick is an accomplished runner and a three-time Boston Marathon qualifier (wow!). He is also an award-winning baker, having won "Best Baked Good in Iowa" for the past four years with his snickerdoodle recipe! One of the most surprising facts about Patrick is that he has never had a sense of taste or smell.

We are grateful for Patrick's dedication, positivity, and commitment to the individuals we serve. Congratulations on your upcoming PhD journey, Patrick! We can't wait to see all that you accomplish.

Thank you for being part of the CNR team! 🙂

06/02/2026

Community NeuroRehab of Iowa is currently hiring in Coralville, Des Moines, and Ames!

We have a variety of scheduling options available, including:

• Full-Time
• Part-Time
• PRN
• Day Shifts
• Evening Shifts
• Overnight Shifts

As an employee of Community NeuroRehab, you will receive specialized training, mentoring, and support which will enable you to provide high-quality rehabilitation services to individuals with brain injuries as they work toward greater independence and participation in their communities.

If you are interested in joining our team, or know someone who may be a good fit, please visit our Job Opportunities page to apply:

https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/All/d3a55e21-5b75-422b-ac03-e0637ef44b4b/Community-NeuroRehab

Please share this post with anyone who may be interested in joining our team!

Community NeuroRehab Careers Page - View all jobs and opportunities at Community NeuroRehab and apply today. | Powered By Paylocity

06/01/2026

🎉 Congratulations, Brian! 🎉

After three years with Community NeuroRehab, Brian is taking the next step in his journey and transitioning to a lower level of care today.

Throughout his time with CNR, Brian has made tremendous progress and worked hard toward his goals of greater independence and community involvement. One of his proudest accomplishments has been regaining community employment at Pizza Ranch.

When reflecting on his time at CNR, Brian shared that his favorite part was the people. He appreciated the supportive and fun staff who encouraged him along the way, as well as the connections he built with housemates over the years. Brian says CNR taught him that every day comes with challenges, and having supportive people around you can make all the difference.

As he prepares to move to the Amana Colonies, Brian is looking forward to living more independently, taking things one day at a time, and enjoying life after rehabilitation. In his free time, he enjoys playing pool, baking, and cooking. Looking ahead, he hopes to continue meeting new people and becoming even more socially confident within his community.

Brian says he is feeling great and ready for this next step in life, and we couldn't be prouder of all he has accomplished.

Please join us in congratulating Brian and wishing him continued success as he begins this exciting new chapter! 👏