Bryn Nadeau was about to be a first-time mom, and her nerves were overtaking her. Her baby was six days overdue, and she worried about her inexperience. However, from the moment she arrived at AdventHealth Winter Park, Nadeau said she experienced a strong sense of peace.
“I had a prolonged labor, and I didn't know the full scope of what was happening,” she said. “But [the care team] were right alongside me all the way.”
This was the first of three births Nadeau would have at AdventHealth Winter Park. “Each time, I was struck by the dedication and compassion of the care team,” she said.
Nadeau, who had a degree in exercise sports science, had spent six years working in medical sales and corporate training. Following the arrival of her children, she took an 11-year break to focus on her family.
When she was ready to return to work, Nadeau said she felt a strong desire to explore a clinical role. As she researched her options, she kept returning to one field: occupational therapy. Her personal experiences as a mother and the experience those close to her had with developmental delays fueled her curiosity and desire to help.
Transitioning to a new career later in her life came with its challenges, Nadeau said. She had been out of school for a while and wanted an environment dedicated to supporting her as an adult learner. She said she eventually found a supportive community at AdventHealth University , where she pursued a master’s degree in occupational therapy.
The emphasis on real-world clinical experiences paved the way for her to return to the same health care system that had cared for her as a new mom, but this time to serve as an intern.
During her three internships in the neonatal intensive care and cardiac units at AdventHealth Orlando, Nadeau said she witnessed firsthand the impact of early intervention across various patient populations.
“Working in a hospital wasn’t on my radar,” she said. “But being a part of a multidisciplinary team that demonstrated our service standards to patients, whether it was preterm babies or adults recovering after surgery, confirmed my desire to stay.”
Nadeau started her role as an occupational therapist at AdventHealth during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, a pivotal time that further clarified her motivations for serving. Her faith guides her daily interactions and she often reflects on a quote from her pastor: “You’ve never locked eyes with someone who doesn’t matter to God.”
Today, as a supervisor in the rehabilitation department at AdventHealth Orlando, she empowers her team to provide whole-person care. Her greatest fulfillment comes from helping patients regain confidence in their ability to perform meaningful daily activities.
“When our patients look back at their time with us, I want them to remember that they felt loved and safe in our hospital,” she said.
To learn more about the Occupational Therapy program or to apply, visit AHU.EDU/MOT.