A nurse’s journey to Memorial Meet Neha Patel, one of our exceptional nurses Neha Patel’s path to a nursing career at Memorial is one marked by courage, resilience and the unwavering support of those around her. Originally from India, Patel moved to the United States in 2023 with her husband, leaving behind familiarity and stepping into a completely new chapter, personally and professionally. She grew up speaking Gujarati and didn’t have to fluently speak English until she went to college. The language barrier was among the many challenges she faced while adjusting to life and work in the U.S. healthcare system. In India, Patel had trained briefly in an emergency room, but the differences came with a learning curve. There, charting was done on paper, and the technology was minimal. Here, learning the electronic medical record system, new clinical protocols and the limits of nursing scope were all steep learning curves. Pushing forward to achieve a dream Despite the challenges, Patel pushed forward with humble perseverance. “There’s no way I could be here without my husband, parents and in-laws,” she says. “They’ve shown me so much love and support.” She also found comfort and connection in the local community of Indian families, many from the same region she grew up in, who helped her feel more at home in southwest Louisiana. At work, Patel’s team became an unexpected second family. “My coworkers took care of me like mothers, always asking if I was okay or if I needed anything,” she recalls. “My supervisors and preceptor were so kind and helpful. I’m so thankful that Jada, my nursing director, gave me this opportunity and never stopped believing in me.” Neha Patel, BSN, RN was honored with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. 18 Memorial Medical Milestones • 2025 Issue 2 Neha and her parents at her college graduation.
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