Maureen O’Shea Discusses the Supportive and Patient-Centered Environment at Burke Rehabilitation

We recently sat down with Maureen O’Shea, SHRM-CP, Vice President (VP) of Human Resources (HR) at Burke Rehabilitation, to discuss her role at Burke Rehabilitation and the recent recognition as one of 914INC.’s “2025 Best Places to Work in Westchester County” for the second consecutive year.

In your words, can you tell us about your role at Burke?

As the Vice President of Human Resources at Burke, I lead a dedicated team responsible for overseeing all aspects of human resources within the organization. Our team manages the entire employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, engagement, retention, benefits administration, employee relations, and offboarding. At Burke, we cultivate a hands-on, community-focused culture. In my role, I am fortunate to be actively involved in every facet of HR including employee events. For example, during Thanksgiving, I had the privilege of personally distributing pies to staff, which allowed me to build stronger connections. Additionally, I make it a priority to regularly round among staff to ensure open communication and foster a supportive environment.

How would you describe the staff at Burke?

At Burke, our staff—whom we proudly refer to as the “Burke Family”—are the heart of our supportive, patient-centered environment. They are the driving force behind bringing our mission to life. That’s why, when we set out to define a new set of organizational values, we asked our employees to take the lead. Burke staff chose the values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Exceeding Expectations, and Service Excellence —together forming the acronym C.A.R.E.S.—as the defining principles of our organization. I believe these values perfectly capture who we are.

Burke C.A.R.E.S exemplifies our commitment to restoring hope to the people that come through our doors, during their times of greatest need. The values reflect how we treat one another as colleagues and how we care for patients across care settings. At Burke, our mission is to help our patients achieve their maximum functional recovery, whether within the walls of our hospital or at our outpatient sites. The fact that the C.A.R.E.S acronym was created by the employees captures how deeply they value both the patient experience and their roles within the organization. It’s a testament to their dedication and commitment.

What initiatives have Burke led to create a sense of community in the workplace?

At Burke, the sense of community is a cornerstone of our culture, and it’s one of the things our employees consistently say they love most about working here. This community-focused atmosphere is also a key factor in attracting candidates during the recruitment process. From the first interaction at the welcome desk to every touchpoint with our team, candidates and employees alike often note the strong sense of connection and belonging at Burke.

Our team is deeply patient-focused and actively drives initiatives that foster community in the workplace. Here are a few recent examples:

• Heels & Wheels 5K Road Race & Walk and Kids Fun Run: This annual event brings participants of all ability levels together to compete in a supportive environment. Community members line the course to cheer participants on, making it a truly special day for everyone involved.

• Support Groups for Patients and Community Members: Burke hosts both virtual and in-person support groups for individuals living with an amputation, Multiple Sclerosis, or those who have experienced spinal cord or brain injuries. These groups not only provide valuable resources but also create a sense of community and support for patients and their families.

• In addition to these initiatives, we work tirelessly to create an environment where every employee feels connected to our mission and their impact on the patient experience. As a 24/7/365 operation, we make sure every shift is supported. For example, HR holds office hours for all shifts—including overnight—so every employee has the opportunity to ask questions, provide feedback, and feel that their voice is heard.

  We also celebrate our successes together, recognizing that our staff are the driving force behind Burke’s achievements and high patient experience scores. Patients choose Burke because they know they will receive exceptional care, and every employee contributes to delivering on that promise.

• What does 914INC.’s Best Places to Work in Westchester 2025 award recognize, and what does this recognition mean for Burke?

  This award holds special significance for Burke because it reflects the voices of our employees. The rankings are based on a 914INC. survey in which employees rate their overall satisfaction with various aspects of their work life and environment. Additionally, the survey gathers input from our leadership team and managers regarding benefits and workplace policies. This recognition celebrates Burke’s ability to foster an outstanding sense of community, connection, and purpose within our workforce.
• Being named one of the best places to work is a tremendous honor, as it highlights the strong support our employees have for Burke. When we received this recognition last year, the entire staff was thrilled, and a sense of enthusiasm echoed throughout the halls of our hospital and outpatient sites. Now, as back-to-back recipients of this award, that excitement has only grown, reinforcing our commitment to maintaining a workplace where employees feel valued and connected to our mission.

What are Burke’s future goals in continuing to foster a positive environment for staff?

We are dedicated to fostering open communication and actively engaging our staff by listening to their feedback at all levels of the organization. Our Executive Director, Scott Edelman, maintains a strong presence and plays an integral role in employee outreach efforts, including town halls, to ensure meaningful, one-on-one connections with our team members. At Burke, we emphasize the value of being stronger together and encourage open dialogue across all levels of the organization.