Meet our Dedicated Nurse Practitioners
Treating neurological disorders requires highly specialized, personalized treatment, and nurse practitioners (NPs) are essential partners in ensuring patients receive seamless care. This Nurse Practitioner Week we’re taking a moment to honor and celebrate our NPs—Homira Feely (left middle), Kathy Huynh (right middle), Sarah Jane de Dios (right), Paul McNally (not pictured), Keri O’Connor (not pictured) and Maureen Parsons (left)—whose advanced knowledge and compassion allow us to provide outstanding care to our patients.
Read on to learn more about Homira, Kathy, Maureen and Sarah, including their favorite part of their jobs and where they can be found when they aren’t in clinic.
The Team
Homira Feely, DNP—Partners with Dr. Marc Schwartz
What is your favorite part of your job?
Working with our patients. I feel fortunate to have a career where I help people heal—physically, mentally and emotionally. My constant goal is to bring awareness and comfort to patients and their loved ones during a difficult time in their lives.
What do you wish people knew about NPs?
Nurse practitioners help patients have a voice in their treatment and better understand their own health. We empower patients to advocate for themselves, leading to healthier lives.
Where can you be found when you aren’t in clinic?
With my family, friends or traveling. With my family, friends or traveling. One of my favorite recent trips was to Ireland, where my husband was born, for a wedding. It was wonderful to see the family again.
Kathy Huynh, NP-C—Partners with Dr. David Barba
What is your favorite part of your job?
Helping patients. I love being able to come up with solutions and explain things to them. I try to make sure they understand the process so they feel comfortable with everything and empowered with their care.
What do you wish people knew about NPs?
The wide role we play in clinical care. NPs are able to educate patients and make diagnoses and treatment plans. We’re also on the front lines with patients, so we have perspective on what will likely work best for a specific individual based on their specific needs.
Where are you found when you aren’t in clinic?
I have three young kids, and we like to explore San Diego, go hiking and visit local museums.
Sarah Jane de Dios, ACNPC-AG—Partners with All Faculty
What is your favorite part of your job? Working with our team. Everyone really cares about each other and our patients. The faculty always make sure every patient feels heard and responds to all of their concerns.
What do you wish people knew about NPs?
We bridge the gap between communication and care. We ensure all aspects of care before surgery, after surgery, and for the transition from the hospital to home are optimized to meet the needs of the patient.
Where are you found when you aren’t in clinic?
I’m all about family. I’m always with my daughter and spending time with my family.
Maureen Parsons, RN, MSN, FNP-C—Partners with Drs. Joseph Osorio and William Taylor
What is your favorite part of your job?Making a difference in my patients' lives. I love seeing people come in with an acute problem that we are able to help treat. In addition, the neurosurgeons I work with, Drs. Taylor and Osorio. They are not only excellent surgeons, they are also wonderful to their patients and have taught me a great deal over the years.
What do you wish people knew about NPs?
That we are a vital part of the care team. We are directly involved in the patient's care and have a lot more autonomy than many people realize.
Where are you found when you aren’t in clinic?
Spending time with my daughter. We love to spend time in Julian at our cabin, visit the beach and hang out with our two dogs. I also enjoy reading when time allows and just finished reading "Pull of the Stars" by Emma Donoghue, which is set during WWI and tells the story of an Irish nurse working in a hospital during the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918. It was a great read and I highly recommend it.