Kate Bernard is a leader in the field of brain injury rehabilitation, currently serving as the Administrative Director for the Center for Brain Injuries at Hackensack Meridian Health’s JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute. With a career spanning over two decades, she has dedicated her work to enhancing the lives of individuals affected by brain injuries through clinical innovation, program development, and patient-centered care.
At the JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute Kate oversees the daily operations of the brain injury continuum, including the acute and subacute rehabilitation units as well as the outpatient cognitive program. Prior to her current role, Kate served as the Director of Case Management at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation for over a decade. There, she honed her expertise in strategic leadership, patient outcomes, and complex case management, with a specialization in caring for patients with Disorders of Consciousness.
Her commitment to the field of brain injury extends to shaping national standards of care. She served as a member of the CARF International Standards Advisory Committee, where her input led to the creation of 24 new specialty program standards for Disorders of Consciousness. She has presented at national conferences, sharing her expertise on topics such as enhancing patient care and improving team satisfaction in complex rehabilitation settings.
Kate holds a Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University and is a Licensed Social Worker and a Certified Case Manager.