When Maria Dernocoeur arrived in Michigan from Cuba more than 30 years ago, her primary assets were a factory job and a relentless drive for a better life. Eventually, she put herself through nursing school at the University of Detroit Mercy. It’s a path born from a desire to give back to the country that provided her a fresh start.
"I arrived with just $20 in my pocket. No English, nothing. I was just looking for a better future," Dernocoeur said. "Starting from nothing shapes how you view sacrifice. It builds empathy. You want to excel in a different culture and give your best."
That early resilience became the foundation for a two-decade career spanning oncology, acute care and home health. Today, as the vice president of New Mexico operations and director of operations for Home Halo, Dernocoeur is using that clinical perspective to bridge a massive gap in the senior care industry: the lack of professional medical oversight in non-medical home care.
After moving to Albuquerque 11 years ago, Dernocoeur balanced clinical work with her own business ventures. However, the COVID pandemic highlighted a troubling trend in the local home health landscape. She noticed agencies sending caregivers into homes without proper training (often because New Mexico law does not strictly require nursing staff for non-skilled agencies).
Dernocoeur saw an opportunity to change that standard when she met Home Halo founder and CEO, Dan Deak. Joining Deak, she’d go on to lead the New Mexico operations, building a better model where clinical excellence and business growth are inseparable.
"Many caregiver companies don’t have nursing staff because New Mexico law doesn’t require it," Dernocoeur said. "But we make it our mission to have registered nurses on staff to perform assessments and provide training so we can deliver the best care possible."
Transitioning from the bedside to leadership required a significant shift in mindset. But Dernocoeur views her nursing background as her greatest operational asset. At Home Halo New Mexico, she’s built a culture where empathy is a measurable standard, starting with a rigorous hiring process that includes video interviews and questionnaires designed to ensure a genuine connection.
Once a caregiver is hired, the clinical team remains involved. A nurse accompanies caregivers on their first visits to ensure the work meets a high standard. This hands-on approach has allowed the agency to grow through grassroots community trust, with Dernocoeur estimating that 95% of her clients know her personally.
"I believe in leading by example," she said. "Organizations tend to take on the personality of their leaders. If you’re hands-on and caring, your team will be too. They see me going the extra mile. And they do the same."
In just over two years, the New Mexico operation has seen significant growth, serving both seniors and veterans across the region. For health care professionals who are hesitant to move into the business side of the industry, Dernocoeur serves as a proof of concept that a nurse-first mentality can drive business results.
While the transition requires learning to make difficult operational decisions, she maintains that the core of the work remains largely unchanged.
"It’s very different. You have to change how you think and become more operational. But once a nurse, always a nurse," Dernocoeur said. "That caring, hands-on mentality adds a positive layer to being a business leader. I see it as a strength."
As Home Halo continues to expand its footprint, Dernocoeur is focused on maintaining the warmth informed by her Cuban roots. Because for her, the growth of the brand is an extension of a philosophy that’s quite personal.
"I’m from Cuba. We’re ‘people persons,’" she said. "We love communication, connection and love. And that’s what we bring to our work."
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/home-halo
Home Halo
SPONSORED
Former RN turned VP of Operations Maria Dernocoeur shares how Home Halo’s people-first model empowers franchisees to build purpose-driven, locally-focused, scalable senior care businesses.
When Maria Dernocoeur arrived in Michigan from Cuba more than 30 years ago, her primary assets were a factory job and a relentless drive for a better life. Eventually, she put herself through nursing school at the University of Detroit Mercy. It’s a path born from a desire to give back to the country that provided her a fresh start.
"I arrived with just $20 in my pocket. No English, nothing. I was just looking for a better future," Dernocoeur said. "Starting from nothing shapes how you view sacrifice. It builds empathy. You want to excel in a different culture and give your best."
That early resilience became the foundation for a two-decade career spanning oncology, acute care and home health. Today, as the vice president of New Mexico operations and director of operations for Home Halo, Dernocoeur is using that clinical perspective to bridge a massive gap in the senior care industry: the lack of professional medical oversight in non-medical home care.
After moving to Albuquerque 11 years ago, Dernocoeur balanced clinical work with her own business ventures. However, the COVID pandemic highlighted a troubling trend in the local home health landscape. She noticed agencies sending caregivers into homes without proper training (often because New Mexico law does not strictly require nursing staff for non-skilled agencies).
Dernocoeur saw an opportunity to change that standard when she met Home Halo founder and CEO, Dan Deak. Joining Deak, she’d go on to lead the New Mexico operations, building a better model where clinical excellence and business growth are inseparable.
"Many caregiver companies don’t have nursing staff because New Mexico law doesn’t require it," Dernocoeur said. "But we make it our mission to have registered nurses on staff to perform assessments and provide training so we can deliver the best care possible."
Transitioning from the bedside to leadership required a significant shift in mindset. But Dernocoeur views her nursing background as her greatest operational asset. At Home Halo New Mexico, she’s built a culture where empathy is a measurable standard, starting with a rigorous hiring process that includes video interviews and questionnaires designed to ensure a genuine connection.
Once a caregiver is hired, the clinical team remains involved. A nurse accompanies caregivers on their first visits to ensure the work meets a high standard. This hands-on approach has allowed the agency to grow through grassroots community trust, with Dernocoeur estimating that 95% of her clients know her personally.
"I believe in leading by example," she said. "Organizations tend to take on the personality of their leaders. If you’re hands-on and caring, your team will be too. They see me going the extra mile. And they do the same."
In just over two years, the New Mexico operation has seen significant growth, serving both seniors and veterans across the region. For health care professionals who are hesitant to move into the business side of the industry, Dernocoeur serves as a proof of concept that a nurse-first mentality can drive business results.
While the transition requires learning to make difficult operational decisions, she maintains that the core of the work remains largely unchanged.
"It’s very different. You have to change how you think and become more operational. But once a nurse, always a nurse," Dernocoeur said. "That caring, hands-on mentality adds a positive layer to being a business leader. I see it as a strength."
As Home Halo continues to expand its footprint, Dernocoeur is focused on maintaining the warmth informed by her Cuban roots. Because for her, the growth of the brand is an extension of a philosophy that’s quite personal.
"I’m from Cuba. We’re ‘people persons,’" she said. "We love communication, connection and love. And that’s what we bring to our work."
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/home-halo
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