Her Story
About Brianna
Brianna Prendergast is a healthcare operations leader with more than 13 years of experience advancing innovative models of care that improve patient outcomes and expand access to high-quality healthcare. As Director of Integrated Operations at DispatchHealth, she oversees hospital alternative care programs across three markets, helping deliver hospital-level care to patients in the comfort of their homes through a combination of in-person clinical teams and 24/7 virtual care. Serving as the primary liaison between health system partners and internal operations teams, Prendergast leads strategic initiatives focused on operational excellence, process improvement, and seamless care delivery.
Prendergast began her healthcare career in medical insurance, billing, and coding before discovering her passion for home-based care while supporting a home-based primary care practice at Northwestern Medicine. That experience inspired her to pursue increasingly impactful leadership roles dedicated to expanding complex care beyond traditional hospital settings. Throughout her career, she has helped launch and optimize advanced care-at-home programs, guided cross-functional teams through organizational change, and built collaborative partnerships that strengthen patient-centered care. Her expertise spans healthcare operations, implementation, workflow optimization, and stakeholder engagement, all driven by a commitment to creating a more accessible and compassionate healthcare system.
At the heart of Prendergast's leadership is a deep belief in compassion, advocacy, and empathetic service. Her professional mission is shaped by her personal experience coordinating care for her great-grandmother, enabling her to age safely and comfortably at home while preserving her dignity and independence. She encourages the next generation of healthcare leaders to embrace new opportunities, remain connected to their purpose, and never lose sight of the people they serve. Outside of her professional responsibilities, Prendergast volunteers with the Humanitarian Service Project, supporting seniors in DuPage County through programs that provide essential resources and companionship to older adults in need.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Brianna
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the opportunities I've had in my role at DispatchHealth, the values that guide my work, and the personal experiences that have shaped my passion for improving patient care. Those experiences have given me a strong sense of purpose and continue to motivate me to make a meaningful difference every day.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of the best pieces of career advice I've received was that it's okay to slow down. Early in my career, I worked in fast-paced operations and implementation roles where there was constant pressure to solve problems quickly. A former boss and mentor reminded me that I don't always have to have the answer immediately and that the fastest solution isn't always the best one. That advice has stayed with me and continues to remind me to be thoughtful, intentional, and focused on finding the right solution rather than simply the quickest one.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage them to be open to trying new opportunities and not be afraid to step outside their comfort zone. Just as importantly, be clear about your "why." Find work that gives you a sense of purpose, where you feel you are making a meaningful impact. When you're passionate about what you do, it becomes much easier to stay motivated, continue learning, and bring your best to work every day.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges is delivering high-quality care in patients' homes while managing the many variables that come with providing care outside of a traditional hospital setting. Factors such as traffic, weather, scheduling, and geographic coverage all add complexity to ensuring patients receive the care they need at the right time. At the same time, we're continually adapting our technology and services to meet evolving customer needs while balancing the priorities of multiple stakeholders. Those challenges also create opportunities to improve care delivery, strengthen collaboration, and drive meaningful innovation in healthcare.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Compassion is at the heart of everything I do. I strive to be a fearless advocate for our patients and customers while leading with empathy, loyalty, and support for my team. My passion for this work is deeply personal. I helped coordinate care for my great-grandmother so she could remain at home during the later years of her life, and that experience reinforced my belief in the importance of giving people the choice to receive care with dignity in the comfort of their own homes whenever it is safe and appropriate. That experience continues to inspire my commitment to our mission and the impact we can make in people's lives.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.