Patient Growth and Engagement Lead Shares What It Means to Live Strive’s One Team Core Value

Brendan McHale didn’t start his career in kidney care with a personal connection to the disease. But after two and a half years at Strive Health, his “why” — the deeper reason he chooses to work at Strive — has taken shape in a different way: through the impact of the work itself. 

As a Lead within the Patient Growth and Engagement function, Brendan helps connect patients to care, often during moments when they need it most. Recognized for embodying Strive’s core value of One Team, he’s built his role around collaboration, curiosity and a shared goal of helping patients access the support they deserve. 

Every Striver brings their unique motivations, passions and purposes to their work, and their individual “why” is what makes Strive special. In this Q&A, Brendan shares more about why he Strives, the work his team leads and what keeps him motivated. 

Q: Brendan, can you walk us through your role at Strive?
A: My role as a Lead within our Patient Growth and Engagement function is really about helping patients connect with the care and resources available to them. 

We don’t operate like traditional marketing where you’re reaching a broad audience. We’re working with a defined group of patients, so the challenge is figuring out how to meet them where they are and help them take that next step in their care journey. 

I work closely with our marketing partners to tailor outreach based on where a patient is, whether we’ve connected with them before, or if we’re still trying to reach them. I also partner with our call center teams to think through how we engage patients day to day — from who we’re calling to how those conversations happen. 

A big part of the role is also tracking what’s working and what’s not. That data helps us adjust and improve, so we’re always getting better at connecting patients to care. 

Q: What led you to Strive and to healthcare more broadly?
A: Before Strive, I worked at a large tech company in their healthcare division, helping implement electronic medical record systems in hospitals. That was my first real exposure to healthcare. 

When I left, I knew I wanted something smaller and more hands-on — somewhere I could really get into the details and see the impact of the work. 

I don’t have a personal story tied to kidney disease, and I think that’s important to say. But what stood out to me about Strive is the model itself. In value-based care, the goal is simple: patients stay healthier, and everyone benefits from that. 

There’s something powerful about working in a system where the incentive is aligned with better outcomes. It makes the work feel meaningful in a very real way. 

Q: What does “Why I Strive” mean to you?
A: For me, it comes down to impact. Even though I’m not interacting with patients directly, I can almost always connect what I’m working on to a better outcome for someone. It might be one or two steps removed, but it’s there. 

There are definitely stressful moments like tight deadlines and big projects, but when you take a step back and think about what the work actually leads to, it changes your perspective. You’re not just building a report or refining a campaign. You’re helping create a better way to reach patients who need support and making it more likely they’ll get the care they deserve. 

That’s what keeps me motivated. 

Q: You were recently recognized at Strive for living out the One Team core value. What does that look like in your day-to-day work?
A: To me, One Team is about being willing to jump in, even if something isn’t technically your responsibility. I started in a central operations role, so I had exposure to different parts of the business early on. That gave me a broader view of how everything connects. I’ve tried to carry that forward by staying involved across teams and helping wherever I can. 

A lot of that is just being curious and open to learning. If there’s an opportunity to contribute or understand something new, I’ll take it. And honestly, it’s not something I think about as ‘going above and beyond.’  

It just feels like the right way to work, especially in a company where so much depends on collaboration. 

Q: What makes collaboration work well at Strive?
A: It starts with the people. 

There’s a real willingness across the organization to help each other succeed. You don’t get emails asking, “Why isn’t this done yet?” Instead you get, “How can I help?” That mindset makes a huge difference. It creates an environment where people are more willing to step in, share ideas and solve problems together. 

For me personally, mentorship has also played a big role. I’ve had leaders who invested time in helping me grow, and that’s shaped how I approach my own work. You start to see how much you can learn from the people around you, and how important it is to contribute to that environment. 

Q: How does your work connect back to patient impact?
A: Even though I’m not on the clinical side, I see the impact through the outcomes and the stories that come back.  

We hear from care teams about patients who finally feel like someone is helping them navigate their care, connecting the dots between providers and addressing gaps that weren’t being managed before. Sometimes it’s as simple as hearing that a patient conversation felt different or that someone finally got the support they needed. 

Strive also does a great job sharing those stories internally. It helps keep everyone grounded in why we’re here, especially when the work gets busy.   

Q: What advice would you give someone new to Strive?
A: Be willing to learn and welcome feedback with open arms. There are a lot of Strivers with years and years of experience that are willing to share and help one another.  

Strive is the kind of place where you really get out what you put in. You can stay focused on your role — or you can lean in, ask questions and learn how the entire organization works. 

I’ve found that the more you engage, the more you grow. And in a company like this, where everything ultimately ties back to helping patients, that growth feels meaningful. 

Q: What keeps you motivated looking ahead?
A: I’m motivated by the opportunity to keep improving how we reach and support patients. There’s still a lot of work to do, and that’s exciting. Every improvement we make, whether it’s in how we engage patients or how we coordinate care, has a real impact. Being part of that is what makes the work worth it.

To explore Career opportunities at Strive, visit StriveHealth.com/Careers.