In Memoriam: ARN Board President, Mary Ellen Hatch

It is with deep sorrow that the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) share news of the passing of our esteemed and beloved 2023-2024 Board President, Mary Ellen Hatch, MSN RN CRRN FARN, on Sunday, November 12, 2023, following an unexpected medical emergency.  Let's take a moment to reflect on her outstanding achievements within ARN and the rehabilitation nursing world.

ARN Volunteerism 

Before her time on the Board of Directors, Mary Ellen dedicated over 15 years to our organization, contributing significantly as a member. She was steadfast and committed to advancing the mission and strategy of ARN, consistently pushing boundaries to propel the organization forward. 

Committee Work 

​ Her impactful contributions to the Budget and Finance Committee, Advancing Science and Practice Committee, and a Government Task Force. Notably, she played a pivotal role in the 2022 Conference Planning Committee, overseeing the introduction of ARN's innovative conference hybrid pricing structure, allowing members to access content both in-person and virtually. This pricing structure is still in use in the upcoming 2024 Rehab Nursing Conference.

Board Member Achievements 

From committees to the national board, Mary Ellen's journey to the Board of Directors began in 2020, initially as a director and later ascending to the role of President-Elect in 2022. Her primary focus on engagement and inclusivity made these principles the cornerstone of ARN's strategic plan, a framework we continue to build upon.

"Mary Ellen was the fiercest advocate for rehabilitation nursing that I have ever met. She was uncompromising in her pursuit of the highest quality of rehabilitation care for all individuals, especially individuals from underserved communities."

-  ARN Board of Directors Secretary-Treasurer, Grace Campbell, PhD MSW BSN CRRN FARN ​

Collaborative Initiatives 

She pioneered new partnerships between Encompass and ARN, known as the Institutional Membership, providing over 250 Encompass employees access to ARN benefits, certification discounts, conference registrations, and so much more. She collaborated a partnership with Chamberlain University and Walden University so that ARN members can save on tuition in 2022.

ARN Awards and Accolades 

In 2021, she was recognized as a Fellow of ARN (FARN) and received the prestigious ARN President's Award from Past President, Pat Quigley, PhD APRN CRRN FAAN FAANP FARN, acknowledging her outstanding contributions to rehabilitation nursing and ARN.

Mentorship and Leadership 

Her passion and commitment for mentorship and the development of leaders can be found exemplified by her initiative of an ARN webinar series on leadership, that can be found in the ARN Learning Center: Post-Acute Care Nursing Leadership Series Bundle. Mary Ellen's dedication to fostering individuals into leadership roles was shown through her active mentoring, guiding others to realize and surpass their true potential.

Pandemic Adjustments 

As a visionary leader, her active engagement within ARN empowered the organization to navigate the uncertainties of the pandemic and begin a renewed focus on organizational growth. She was steadfast on getting out of the pandemic rut, not just organizationally, but within the rehabilitation nursing industry.

Encompass Health 

Her influence extended far beyond the boardroom and ARN membership, leading teams as the Vice President of Nursing Operations, Encompass Health Corporation. It was here that her passion for mentorship and the development of leaders made her a compassionate and dynamic supervisor and colleague. She began her tenure with Encompass Health in 1994 as a nurse supervisor at Encompass in Memphis and worked her way to become the national chief nursing officer. During her 38-year career, she inspired countless nurses and other clinicians.

"She was a critical thinker who supported the entire clinical excellence team with her drive to provide excellent clinical care. She was a supportive leader who was loved not only by our department, but by regional and hospital nurse leaders throughout the company."

- Encompass Health Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Lisa Charbonneau

Next at ARN 

In accordance with our bylaws, the ARN President-Elect will be stepping in as president at this time. Stay tuned for more communication in the coming weeks.

"I am truly blessed to have known Mary Ellen and to share her vision for enhancing rehab clinical care and supporting rehabilitation nurses, no matter where they work."

- Incoming Board President, Maureen Musto, MS RN APRN-CNS ACNS-BC CRRN FARN

Remembering Mary Ellen 

Those who knew Mary Ellen saw that her strong-willed nature was always paired with her humor, wit, and contagious laugh. She knew how to take lighthearted aspects of leadership and combine them with the importance of laughter and fun in the pursuit of professional growth.

We encourage you to share your memories, thoughts, and condolences with the rest of your rehabilitation nursing community on Member Circle. Incoming President, Maureen Musto, posted a message for members to use as a grieving area. The title of the post is "As We Mourn ARN Board President, Mary Ellen Hatch."

About Mary Ellen 

Mary Ellen Hatch, Vice President, Nursing Operations, Encompass Health Corporation, had over 38 years of nursing experience. She was involved in rehabilitation practice for 29 years, serving in nursing and quality roles, both regionally and corporately. Holding a Master of Science Degree in Nursing Leadership and Administration, she was certified as a rehabilitation nurse. An active member of the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses, Hatch served on the ARN Board of Directors and was elected President-Elect in 2023. As a subject matter expert in post-acute care, Hatch served on the Continuum of Care Committee for the American Organization for Nursing Leadership. During the pandemic, Hatch spoke several times regarding COVID-19's impact on rehabilitation nursing and published an article on the topic in Nursing Administration Quarterly. In 2021, Hatch was named a Fellow in the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses.