2025 Award Winner Spotlight: Direct Patient Care Award

The Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) is proud to announce the recipient of the 2025 Direct Patient Care Award - Corinne Twombly, BSN, RN, CRRN.  As a Clinical Supervisor on the Spinal Cord Injury Unit at Carolinas Rehabilitation - Charlotte, Corinne exemplifies excellence in hands-on rehabilitation nursing. Her care is patient-centered, evidence-based and delivered with extraordinary compassion. 

Leading Patient Care Through Innovation and Collaboration

Corinne is known for her thoughtful, hands-on approach to rehabilitation care. She consistently seeks out ways to improve safety, strengthen communication, and support patients in reaching their highest level of independence.

One of her most meaningful contributions is the Bowel and Bladder Stoplight Project, a visual tool she co-developed to help spinal cord injury patients understand and participate in their continence care before discharge. The project has had a noticeable impact on patient confidence and autonomy, while also improving coordination among the interdisciplinary team.

She also led the implementation of the Tortoise Project, a pilot introducing an advanced turning and positioning system to reduce pressure injuries. Corinne organized the logistics, trained staff, and oversaw its rollout, ensuring the project translated smoothly into daily practice. Her attention to detail and commitment to patient comfort played a major role in its success.

Clinical Judgment Rooted in Experience and Advocacy 

Corinne's ability to recognize subtle changes in a patient's condition and intervene quickly is one of her greatest strengths. A notable example occurred when she cared for a spinal cord injury patient experiencing symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia. The signs were easy to overlook, but Corinne identified the pattern immediately.

She paused all non-essential activity, completed a focused assessment, and discovered a distended bladder was the likely cause. She initiated bladder decompression, worked with the medical team, and monitored the patient closely until symptoms resolved. Throughout the process, she explained what was happening in a calm, reassuring way that helped both the patient and family feel informed and safe.

Moments like these reflect Corinne's depth of knowledge and her steady presence at the bedside, qualities that have earned the respect of her colleagues and the trust of her patients.

A Trusted Resource for Colleagues and Families

​Beyond her clinical responsibilities, Corinne is someone her team relies on daily. She mentors new nurses, supports experienced staff through complex cases, and offers clear, practical guidance during challenging situations. Her calm demeanor and willingness to teach have made her a valued resource on the unit.

Corinne's approach to care extends to families as well. She takes the time to explain what to expect, answer questions, and help them prepare for life after discharge, ensuring they feel ready and supported during a difficult transition.

Q&A with Corinne Twombly 

Q: What does this honor mean to you? 

This award really means a lot because it represents what rehab nursing is all about. In our world, success isn't just about treating an injury, it's about helping someone get back to their life, their community, and the things that matter to them. That takes creativity and a lot of problem-solving, and it also takes being a strong advocate for your patients.

Rehab nurses often have to speak up when others may not fully understand what a spinal cord injury patient needs in the moment. A big part of our job is stepping in, educating, and making sure we're doing what's safest and best for the patient.

I actually found out later that my nomination came from a situation involving autonomic dysreflexia. It was a medical emergency, and there were a lot of voices in the room, but I knew we needed to pause and address what was really happening. Moments like that remind me how important our role is.

So to be recognized for something that reflects the heart of rehab nursing: advocacy, creativity, and truly seeing the patient, is incredibly meaningful.

Q: What has ARN provided you as a member?

ARN has given me such a valuable network, especially as a younger nurse in the rehab specialty. Going to the in-person conferences has been one of the best parts. I've met nurses who have been in rehab for 15, 20, even 30 years, and being able to learn from their experience has been incredible. It's really helpful to bounce ideas around, hear what other rehab hospitals are doing, and see different approaches to similar challenges.

I also used a lot of ARN's test prep when I was studying for the CRRN exam, and it helped me more than I expected. I always tell our new grads and newer nurses that ARN is a great resource, and the membership is very affordable for what you get.

Honestly, ARN gives back what you put into it. The more you get involved and connect with other members, the more you grow, both personally and professionally.

Q: What has ARN provided you as a member? 

This past year really opened my eyes to everything ARN offers. Winning this award pushed me to explore more of the resources and tools that I honestly hadn't taken full advantage of before. Knowing what's available now has been exciting.

But my favorite part has definitely been the conferences. You always come back energized and inspired. You hear about projects other rehab programs are working on, and it sparks ideas for your own unit, especially when you realize you're all facing similar challenges. It makes you think, "How can we adapt that for our patients?" or "What could we build from this?"

Every year, I leave wanting to do better for our program and our patients, and that's a really rewarding feeling. 

A Meaningful Impact on Rehabilitation Nursing 

​Corinne's dedication, clinical skill, and patient-centered approach make her an exceptional leader and a powerful example of what rehabilitation nursing represents. Her contributions at Carolinas Rehabilitation–Charlotte continue to strengthen the quality of care for spinal cord injury patients and support the professional growth of her colleagues.

Congratulations, Corinne, on being selected as the 2025 Direct Patient Care Award winner!