Congratulations to the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) member award winners. Several awards were presented at ARN's 2023 Rehabilitation Nursing Conference last August in Providence, Rhode Island, including the President's Award.

2023 President's Award 

The ARN President's Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of rehabilitation nursing and to ARN. The 2023 award was presented by ARN Past President, Maria Radwanski, MSN RN CRRN FARN to Tina Roma Fisher, RN MSN CRRN FARN for her leadership, service, ability to navigate and direct the ARN mission, and ability to advocate for ARN and those we serve.

What does this honor mean to you? 

I am grateful, surprised, and truly honored. Knowing that past President's Award recipients, have often been presented to past ARN presidents, researchers, and advocates for our specialty of Rehab Nursing, I was truly surprised. I am humbled and honored to be among this group.

What does ARN provide you with as a member? 

My ARN membership has helped me gain knowledge, connections, and friendships over the years. I love to think of all the wonderful people I have met and the places I have been with Rehab Nursing. I love that I can connect with my colleagues near and far and realize we are not alone and often are in similar situations…Like minds, kindred spirits

What has been your favorite part of being an ARN member over the years? 

One of the first committees I was involved with was the Chapter Support Committee. I was able to meet new people and it was fun making connections with the chapters and learning about activities and programs at the local level. My time working with the Budget and Finance Committee made me realize that we must be good stewards of our resources and the Health Policy Committee made me realize we need to be a voice for Rehab Nursing and that grassroots efforts by rehab nurses make a difference. I am currently on the Conference Committee and enjoy being able to help plan a great conference that will expand our knowledge as well as networking and making great connections.

I am so proud to be a rehab nurse CRRN-FARN, President's Award recipient! THANK YOU.

About Tina Roma Fisher, RN MSN CRRN FARN, Caritas Coach 

Tina is the Director, Clinical Services at the Lehigh Valley Health Network Inpatient Rehabilitation Center-Muhlenberg. She is a Fellow of ARN a CRRN and currently serves ARN on the ARN Health Policy Committee and has served as the co-chair of the ARN Conference Planning Committee and as a Director on the Board of Directors. In addition, Tina has actively led numerous ARN Committees including the Products and Programs, Governance Task Force, the Continuing Education Provider Unit, Strategic Planning Summit, the Budget and Finance Committee, Chapter Support, and ARN Awards Committee.