ARN Congratulates the 2021 Member Award Winners

ARN is excited to announce the 2021 ARN Member Award Winners!  The winners were announced at ARN's 2021 Rehabilitation Nursing Conference. 

Direct Patient Care Award: Josef Mendez Lopez, BSN RN CRRN 

This award recognizes outstanding practice by a rehabilitation nurse in a direct patient care role. Congratulations to Josef Mendez Lopez, BSN RN CRRN, on winning this award! Josef is the SCI/D Telehealth Coordinator at James A Haley Veteran's Hospital in Tampa, Florida. Mr. Lopez's supervisor wrote "Mr. Josef Mendez Lopez has been in his current position as the SCI Telehealth Coordinator for about 15 months. In that time, he has distinguished himself as a positive, motivated, and affable program manager, coach, cheerleader, and nurse. Every mission he has been given he has completed and exceeded all expectations."

Leadership Award: Regina Keller, MSN RN CRRN 

​The Leadership Award recognizes a rehabilitation nurse who has demonstrated superior leadership skills when faced with a specific challenge within their unit, facility, hospital, organization, or system. The 2021 ARN Leadership Award winner is Regina Keller, MSN RN CRRN. Regina is the Program Director/Nurse Manager at Southern Ohio Medical Center in Portsmouth, OH. Through her efforts, Regina has advanced rehabilitation nursing practice and made positive changes that benefit patients, rehabilitation nurses, and allied professions.

Nurse Educator Award: Andrew Lutz, BSN RN CRRN CBIS 

The Nurse Educator Award recognizes a nurse who has contributed to the advancement of rehabilitation nursing care through an academic or educational role. This year's winner is Andrea Lutz, BSN RN CRRN CBIS. Andrea is a Clinical Nurse Educator and Clinical Nurse III at WellSpan Surgery and Rehabilitation Hospital in York, PA. Andrea demonstrates leadership ability and effectiveness in the educational development and mentoring of rehabilitation nurses and supports the advancement of rehabilitation nurses.

Patient Advocacy Award: Kathleen Warehime, BSN RN CRRN CBIS 

​The Patient Advocacy Award recognizes a rehabilitation nurse who has demonstrated leadership and collaboration while advocating for outstanding patient care. The 2021 ARN Patient Advocacy Award winner is Kathleen Warehime, BSN RN CRRN CBIS. Kathleen is the Clinical Nurse Educator and House Supervisor at WellSpan Surgery and Rehabilitation Hospital in York, PA. Kathy's nominator notes "All of the outcomes of her work cannot be fully described, as the implications are far beyond data and more into the lived experiences of the patients and families that she touches on a daily basis."