Incoming Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) Board of Directors President, Maureen Musto, MS RN APRN-CNS ACNS-BC CRRN FARN, addresses ARN membership after the unexpected passing of the ARN Board of Directors President, Mary Ellen Hatch, MSN RN CRRN FARN.
Dear ARN Membership,
It is with a heavy heart that I address you on behalf of the news of the passing of our esteemed President, Mary Ellen Hatch. She was not only a visionary leader but also a cherished colleague and friend, and her loss is deeply felt by us all.
In the wake of this sad and unprecedented moment, I find myself stepping into the role of president with a mix of humility and determination. Mary Ellen and I have worked together closely on the ARN Board of Directors since 2019. During this time, I got to know her, her humor, charm, and southern wit which made every call and interaction enjoyable. I also got to know her business savvy and professional side, which made her a leader.
During my initial conversation with Mary Ellen on the ARN board during my first year, she glanced at me and said, "We are a lot alike; we are both clinical." At that moment, I didn't fully grasp what she meant. She held an administrative role in a large for-profit organization (Encompass Health), while I held a clinical role in a single rehabilitation hospital within an academic medical center (The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, Dodd Rehabilitation Hospital).
I now understand that she meant our shared passion is providing rehabilitation care at the bedside and supporting the dedicated rehab nurses delivering that direct care.
Engaging with ARN members nationwide who collaborated with Mary Ellen on board duties or committees, I discovered her commitment to meeting and collaborating on diverse projects that were always aimed at promoting rehabilitation care.
Mary Ellen has left behind a legacy marked by her unwavering commitment to not just ARN's mission, but her efforts within her large community of Encompass Health. Her tireless efforts to push the rehabilitation nursing community forward from the pandemic have helped grow this organization and inspired many of our hospitals and rehab units to drive forward and overcome obstacles.
Though I am still in disbelief of her untimely passing, I am truly honored to follow in her footsteps, and I am committed to upholding the standards of excellence that she set for our organization during her short presidency and her time on the board of directors.
Because we are a rehabilitation community, I hope that within the upcoming days and weeks, we can continue a seamless transition and continue our strategic plan and goals with the solid foundation that Mary Ellen provided for us. You can find Mary Ellen's rehab journey story here.
Let us move forward together, inspired by the legacy of Mary Ellen Hatch.
Sincerely,
Maureen Musto, MS RN APRN-CNS ACNS-BC CRRN FARN
ARN Board of Directors President, 2023-2025
Clinical Nurse Specialist, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Dodd Rehabilitation Hospital