Grace Campbell, PhD MSW RN CRRN FARN, begins her term as ARN Board President with a heartfelt letter to members, reflecting on the vital role of community in rehabilitation nursing and calling on us all to lead with compassion, inclusion, and connection.
Reflections on Our Profession and the World Around Us
As I begin my term as President of the ARN Board of Directors, I've found myself reflecting not only on our profession but also on the world in which we practice. What stands out to me most is the enduring importance of community. Not only within our organization or within rehabilitation nursing, but in the broader sense of what it means to be connected as people living and working together in an increasingly complex world.
A Personal Journey with ARN
For more than 25 years, I have been proud to be a part of the ARN community. I've seen firsthand how this network of rehabilitation nurses has become a space where knowledge is shared, where colleagues become friends, and where our shared values fuel the work we do every day. This community has inspired me, sustained me, and challenged me to grow as a nurse, a researcher, and a leader.
The Broader Impact of Our Work
But our work and our community extend far beyond the walls of any hospital or the bounds of any professional organization. We care for people who are often facing some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Many of our patients are from under-resourced and historically marginalized communities. They may be dealing not only with the physical and emotional effects of illness or injury, but also with barriers to care, economic hardship, systemic inequities, and a lack of access to ongoing support. In these moments, our role as rehabilitation nurses becomes even more vital.
The Heart of Rehabilitation Nursing
We are problem solvers. We are advocates. We are listeners. We help people reimagine what is possible for their lives. We walk beside them, helping them regain function, find independence, and restore dignity, often in the face of great adversity. That is the heart of rehabilitation nursing.
Finding Strength in Community
It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the state of the world today. Inequity, injustice, political division, and burnout weigh heavily on all of us. But I believe that our shared commitment to community is the antidote. It is in the small, everyday moments of compassion, collaboration, and understanding that we find strength. That strength multiplies when we come together.
A Call to Action for Inclusion and Compassion
As your President, I want us to lean into that strength. Let us continue building a culture within ARN that is inclusive, curious, and compassionate. Let us seek out voices that have been underrepresented in our profession. Let us share our knowledge, celebrate our differences, and unite around our common mission to advance rehabilitation nursing and improve outcomes for those we serve.
Community as a Catalyst for Change
Importantly, let us remember that community is not just a place of comfort. It is a catalyst for change. When we support one another, we expand what is possible. When we listen deeply and act intentionally, we become agents of healing not just in our clinical work but in society as a whole.
Moving Forward Together
Together, we can model what it means to care. Not just clinically, but communally. We can bring light into dark spaces. We can be the connection that carries someone from uncertainty to empowerment.
With Gratitude and Determination
Thank you for being part of this extraordinary profession. Thank you for the work you do every day, and for the care and commitment you bring to our community. I am honored to serve you and to walk beside you in this important journey.
With deep gratitude and determination,
Grace Campbell, PhD MSW RN FARN CRRN
Board of Directors President 2025-2026, Association of Rehabilitation Nurses
About Dr. Grace Campbell
Dr. Grace Campbell, PhD MSW RN CRRN FARN, has been a dedicated leader on ARN's Board of Directors since 2018, serving as Secretary-Treasurer for three years before stepping into the role of President-Elect this past year. She is a nationally recognized clinician, scientist, and leader in rehabilitation nursing and cancer survivorship. Grace's work focuses on improving function and quality of life for cancer survivors and their caregivers.
Through the prestigious Betty Irene Moore Fellowship, she has led a national team to develop a tailored pre-treatment rehab intervention in gynecologic oncology. She's also a Co-Investigator on an NIH-funded study to design assistive devices for individuals with disabilities and leads a systemwide project to implement SmartRehab, improving access to cancer-related disability care. Her expertise has been recognized by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, and she's a proud ARN Fellow and past President's Award recipient.
She has taught in the BSN, MSN, and PhD programs at the University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University and is an active volunteer and advocate through several national organizations.