Recipients of 2014 ARN Role Awards announced

The Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) announced the recipients of the 2014 ARN Role Awards at its 40th Annual Educational Conference, held October 29 - November 1 in Anaheim, CA. ARN Role Awards are given for outstanding contributions in various aspects of rehabilitation nursing.

Margaret Riccardi, MS BA GNP-BC CRRN
Advanced Practice Nurse Award
The Advanced Practice Nurse Award recognizes a nurse in an advanced role who has contributed to the advancement of rehabilitation nursing.

Margaret Riccardi is the Community Health Nurse Coordinator at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center in West Palm Beach, FL and has been an ARN member for 40 years. "My ultimate goal and purpose in becoming a nurse is to increase and maintain a person's optimal level of functioning both mentally and physically and, subsequently, to decrease their years of morbidity. Choosing rehabilitation nursing at the beginning of my career, becoming a charter member of ARN, becoming certified as a rehabilitation nurse and maintaining my Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) certification, and continuing with rehabilitation principles have allowed me to achieve that goal," says Riccardi in her manuscript, A Wonderful Journey in Rehabilitation Nursing. Riccardi earned her MS degree from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL and has held her CRRN designation for 30 years.

Mary Ann Laslo, BSN CRRN
Case Manager Award
The Case Manager Award recognizes a nurse who has actively engaged in the advancement of the case manager's role within the rehabilitation field.

Mary Ann Laslo is the Rehabilitation Case Manager at Kaiser Foundation Rehabilitation Center in Petaluma, CA. "Mary Ann demonstrates the highest degree of professionalism in her behaviors, her sharing of knowledge and her presentation. She is actively involved in ARN locally and on the Board and presented at the national conference and is now on a national committee. She is so proud to be a rehabilitation nurse and upholds the image and value of rehabilitation nursing within the team," says Michelle Camicia, MSN CRRN, in her nomination of Laslo for the award. Laslo earned her BSN from Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, FL and has held her CRRN designation for 17 years.

Lisa Pervin, PhD RN CRRN
Educator Award
The Educator Award recognizes a nurse who has contributed to the advancement of rehabilitation nursing care in an academic or educational role.

Lisa Pervin is the Regional Director of Clinical Services and Operations at Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond, VA and has been an ARN member for 23 years. "Dr. Pervin has provided the Milestone Clinical Services team with leadership and direction that has improved the clinical support and rehabilitation philosophy for the facilities we provide management and consulting services in the post-acute service line. She is consistently willing to share her knowledge in an educational and collaborative manner. Dr. Pervin personifies what a true educator is and provides to rehabilitation," says Rose Brungardt, RN MS MN CRRN, in her nomination of Pervin for the award. Pervin earned her PhD from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, OH and has held her CRRN designation for 30 years.

Susan Castor, MSN CRRN NE-BC
Nurse Executive Award
The Nurse Executive Award recognizes a rehabilitation nurse who has contributed to the advancement of rehabilitation nursing care in a high-level administrative role.

Susan Castor is the Chief Nursing Officer at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Toms River in Toms River, NJ. "Ms. Castor demonstrates exceptional leadership, guidance and service to the institution, and to the profession of nursing. An expert motivator, she has mentored and trained many managers at the facility; all have been inspired by her leadership. She is open-minded, people-centered and results-oriented, characteristics that have enabled her to effectively lead by example," says Margie Kraemer, RN CRRN, in her nomination of Castor for the award. Castor earned her MSN from Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ.

Elaine Mustacchio, RN MSN CRRN
Nurse Manager Award
The Nurse Manager Award recognizes a rehabilitation nurse who has contributed to the advancement of rehabilitation nursing care in a middle management position.

Elaine Mustacchio is the Nurse Manager at Children's Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ and has been an active ARN member for over 20 years. "A leadership assessment indicated that Elaine's strengths are characterized by the following words: learner, achieve, responsible, intellection and developer. Her leadership isn't focused on herself, but rather, the rehabilitation needs of special children and their families as they strive to go home," says Bonnie Altieri, PhD RN NEA-BC, in her nomination of Mustacchio for the award. Mustacchio earned her MSN from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA and has held her CRRN designation for approximately 20 years.

Yodeline Cayton Milliken, RN CRRN
Staff Nurse Award
The Staff Nurse Role Award recognizes outstanding practice by a rehabilitation nurse in a direct patient care role.

Yodeline Milliken is the Clinical Staff Nurse of Rehabilitation at St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton, CA. "As a CRRN, Yodeline prides herself in providing excellent rehab care to her patients and is a role model for her co-workers. She encourages, promotes, supports and motivates other staff to obtain their CRRN designation and always maintains a positive attitude," says Dale Wong, BSN RN CRRN, in her nomination of Milliken for the award. Milliken earned her BSN from the Angeles University Foundation in the Philippines.