Newswise — Chicago, IL (October 28, 2015): The Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) has awarded Susan Wirt, CCM, CLCP, CNLCP, CRP, MSN, RN, CRRN, the 2015 Distinguished Service Award, the single most prestigious award that is given by ARN. It recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to rehabilitation nursing and to ARN—and it is not necessarily presented every year.
Wirt is a past-president of the ARN board and has been an active member of ARN for more than 25 years. She is recognized by her peers for her leadership efforts in ARN; her role in raising the visibility of professional rehabilitation nursing both nationally and internationally; and her continuing efforts to welcome more nurses into ARN and mentorship of future leaders. Wirt was awarded ARN’s prestigious Case Manager of the Year Award for 2009/2010 and recognized for advancement of the case manager’s role within the rehabilitation field. Wirt also received well-deserved recognition in her home state as one of the “Most Influential Women in Virginia”.
Wirt exemplifies a positive image of rehabilitation nursing by advocating for individuals with disabilities and chronic illness. She supports and disseminates the concept of rehabilitation nursing as a philosophy of care that goes beyond the inpatient rehabilitation setting.
For 21 years, Wirt has been principal in the primary case manager/life care planner company, Wirt & Associates, LLC. Wirt is a board Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse, Certified Rehabilitation Provider, (CRP), Certified Case Manager (CCM), Certified Life Care Planner (CLCP), Certified Nurse Life Care Planner (CNLCP) . She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from West Haven University, Daisy M. Granahan School of Nursing, Cypress, CA, a Master’s of Science in Nursing/Clinical Education from Jefferson College of Health Sciences, Roanoke, VA, and an Association of Applied Science in Nursing from Virginia Western Community College in Roanoke, VA.
Representing more than 5,700 members, the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) exists to promote and advance professional rehabilitation nursing practice through education, advocacy, collaboration, and research to enhance the quality of life for those affected by chronic illness or physical disability. Rehabilitation nurses help individuals affected by chronic illness or physical disability to adapt to their disabilities, achieve their greatest potential, and work toward productive, independent lives. They take a holistic approach to meeting patients’ medical, vocational, educational, environmental, and spiritual needs.
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