2004 Press Releases
new physiatrist joins rome memorial hospital ROME --Acute Rehabilitation Nurse Diana Brass, RN, MS, recently received her certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN), announced Acute Rehabilitation Department Director Mary Lou Kunkel, RN, CRRN. “This certification is considered the ‘gold standard’ of acute rehabilitative nursing,” said Kunkel. “It indicates that Diana and our Acute Rehabilitation Department provides nursing care with a high level of expertise. Diana has made a commitment to a higher standard to the specialty of rehabilitative nursing.” Kunkel, Acute Rehab Nurse Manager Jeanne Stevens, RN, and Brass are all CRRN’s. Brass joined the hospital in January 1999 and holds a master’s degree in holistic nursing from the College of New Rochelle, an associate’s degree in nursing from Mohawk Valley Community College and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from SUNY IT. Brass said she pursued her CRRN because she wants to give her patients excellent service and because “I’m into continuing education. In the medical field, things are changing all the time. It’s evolving at such a pace that you need to keep up with it.” “Diana is ambitious about whatever she undertakes,” said Stevens. She seeks out information and furthers her education on her own.” Kunkel concurs. “She always strives to be the best at what she does and she does it on her own initiative. She leaves no stone unturned.” Brass considered a career in nursing at an early age. “I always had it in the back of my mind to become a nurse since I was a little girl,” she said. “I’ve always been a caregiver sort of person.” She chose acute rehabilitation nursing because “it’s an area where you can see progress with your patients. There is definitely a need in this field for nurses.” 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 toward patient care, said Brass, to meeting patients’ medical, vocational, educational, environmental and spiritual needs. Brass said her future goals include continuing to evolve as a team member, to encourage other team members to continue with their education and to give the best possible care to her patients. With the attributes of empathy, care, ambitiousness and enthusiasm that Brass displays, her goals will most certainly be met. Accredited by the Commission for the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, Rome Memorial Hospital’s 14-bed rehabilitation unit helps patients regain the greatest level of functional independence possible through physical, occupational and speech therapy. The individualized treatment plans combine comprehensive therapy with emotional support to help patients reach their goals after a debilitating injury or illness, such as a stroke. | 