Hello everyone,
We are excited to welcome you to the Ontario Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (OARN) Interest Group!
As we work on revitalizing the group, we want to shape its direction based on your interests and needs. Our goal is to create a supportive and engaging space for rehabilitation nurses across Ontario to connect, collaborate, and learn from one another—whether you’re working in hospitals, communities, or other rehabilitation settings.
A Few Words from Our President and Membership Executive:
OARN President
My name is Maria Isorena, and I currently work as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in an acute care hospital specifically supporting a rehabilitation unit. With over 20 years of nursing experience - 15 years spent in the Emergency Department and Community and 8 years in Nursing Education Role —it has provided me the desire for collaborative care, advocacy and professional development and the commitment to advance the field of rehabilitation nursing through evidence-based practices, education, and creating a supportive network for nurses across Ontario. I look forward to collaborate with all of you.
Member Executive Network Officer
My name is Krista Gawne. I work as a Nurse Case Manager, supporting individuals with acquired brain injuries. I’ve been nursing for just over 20 years, spending the first 17 years in the Emergency Department and PACU before venturing into community-based work. I’m excited to help get this group going again and create a space where rehab nurses can connect, share ideas and support one another.
Help Us Shape the Future:
To better understand your needs and interests, we’ve created a brief survey that should only take a minute to complete. Your feedback will help us:
- Identify where our members are working
- Understand what you hope to gain from being part of this group
- Learn about topics or activities you’re interested in
- Gauge interest in joining the executive team or supporting the group in other ways
We are also actively looking to expand the executive team, so if you're interested in getting involved—whether in a small or larger role—please indicate your interest in the survey.
Serving as an Executive Network Officer offers unique opportunities to deepen your expertise in the field of rehabilitation nursing. You’ll gain valuable insights into the latest research, emerging practices, and policies that are impacting rehab care across Ontario. It’s a chance to not only grow professionally but also contribute to advancing rehab nursing standards on a larger scale. We would love to have you join us!
Whether you’re a long-time member or new to the group, we are so glad to have you with us. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts, and please stay tuned for more updates soon.
Warm regards,
Maria and Krista