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Southeast Texas
Chapter ARN
POB #300121
Houston, TX 77230
To: Glennys Asselin, MSN/ED, RN, CRRN
Chartered 1978
ARN
National
Website
Contact Us:
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www.arnsoutheasttx.org

ARN's mission is to promote and advance professional rehabilitation
nursing practice through education,
advocacy, collaboration, and
research to enhance the quality of life for those afflicted by
disability and
chronic illness.
Southeast Texas Chapter ARN holds monthly educational sessions, usually
on the fourth Tuesday of the
month, from 5:00-7:30 PM. Programs
with approved contact hours, dinner, and networking are offered.
We visit and tour rehabilitation facilities throughout the greater
Houston area.
Our primary purpose is to promote professional growth and excellence in
rehabilitation nursing through knowledge, education and
networking.

Announcements:
The Southeast Texas Chapter
ARN mailing address is going to be changing in December 2011, please
make sure that you update your files. We will keep you posted.
Southeast Texas ARN
POB # 300121
Houston, Texas 77230

Winners of the 2008 Local Chapter of the Year
Award!!!
We Won!! Southeast Texas Chapter ARN was once again recognized nationally
with the 2008 Local Chapter of the Year Award at the ARN Annual
Educational Conference in San Francisco, CA, October 1-4, 2008.
This newly created award will be given each year to recognize a local
chapter that meet the following criteria: • Provided an extraordinary educational event above and beyond the
requirements designated by ARN. The educational event must reflect
principles of the current trends in rehabilitation nursing. • Has excelled in regularly communicating with its members. • Has exceptional membership recruitment and retention methods. • Has made a significant contribution to the community in the last year.
Thanks to all who make this an outstanding
Chapter!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS
Ann Gutierrez, MSN, RN, CRRN for receiving
the 2010 Nurse of the Year Award in the Nurse Educator Role at the ARN
Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida. We are proud of your
accomplishments and all you do for the SETX Chapter of ARN!!!
It is an honor for us all to be working with you in this great chapter


A
grateful THANK YOU to our 2011 Expo Sponsors & Exhibitors:
| Gold Sponsors: |
BARD Medical
Memorial Hermann Home Health
Guldmann |
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| Silver Sponsor: |
TIRR/Memorial Hermann |
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| Bronze Sponsors: |
Adaptive Driving Access Inc.
TRIUMPH Hospital
Muilenburg Prosthetics & Orthotics
Memorial Hermann Rehab Hospital, Katy |
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| Exhibitors: |
Brawner Paper Company
Transitional Learning Center – Galveston
Universal Hospital Services
HealthPoint Biotherapeutics
KCI Therapeutic Support Systems
Cameo Caregivers |
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And to our....
2012 Monthly meeting hosts |
| January: |
The Methodist
Hospital—Medical Center |
| February: |
Kindred
Hospital—Midtown |
| March: |
SizeWise Rentals |
| April: |
TIRR/Memorial Hermann |
| May: |
TouchstoneNeurorecovery Center & Nexus Specialty Hospital |
| June: |
SETX Expo
and Scholarship Fundraiser |
| July: |
St. Luke’s Episcopal
Hospital |
| August: |
Michael E. DeBakey Med
VAMC |
| September: |
Memorial Hermann
Northwest |
| October: |
HealthSouth
Rehabilitation Hospital |
| November: |
Holiday Gala & Awards
Banquet |
We sincerely appreciate your
support!
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THANK YOU
TIRR/Memorial
Hermann |
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For Our
April Meeting |
Monthly Meeting Flyers:
Beginning in March 2009, SE Texas
Chapter ARN will send out monthly meeting flyers by email only.
Meetings will also continue to be posted on this website. Members,
if we do not have a current email address for you, please send your
current email address to Betty Clark at
info@arnsoutheasttx.org
May 2012 Educational Meeting:
The May educational meeting will be
held Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at Landry’s Seafood House, 1212
Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77380. Time: 5:00 – 7:30 PM.
Sponsored by: Nexus Touchstone. Program: “Post Acute Brain Injury
Rehab: Picking Up Where Others Leave Off”.
Click here for further
details.
June Expo & Fundraiser 2012:
SAVE THE DATE!! The June Expo and Fundraiser will be held
Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital, South Tower Classrooms, 1635 North Loop West, Houston, Texas 77008. Time: 4:30 -8:30 PM. Sponsored by:
Memorial Hermann NW Hospital Program: The Spiritual and Emotional
Wellness in The Spinal Cord Patients During Their Inpatient
Rehabilitation Process.
Click here for further
details.
July 2012 Educational Meeting:
The July educational meeting will be
held Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital,
6720 Bertner, Houston, Texas 77030. Time: 5:00 – 7:30 PM. Sponsor:
TBA Program: TBA Click here
for further details.
August 2012 Educational Meeting:
The August educational meeting will
be held on Tuesday August 21, 2012 at the Michael E. DeBakey
VAMC Hospital in the medical center at 2002 Holcombe Blvd, Houston,
Texas 77030. Time 5:00 - 7:30 PM. Sponsor: National Rehab Equipment,
Inc. Program: "Wound Care Challenges: Special Needs for Special
Populations" Click here for further details.
Click here
for further details.
September 2012 Educational Meeting:
The September educational meeting
will be held on Tuesday September 25, 2012 at the Memorial
Hermann NW Hospital located at 1635 North Loop West Houston, Texas
77008. Time: 5:00 – 7:30 PM. Sponsor: TBA Program: TBA
Click here
for further details.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS & SAVE THE DATE!!
Rehabilitation Nursing Review Workshop:
The SETX Chapter of ARN will again
have the Review Workshop available next year again in August for
nurses to prepare for the Certification in Rehabilitation. The date
and location will be announced in the beginning of 2012 so keep your
eyes open for information as it becomes available. Please encourage your staff to consider
participating in this review course to help prepare rehabilitation
nurses for the National
Exam. This would be a great
opportunity to begin studying and reviewing for the exams.
Registration forms are always available at our monthly educational
meetings.
Scholarship Awards:
Scholarships will be considered for
rehabilitation nursing related education such as formal course work,
continuing education programs and conferences, National ARN
Educational Conference, and the SETX Chapter Rehabilitation Nursing
Review Workshop. Start planning ahead for a scholarship award for
2012!!! There are going to be 7 awarded in 2012. Three will
be awarded in the following categories for the 2012 National Conference
in Nashville, Tennessee: Perfect attendance at monthly educational
meetings, Committee Chairperson, and Paper/Poster presentation.
Seven will be awarded for scholarships to Chapter members who apply.
The Scholarships will be for $750.00 each. Please consider applying
for a scholarship in 2012.
Scholarship Winners from June
Expo 2011: 8 scholarships were awarded
National Conference
Kuldip Amolenda
Linda Arfele
Chi Eziakonwa
Kerry Davis
Mary Hairston
Lois Stephens-Newman
Ann Gutierrez
Review Workshop and CRRN Exam
Eleanor Ayangco
ARN National Conference Scholarships:
Three scholarship drawings to help
towards attendance at the November ARN National Education Conference
were drawn at the August educational meeting of 2011. Chapter members who meet requirements in the
following three categories were awarded to the following Chapter
Members:
• Perfect Meeting Attendance: attend 100% of Chapter meetings
January through August, 2011
Recipient: Cindy Gebhard • Committee Chairperson: All active committee chairpersons
Recipient: Betty Clark • Paper or Poster Presenter: All who will be presenting a
paper or poster at the ARN National Conference
Recipient: Becky Thayer
Rehabilitation Nurse of the Year Award:
Members are encouraged to nominate
colleagues who are members of the SETX Chapter of ARN for this
annual award. Forms to nominate a member are handed out at each of
our monthly meetings or available on the website:
Click here for
nomination form. Contact Julius Penning @
info@arnsoutheasttx.org
for further information.
Deadline for nominating a member for this prestigious award is
August 31, 2011.
***2010 Rehabilitation Nurse of the Year***

***CONGRATULATIONS CELESTE
MCLAUGHLIN, MS, RN, CNS, CRRN***
We are proud of your contributions
to rehabilitation and your dedication to the pursuit of excellence
in Rehabilitation Nursing Practice.
New CRRNs:
Congratulations to our newest CRRNs!!!
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Sherry Grimes, BSN, RN, CRRN
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Deanna Bennett RN, CRRN
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A.J. Campbell RN, CRRN
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Mary Ann Euliarte RN, CRRN
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Carolyn Machie RN, CRRN
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Lucy Osemwegie RN, CRRN
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Ruth Pardon RN, CRRN |
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Annette Rayby RN, CRRN
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Easter Del Castillo RN, CRRN
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Laurelle Onweike RN, CRRN
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We are proud of your
achievements.
CRRN EXAM: New Registration
Deadlines
Due to a change in testing
companies, the registration process and deadlines for the CRRN exam
have changed. Candidate applications and fees must be mailed in to
CASTLE WORLDWIDE, INC. by the following deadlines:
April 15, 2012 for June 1-30, 2012 CRRN Exam dates
October 15, 2012
for December 1-31, 2012 CRRN Exam dates
Late fee options
are now available; contact ARN National.
A new content
outline became effective for the June 2007 examination. This is posted
at www.rehabnurse.org.
The exam
now has only 175 questions (25 pretest: un-scored), and
candidates will have up to 3 hours to complete the exam.
Candidate handbooks and application forms are available from ARN National (1-800-229-7530). Registration forms may also be downloaded from the ARN National website(www.rehabnurse.org ).
Get Involved!!
SE Texas Chapter is very active,
with thirteen committees working
throughout the year. Committee members are needed!! Get involved –
it’s a great way to meet colleagues, share ideas, learn, and… have
fun! Contact Julius H. Penning or Glennys Asselin at
info@arnsoutheasttx.org for more information or to sign-up.
Committee sign-up sheets will be available at our Monthly
Educational meetings to sign up and become more active in our
Chapter’s activities.
Membership Participation Incentive:
Back for 2012
Those SE Texas Chapter ARN members
who actively serve on:
1) the Board of Directors
2) Chair a committee
3) actively serve on a committee OR
4) attend a Chapter meeting 8 out of 10 months in 2012
will be awarded a free ticket to the 2012 Holiday Gala & Awards
Banquet in November. Thank you for your active participation!
We were able to provide 22 Chapter
members with complimentary 2012 Holiday Gala tickets!!
Update Your Contact Information:
Please help us keep our membership
roster current! Update your address, phone, e-mail, and other contact
information at
www.rehabnurse.org in the Members only section. Please notify
Mary Joe White at info@arnsoutheasttx.org
also, so that the Chapter records are current.
On-line Membership Directory:
Did you know that you are able to
obtain other members’ contact information through the on-line
Membership Directory at
www.rehabnurse.org in the Members only section? A listing of
all SE Texas Chapter members is also available, using the search by
Chapter section
Community Activity Report:
Are you involved in a rehabilitation related community activity? Be sure to report your volunteer service to SETX Chapter ARN!! One of the Chapter goals for 2008-2009,2009-2010,
2010-2011 and again for 2011-2012 is to increase our involvement in rehabilitation related community activities, and this will help toward our application for the Chapter of the Year award
for the National Conference in Tennessee 2012.
Examples of activities include health fairs, SIRES therapeutic riding, Parish nursing activities, and events such as the MS 150 bicycle ride.
Click here to download the form to complete, and turn in at the next Chapter meeting.
It is important for our Chapter to document the hours of related
community activity our members are giving to advance rehabilitation
in our communities throughout the Houston and surrounding areas. Activities from July 2010 and after are eligible.
Community Action – SILENT AUCTION:
Beginning in 2004 & 2005 the Chapter
supported two worthy causes in the community: T.H. Rodgers School and
Camp Xtreme. T.H. Rodgers is an HISD school that educates many
children with disabilities, and Camp Xtreme is a summer camp devoted
to children who use wheelchairs. In 2006, the Chapter contributed to
the “Be an Angel Fund” for playground equipment for children with
disabilities and Camp Xtreme. In 2007 and 2008, the Chapter
contributed to the SIRES Therapeutic Riding: a therapeutic horse
riding program for individuals with disabilities. In 2009 and 2010,
the Chapter contributed to June Rusche Hamrah Camp for All, a
barrier free camp for children and adults with chronic illness or
disabilities and their families. The Chapter wishes to continue to
assist community agencies for persons with disabilities.
Thanks to the generous support of
Chapter members, the 2011 Silent Auction was once again a tremendous
success!!!
Proceeds from the 2011 Silent Auction will be donated to the Paws
for Patriots. Paws for Patriots is an organization that trains
specially bred dogs from Florida to assist veterans, American
Heroes, with disabilities in the following categories:
Guide Dogs
Pairs highly trained guide dogs with visually impaired veterans.
Veterans live and learn on campus, then receive lifetime follow-up
and support. If you are a blinded veteran interested in learning
more about how you may obtain a guide dog from Southeastern Guide
Dogs.
Veteran Assistance Dogs
Trains and places exceptional dogs not suitable for guide work into
careers benefitting veterans who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder. Gaining confidence from these dogs, veterans expand their
lives, regain mobility and independence and re-integrate into their
communities.
Facility Dogs
Places therapy dogs into military hospitals to spread cheer and
encouragement and help wounded warriors heal from their injuries.
This year we raised more than $1,000.00 dollars to donate to their
great cause in providing assistance to our American Heroes who have
given freely of themselves to protect the freedoms we enjoy in this
Great Country. A grateful “Thank You” to our American Veteran
Heroes.
A grateful
“THANK YOU” to all who donated and participated in the Silent
Auction
2012 Silent Auction!!
November 2012
Site: Any suggestions???
Plan ahead because before we know it the 2011 Gala
and Silent Auction will be on our doorsteps. Start thinking of items
that could be donated to generate funds for our Community
Organizations that focus on rehabilitation for individuals with
disabilities. It is a great way for our Chapter to continue supporting the services available within the Houston and surrounding
communities.
Items to donate!!
• Handmade items: jewelry, crafts, sewing,…
• Gift Cards to favorite local restaurants or stores
• Christmas items for the Holidays
• Collectables: coins, paper weights, dolls,…
• Themed Baskets
• What ever creative ideas are always welcome
Help support our Communities
throughout the Houston area by donating an item(s) to Auction!
Newsletter: "Rehab Round-Up"
Our Newsletter, “Rehab Round-Up” is published twice yearly and sent
out electronically. Glennys Asselin, MSN/ED, RN, CRRN, AA is the
editor. The Spring 2012 edition will be emailed out early March or
April and the fall edition will be emailed out in early October so make sure we have your current email address so you do not
miss an issue. If you
would like a copy, please contact Glennys Asselin at info@arnsoutheasttx.org
Items are needed for the
newsletter – brief articles, promotions, legislative updates,
clinical tips, etc. Submit to Glennys Asselin at
info@arnsoutheasttx.org.
National ARN News:
Please visit the National ARN
website,
www.rehabnurse.org
or refer to your ARN Network newsletter to learn more about :
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ARN –CAT – Competency Assessment Tool
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New RNF Research Agenda
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Locating members or updating your contact information
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CRRN Exam New Content Outline
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Safe Patient Handling Toolkit
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Rehabilitation Nursing online
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New Position Statement on Documentation of Medical Necessity
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New On-line CRRN Practice Exam
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FREE on-line contact hours for members
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Member-Get-A-Member Campaign
Continuing
Education Contact Hours:
ARN National is no longer an approved maintenance provider for CDMSC, CCM or
CRCC continuing education.
However, SETX chapter membership voted to provide CCM continuing
education units
for at least five (5) of the ten (10) annual educational programs.
Please see the calendar
page each month for posting of CCM contact hours. If you have any
questions or
concerns, please contact us at info@arnsoutheasttx.org.
Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan:
To be
administered either by a state or by the Department of Health and
Human Services, will provide a new health coverage option for
Americans who have been uninsured for at least six months, have been
unable to get health coverage because of a health condition, and are
a U.S. citizen or are residing in the U.S. legally. The plan will
continue until 2014 when the new health insurance exchange system
will be established.
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/07/20100701a.html.
Info on how to apply for the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan
is available at
www.HealthCare.gov.
Medicare Annual Update of the
International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical
Modification (ICD-9-CM):
Change request
7006 reminds the Medicare contractors and providers that the annual
ICD-9-CM update will be effective for dates of service on and after
October 1, 2010. New, revised, and discontinued ICD-9-CM diagnosis
codes can be found on the CMS Website or at the National Center for
Health Statistics (NCHS) Website in June of each year.
ANA Launches Web Site to Broaden
Support for Safe Patient Handling Goals
As part of its
long-standing effort to increase awareness about the need to
eliminate manual patient handling by RNs working in healthcare
facilities, the ANA launched a new Web site to promote grassroots
support. Learn more by going to
http://www.anasafepatienthandling.org/
Ref.: “The Nurse and Health Care Worker Protection Act of 2009”
(H>R> 2381), sponsored by Rep. John Conyers, (D-MI).
ARN Health Policy Digest - December 2011:
Welcome to this month's edition of
the ARN Health Policy Digest. This member benefit provides monthly
updates on health policy, legislative, and regulatory developments
that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses.
-Tavenner Gains Early Support
Marilyn Tavenner, the nominee to succeed Dr. Donald Berwick as head
of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, is receiving early
support from healthcare stakeholders. Dr. Berwick announced his
resignation on December 2nd after a tough 18 months on the job. He
was named to the position during a congressional recess and was
never actually confirmed by the Senate. His appointment was set to
expire at the end of the year. Read more about what specific health
organizations are saying about Ms. Tavenner's nomination.
-MedPAC to meet on IRFs
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission held a public meeting
December 15-16, 2011 in Washington, DC. The MedPAC agenda lists
"Assessing Payment Adequacy: Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility
Services" as the discussion topic. A transcript will be posted after
the meeting. View the full agenda.
-Multi-Stakeholder Group Input on Quality Measures
As required by the Affordable Care Act, CMS has released a list of
quality and efficiency measures being considered for 2012. Read
about the CMS process or view the full list of quality and
efficiency measures.
-Nursing Shortage Less Likely than Previously Believed
A recent study showed that between 2002 and 2009 there was a 62%
increase in the number of young registered nurses (ages 23-26). The
researchers thought that the increase was most likely the result of
campaigns to draw people into the field, changes in nursing programs
that accommodated more people, and tough economic times. The authors
warned that although the nursing shortage is less likely, that
doesn't mean that the demand for nurses couldn't still skyrocket,
especially with an aging population and less primary care
physicians. Read the full article.
-Demystifying the Mechanics of Bundled Payments
The Advisory Board Company has recently released a document to help
those with questions regarding how bundled payments in CMS' Care
Improvement Initiative really work. The document covers frequently
asked questions such as "What exactly would we be discounting if we
participate in the bundled payment initiative?" and "How would the
retrospective bundling process used for Models 2 and 3 impact
gainsharing?" Read the answers.
-FY2011 IRF PPS PC Pricer Updated
CMS has updated the FY2011 Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRF)
Prospective Payment System (PPS). Download the PC pricers.
-Allied Health Workforce and Services Workshop Summary Available
The Institute of Medicine has made available a summary of the Allied
Health Workforce and Services Workshop that was held in May of 2011.
The goal of the workshop was to determine what allied health is,
what workforce strategies could improve access to select allied
health services, and how policy makers and allied health providers
can improve the regulations and structure. Download the summary
here.
-Nurses Ranked Most Trusted Again
For the 12th year in a row nurses have been ranked the most
trustworthy profession by Gallup's annual poll. When asked, 84% of
respondents classified the honesty and ethical standards of nurses
to be "high" or "very high." Read more about how trustworthy nurses
are or view the full report of the Gallup poll.
-Top 10 Nursing Articles of 2011
Health Leaders Media has put together a list of the top 10 nursing
articles they wrote this year. The list ranges from "5 Ways to
Reduce Nursing Turnover in Year One" to "Nurse Staffing Costs Must
Be Weighed Against Cost of Errors." See the whole list.
-Comments Needed on Multiple Chronic Conditions
The National Quality Forum is seeking comments on a draft
measurement framework for assessing the efficiency of care provided
to individuals with multiple chronic conditions. Comments will be
accepted until January 13th. Learn more or submit comments.
-NBA Institutes New Concussion Policy
The NBA has recently put in place a concussion policy that will
require several days if not weeks of clearance before an individual
can return to play after suffering from a concussion. Players and
coaches will receive annual training on the importance of reporting
symptoms and players will undergo baseline training before the start
of preseason games. Read more.
To read more on these topics go to
info@rehabnurse.org and
look for ARN Health Policy Digest - December 2011
Texas Legislation:
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Texas Nursing Voice
Texas Bill to
provide safer workplace environment and additional patient advocacy
protection. SB 476/ HB 591 “Hospital Safe Staffing Act” has a
section on prohibiting mandatory overtime for nurses working in
hospitals for both RN and LVNs. Highlights of the Bill are that a
nurse could not be retaliated against for refusing to work mandatory
overtime, refusal to work mandatory overtime would not constitute
patient abandonment, overtime compensation would not be affected and
would continue to be governed by applicable federal and state wage
and hour laws, and also does provide for exceptions such as natural
disasters and medical emergencies. Sponsors are Sen. Jane Nelson
(R-Flower Mound) and Reps. Donna Howard (D-Austin) and Susan King
(R-Abilene) and supported by the organizational members of the
Nursing Legislative Agenda Coalition and Texas Hospital Association.

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Touchstone Neurorecovery Centers is a
post acute rehabilitation facility nationally known for being on
the leading edge of neurobehavioral rehabilitation.
www.nhsltd.com
9727 Wahrenberger Road, Conroe, TX 77304 (936)788-7770
or Toll Free: 1-800-414-4824 Touchstone
Supports ARN! |

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BARD Medical Division of C.R. Bard, Inc., is a market leader in
urological drainage systems, in addition to providing skin & wound
care products, wound drainage products, and a variety of specialty
tubing products.
www.bardmedical.com
1-800-526-4455
BARD
Supports ARN! |

For further information, questions or suggestions, e-mail us at: info@arnsoutheasttx.org

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