About nursing at Spaulding Rehabilitation
Spaulding Rehabilitation is a global leader in advanced rehabilitation treatment and research. With three inpatient hospitals, a skilled nursing facility, and 25 outpatient therapy centers across Massachusetts, our team delivers innovative solutions to ensure our patients achieve the best possible outcomes.
Rehabilitation nurses are skilled professionals uniquely equipped to care for patients with acute or chronic illnesses and disabilities. They specialize in developing patient-centered interventions, supporting recovery, and facilitating smooth transitions for excellent outcomes and cost-effective care.
At Spaulding Rehabilitation, our rehabilitation nurses empower patients and families through nursing strength and excellence, patient advocacy, and evidence-based rehabilitation. They play a vital role in helping patients regain independence.
As patients face increasingly complex medical conditions, rehabilitation nursing as a profession provides ongoing opportunities for learning and professional growth. Our nurses use their varied nursing skills to manage complicated medical issues and create tailored care plans that help patients heal.
Mission
Spaulding Rehabilitation nurses provide expert, compassionate care by empowering our patients, families and communities through our commitment to strength in nursing and patient advocacy, evidence-based rehabilitation and nursing excellence.
Vision
Spaulding Rehabilitation nurses will be globally recognized leaders through clinical practice, innovation, research, education and advocacy.
Honors
- Magnet Designation: Magnet designation, awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, represents the highest recognition for nursing excellence at health care organizations. Spaulding’s 3 inpatient post-acute care hospitals join a select group nationally to receive Magnet accreditation with Spaulding Boston earning Magnet with Distinction.
- NCPD: Nursing Continuing Professional Development (NCPD) ANCC accreditation recognizes organizations worldwide that demonstrate excellence in Nursing Continuing Professional Development (NCPD) by using evidence‑based criteria to plan, implement, and evaluate high‑quality activities. As a result, healthcare ministries, nursing organizations, employers, and education providers rely on ANCC accreditation to advance nursing practice, improve outcomes, and ensure nurses can access top‑tier education for certification or licensure.
Leadership
Chief Nursing Officer
Judi earned her doctorate degree from Simmons University and her master's and baccalaureate degrees from Graceland University. She is a certified advanced nurse executive and critical care nurse through the American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC). Judi is also certified in Lean Six Sigma as a Black Belt in Healthcare, engaging nursing and interprofessional health care clinicians within strategy and change management to meet the needs of patients, families, employees, and the organization. She serves on the ANCC Commission on Accreditation, Nursing Continuous Professional Development. Judi has served on other boards and committees, including as an award judge for the Johnson & Johnson Nurse Fellowship, the National Nurse Advisory Board of Becton Dickinson, the Organization of Nurse Leaders (MA, RI, NH, VT, CT), the Boston MA, National Association of Hispanic Nurses, and Sigma Theta Tau, Theta at Large (007).
Senior Director of Nursing Quality, Magnet, Research and Innovation
Dr. Abele is the Sr. Director for Nursing Quality, Magnet, Research and Innovation for Spaulding Rehabilitation. She has successfully coordinated Spaulding Cape Cod’s initial Magnet designation journey in 2022, Spaulding Cambridge’s initial Magnet designation journey in 2023 and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Charlestown initial Magnet Designation with Distinction in 2025. Dr. Abele received her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Healthcare Systems Leadership from Chamberlain College of Nursing. She received her MSN from Simmons College and undergraduate degree from Northern Essex Community College. In progressive leadership roles, she has spent much of her career in Nursing Professional Development with a specialty in Critical Care. Dr. Abele has served as faculty for Regis College, Endicott College and as clinical faculty for Salem State University. She is certified as an Advanced Nurse Executive.
Lead Clinical Informatics Specialist for Spaulding Rehabilitation
Adrienne is the Lead Clinical Informatics Specialist at Spaulding Rehabilitation, with over 10 years of experience in nursing informatics. She has also served as clinical adjunct faculty at Salem State University. Adrienne began her career as a bedside nurse at North Shore Medical Center and holds a Master of Business Administration from New England College of New Hampshire and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the MGH Institute of Health Professions.
Senior Director of Professional Development for Spaulding Rehabilitation; Director, Transition to Practice Nurse Residency Program; Director, Nursing Academic Affiliations
Dr. Tamera M. Corsaro is a senior nursing leader with more than 30 years of experience in healthcare administration, clinical operations, and professional development across Spaulding Rehabilitation Network. As Senior Director of Clinical and Professional Development, she leads system-wide educational and leadership initiatives that advance nursing competency, engagement, retention, and clinical excellence through evidence-based and interprofessional learning. A hallmark of her leadership is the development of Spaulding’s Transition to Practice Nurse Residency Program, a post-pandemic innovation that supports the transition from academia to practice through mentorship, competency-based learning, and cohort support, and serves as a cornerstone of workforce sustainability. Dr. Corsaro holds a DNP in Executive Leadership and an MSN (CNS–Acute Care) from the MGH Institute of Health Professions and is a dedicated advocate for lifelong learning and nursing excellence.
Associate Chief Nursing Officer for Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Cape Cod
Martha Rafferty, DNP, MSN, RN, is the Associate Chief Nursing Officer for Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Boston and Cape Cod. In this role, Martha oversees inpatient nursing practice at the acute rehabilitation hospitals, collaborating closely with leaders across the Spaulding network to cultivate a culture of excellence and innovation. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Rivier University, reflecting her commitment to advanced clinical expertise and evidence-based care. Throughout her career, Martha has gained extensive leadership experience across acute care settings and has skillfully bridged the continuum into inpatient rehabilitation, consistently supporting patients and staff through care transitions. Driven by a passion for continuous quality improvement, she is recognized for initiating leader standard work and implementing unit-based quality improvement methods, utilizing LEAN principles to enhance processes.
Associate Chief Nursing Officer for Spaulding Rehabilitation, Continuing Medical Care Cambridge
Pauline Smith, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, is the associate chief nursing officer (ACNO) at Spaulding Rehabilitation, Continuing Medical Care Cambridge. Pauline holds a doctorate degree from the MGH Institute of Health Professions, dual master's degrees in business administration and nursing from St. Joseph’s College of Maine, and two bachelor's degrees in business administration from Suffolk University and in Nursing from Simmons University. She has also contributed to the professional development of future nurses as an adjunct clinical instructor at Simmons University, the MGH Institute of Health Professions and Quincy College. Pauline is a member of the American Nurses Association, American Organization of Nursing Leadership, and the Organization of Nurse Leaders, New England. She also completed the executive program of the CNO Institute in Texas and obtained her certification in Lean Six Sigma, Green Belt. Her extensive nursing career encompasses a wide range of care settings, including over eight years as a staff nurse in acute care and more than 14 years as a nursing supervisor.
Director of Nursing Services at Spaulding Nursing and Therapy Center Brighton
Martha Kaniaru, DNP, RN, CRRN, NEA-BC, LSSGB is the Director of Nursing Services at Spaulding Nursing and Therapy Center in Brighton, Massachusetts. She is responsible for overseeing the management and clinical aspects of patient care services, as well as the daily operations of the nursing division. Martha is known for her authentic leadership skills. She holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA, and is committed to promoting rehabilitation and executive nursing in post-acute and skilled nursing environments. Martha is passionate about innovating nursing practice, developing preceptors, and advancing nursing education. She holds certifications in Rehabilitation Nursing, Nurse Executive, and Addictions. Additionally, Martha is actively involved in nursing research and participates in various research endeavors.
Nursing practice and patient care
Professional practice and professional governance models
Building on Spaulding Rehabilitation’s legacy of excellence in rehabilitation treatment and research, our professional governance and practice models are designed to ensure the highest standards of care and innovation for our patients, with our nurses playing a central role in these models.
Spaulding Rehabilitation’s professional governance model is founded on the principle of "finding strength, giving back lives, one day better each day." This model, rooted in advocacy, academics, research, and clinical practice, prioritizes patient independence through human-centered principles, fostering innovation for value-based health care.
Awards and recognition
Spaulding collaborates with the DAISY Foundation to provide recognition of the clinical skill and the compassion nurses provide to patients and families. The international award was established by Bonnie and Mark Barnes in honor of their son, Patrick, who died of the auto-immune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP) at age 33.
Commitment to quality and safety
Our Mass General Brigham goal is to lead the nation in providing the highest quality care For Every Patient. In alignment with this system goal, Spaulding Rehabilitation nurses are contributing to delivering the highest quality care by engaging in strategies that improve the patient’s experience, and nursing quality outcomes, while also reducing mortality and hospital acquired infections. Using a High Reliability framework, nursing strategies are transforming care that is equitable, team-oriented, data driven, and rigorously focused on mitigating risk and continually improving care delivery.
Nursing education and professional development
- Mentorship Program: Mentors offer guidance, support, and practical advice based on their own experiences, helping mentees navigate challenges, develop professionally, and achieve their career goals.
- Preceptor Program: We pair new nurses with experienced mentors to facilitate their transition into clinical practice and enhance their skills through hands-on guidance and support.
- Enrichment Programs: Specialized training and development opportunities tailored to nurses' interests and career goals, such as advanced certifications, leadership workshops, or specialized clinical skills training.
- Continuing Education Programs: Ongoing learning opportunities for nurses to stay updated with the latest advancements in health care, expand their knowledge and skills, and maintain professional licensure requirements.
- Nursing and Interprofessional Grand Rounds: Educational sessions where health care professionals come together to discuss complex cases, share best practices, and learn from each other's experiences.
- Professional Portfolio Programs: Structured pathways for nurses to advance their careers through meeting defined criteria and showcasing proficiency in clinical skills, leadership, and professional development. It acknowledges nurses' growth from novice to expert, enhancing the overall expertise and effectiveness of our nursing staff.
- Nightingale Fellowship: The Nightingale Fellowship offers a one-year program designed for Spaulding nurses to envision their career path with purpose. It provides a platform for nurses seeking varied and rewarding career opportunities. Ideal candidates are RNs in the early-mid stages of their careers, working 24-40 hours per week in direct care roles.
- Specialty Certification Programs: Nurses can achieve advanced credentials in specialized areas like critical care, oncology, or pediatrics, showcasing their expertise and dedication to delivering top-notch care. Specialty Certification validates nurses' knowledge, experience, and clinical judgment in specific practice areas, enhancing skills for advanced patient care.
Our one-year Nursing Residency Program is designed to support your transition to practice, aligning with our mission to enhance patient care and cultivate a positive work environment. It is structured into three phases tailored to meet the unique needs of new graduate nurses. The program offers essential educational opportunities that promote ongoing professional development.
During the first 12 weeks of residency, you will be guided by dedicated unit preceptors as part of a centralized onboarding process. You'll attend in-person seminars, interact with new nurse colleagues, and engage in hands-on learning activities led by experts. The remainder of your residency will focus on mentorship and professional development, enhancing your critical thinking and clinical reasoning abilities. Monthly seminars, hands-on activities, and an end-of-year project will enrich your comprehensive experience.
Spaulding Rehabilitation offers rolling admission to our Nurse Residency Program. Your participation in the program is considered scheduled work hours, ensuring a focused commitment to your development. This dedicated time guarantees your complete engagement. As a vital member of the Spaulding team, you'll enjoy the support of a nurturing network that champions your professional growth.