United Spinal Association has hired wheelchair racer Arielle Rausin as its new director of chapter and hospital network relations and engagement.
“Rausin’s appointment will strengthen United Spinal’s national chapter network during a period when disability issues are gaining greater visibility and important new rights and reforms have been secured in areas such as health care and air transportation,” an April 28 United Spinal announcement said. “The national chapter network comprises 39 organizations located throughout the United States. Through the national chapter network, United Spinal promotes community building, cultural activities, and local grassroots advocacy among wheelchair users.”
Rausin will also be responsible for expanding the association’s hospital network, the announcement added: “Comprising over 125 members nationwide, it is a nexus for collaboration between the disability community and clinicians on health equity, accessibility, and inclusion for wheelchair users.”
Rausin’s résumé includes serving as the director of international chapters for Achilles International, an organization that serves athletes with disabilities. Paralyzed in a car accident at age 10, Rausin competed internationally for the United States as a long-distance wheelchair racer and founded Ingenium Manufacturing in 2016; the company creates wheelchair racing gloves via 3D printing. One of Rausin’s Ingenium gloves, which she used while competing in the 2015 Boston Marathon, was featured in a Smithsonian National Museum of American History exhibition in Washington, D.C.
“Our chapters and hospital partners are the heart of our grassroots movement, bringing our mission to life in communities across the country,” said United Spinal’s President/CEO Vincenzo Piscopo. “We’re thrilled to welcome Arielle as our new Director of Chapter and Hospital Network Relations. Her leadership will help deepen our local impact and expand our reach. Arielle’s passion and experience will be key to empowering our network and strengthening the voice of our community nationwide.”
