SOUTH HUNTINGTON, NY, October 22, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Heather Caramanzana, PhD, RN, NPD-BC, NEA-BC, CRRN, has been recognized for achievement in nursing and healthcare administration.

Dr. Caramanzana's distinguished career of nearly 30 years in nursing is marked by progressive leadership and a dedication to advancing the specialty of rehabilitation nursing. Since 2024, she has served as the director of patient care services at Northwell Health, where her expertise in inpatient rehabilitation nursing, research, clinical practice and education continues to shape the organization's approach to patient care and professional development. In her capacity, she works in inpatient rehabilitation, conducts research focused on nurse well-being and actively grows the number of certified rehabilitation nurses within the institution.

From 2018 to 2023, Dr. Caramanzana held the position of nurse manager at Glen Cove Hospital (part of Northwell Health). During her tenure, she was pivotal in launching the organizations inpatient rehabilitation Parkinson's program in 2019, a pioneering initiative that began with two beds and expanded to accommodate 12 beds. This program was the first in New York State to receive Joint Commission disease-specific accreditation for Parkinson's, providing patients from the community with a specialized two-week stay tailored to their functional goals.

Dr. Caramanzana's leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic was particularly notable as she took on stretch assignments leading multiple rehabilitation units and a medical-surgical unit. Recognizing the immense strain on nursing staff who were working extended shifts, she collaborated with brain injury unit nurses to conduct a research study on developing a Watson Room — a respite space designed for nurses' well-being that featured a recliner, meditation music and lavender, inspired by the renowned nurse theorist Jean Watson.

Before her management role, Dr. Caramanzana contributed as a nurse professional development specialist at Glen Cove from 2009 to 2018. Throughout these years, she was a nurse educator serving the inpatient rehabilitation service line and nursing education department. She was the coordinator for the hospital's nursing education orientation program. Additionally, she developed a clinical ladder program for nursing assistants, served as chairperson of the Clinical Ladder Review Board, Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice Council as well as the Nursing Education Collaborative Care Council.

She began her career at Glen Cove Hospital as a medical surgical nurse from 1998 to 2002 and served five years as an assistant nurse manager. From 2007 to 2009, Dr. Caramanzana was a Hearst Critical Care Nurse Fellow, deepening her leadership experience in high-acuity patient care environments.

Further underscoring her steadfast belief that inpatient rehabilitation is a unique specialty within the nursing field, Dr. Caramanzana is also an active member of the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses and serves as a board member of the Rehabilitation Nursing Certification Board.

Hailing from an equally accomplished academic background, Dr. Caramanzana earned a Doctor of Philosophy in nursing research from Molloy University in 2018, equipping her with advanced research skills that continue to inform her work on nurse well-being and program development. She also obtained a Master of Science in nursing administration and informatics from Molloy University as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Adelphi University.

To augment her professional qualifications, Dr. Caramanzana is certified as a rehabilitation registered nurse (CRRN) and board-certified as a nurse professional development specialist (NPD-BC) and nurse executive advanced (NEA-BC).

Along with her formal education, mentorship has played an essential role throughout Dr. Caramanzana's journey. The supportive cultures and encouragement from colleagues at Glen Cove Hospital and Northwell Health inspired her pursuit of a doctorate and certifications — an experience she credits with shaping both her career trajectory and personal philosophy.

Dr. Caramanzana's entry into rehabilitation nursing was influenced by the ever-evolving trends within the specialty; when prompted by her chief nursing officer about changes that were shifting rehabilitation toward neurology rather than orthopedics, she accepted an offer to become a rehabilitation nurse educator after completing her master's degree. Her efforts throughout this time helped to establish pathways for other nurses seeking rehabilitation certification and directly led to her appointment as nurse manager of Glen Cove Hospital's brain injury unit in 2018.

Beyond her clinical and administrative responsibilities, Dr. Caramanzana is dedicated to both civic-minded initiatives and scholarly contributions. She spent eight years volunteering at a local food pantry, demonstrating her commitment to community well-being outside of hospital settings. She also serves as a reviewer for Rehabilitation Nursing Journal and has published her own influential works, including the 2020 phenomenological study "Millennial Nurses Connecting with Patients" which was featured in Nurse Leader and 2025 "Recharging in the Moment: A Quality-of-Life Study" in Rehabilitation Nursing Journal.

On a personal level, Dr. Caramanzana leads a rich and fulfilling family life as the proud mother of daughter, Lily. As a balance to her nursing and teaching endeavors, she enjoys relaxing outdoor activities like gardening, bicycling and walking her dog Ziggy.

Looking toward the future, Dr. Caramanzana intends to continue pursuing her passion for inpatient rehabilitation nursing while expanding opportunities for other nurses interested in this specialty. Her accomplishments and prospective goals alike reflect her longstanding legacy of leadership, human connection, continuous learning and helping others through everything she does — both in the healthcare sector and beyond.

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