IACRN
BOSTON-NE CHAPTER
Fall 2025 Newsletter
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A Letter from the President
Our Education Committee continues to provide outstanding programming. Most recently, they organized and hosted the webinar entitled “A Data-Driven Approach to CRN Management of Study Recruitment” presented by Stephanie H. Kinlay, MPH, BSN, RN, Clinical Research Nurse and Lead CHND Manager in the Division of Newborn Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital. This session provided a CE to all eligible attendees, with no additional charge for BNE members – a perk of chapter membership J Thank you so much to the BNE-IACRN Education Committee, Stephanie, and to all who joined us for this fantastic session.
Building on this commitment to professional development, IACRN’s Certification Accountability Group (CAG) has been working incredibly hard to support member needs across the organization. CAG was developed by the BNE chapter and is currently led by two BNE-IACRN board members, Jenny Lewis and Catherine Dempsey. For those who don’t know, the CRN-BC credential is the only nursing-specific certification that recognizes expertise as a Clinical Research Nurse. CRN certification is earned through the completion of a portfolio, with initial applications due by October 1st and April 1st each year. The peer support network provided by the accountability group has been instrumental in helping CRNs prepare their CRN certification portfolios. If you are interested in learning more about certification or how to join a CAG cohort, feel free to contact me!
Looking ahead, BNE chapter 2025 elections will soon open with a call for nominations for the role of Member-at-Large (MAL). Serving on the board is a great way to contribute to the chapter, develop leadership skills, and earn valuable points toward your CRN certification portfolio. If you are curious about the MAL role or would like to learn about other opportunities to get more involved with the BNE chapter, please reach out to katelyn.leake@childrens.harvard.edu.
Finally, recently our chapter has been reflecting on our mission and vision and working to update both statements to better reflect who we are today and where we are headed. We are excited to share the refreshed statements with you very soon.
Thank you for your continued dedication to the Boston-New England Chapter of IACRN. Your engagement is critical to strengthening our local CRN community. We’d love to hear from you—please reach out anytime with questions, ideas, or ways we can better support you as a CRN.
Warm Regards,
Catriona N. Grant, MSN, RN, CRN-BC
President, Boston-New England Chapter of IACRN
Dear Members of the Boston-New England Chapter of IACRN,
I hope this message finds you well as we head into the fall season (how is it already the end of September?!). I am excited to share some recent highlights and updates from the BNE-IACRN chapter.
BNE Executive Board Elections
Interested in Becoming More Involved with the Boston - New England Chapter of IACRN?
Consider applying to become the next Member-at-Large!
The Member-at-Large supports chapter planning, communications, and membership engagement—tasks are shared with a co–Member-at-Large, making it flexible and collaborative, a great way to get involved!"
Each position held on our executive board will begin in January 2026. Elections are scheduled to take place this Fall.
Please contact Katie Leake (katelyn.leake@childrens.harvard.edu) or Emily Clermont (emily.clermont@childrens.harvard.edu) by 9/30/25 if you are interested in running or would like to find out more. A description of this position or connections with current Board members for more information can be provided or arranged!
IACRN Board of Director Elections
Elections for the 2026 IACRN Board of Directors are happening now and we spotted a familiar face on the ballot!
Please join us in voting for our current BNE Chapter President, Catriona Grant, for the IACRN Member-at-Large position.
Catriona has been a longtime supporter of CRN advancement through her work at Mass General Hospital, participation in the institution's CRN collaborative, and engagement with the BNE Chapter. We know she will bring the same energy to her work at the global level.
Welcome New Members
We are pleased to welcome new and returning members to the BNE Chapter:
Kristin Legor
JoAnn Miller
Allie Walpert
Elizabeth Medlinsky
New/Returning Members Spotlight
JoAnn Miller
JoAnn is a Clinical Research Nurse on a Phase 1 team at the Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.
Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, spending time at the beach, reading, and a good massage.
Kristen Legor
Kristen is Vice President of Clinical Research Nursing Operations & Associate Chief Nurse at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA. She is currently serving as a Member-at-Large for the IACRN Board of Directors (term ends 12/31/2025). Her research focus of interest is equitable access to cancer clinical trials.
Outside of work, Kristen is mom to a very active toddler son. She moved to a small farm a few years ago (and can't believe she has a barn and a tractor in her yard!). She is also an avid traveler and loves a good crime podcast on her commute home.
Upcoming Events
Save the Date! IACRN 17th Annual Conference
This year's conference will be October 15-17, and will be held virtually.
Would you be interested in meeting up in person for all or part of the conference? Let us know below!
BNE IACRN Meet-up at Fenway Park has been rescheduled to
Sunday, September 28!!
More information here!
Recent Events
Boston New England Chapter August 2025 Meeting
Featured Speaker: Stephanie H. Kinlay, MPH, BSN, RN
Wishing everyone a healthy and happy Fall!