28 Oct UW Health nurse recognized for clinical research leadership
UW Health’s Tamara Kempken Mehring (pictured on the right) was recently named the recipient of the 2022 Distinguished Clinical Research Nurse Award by the International Association of Clinical Research Nurses (IACRN).
Tamara is currently the clinical nurse specialist within the Clinical Research Unit at UW Hospital where she leads a team through all aspects of research implementation, while creating an environment that supports the conduct of safe, ethical, compliant and high-quality clinical research at UW. Throughout her career, Tamara has been a champion in developing and fostering the practice of clinical research nurses, dissemination of best practices, and has made significant contributions to the recognition of clinical research nursing as a specialty nursing practice.
“Tamara’s dedication to her unit, practice and profession is evident in everything she does,” said Tammy Kiger, nurse manager, UW Health. “She heightens the awareness and visibility of clinical research nursing at UW Hospital and has earned the respect of national and international colleagues through her numerous incredible contributions to her profession.”
Tamara is a voice for nursing on the UW Health Sciences Institutional Review Board and serves as a member of UW Health’s Clinical Trials Leadership Team to help establish an improved clinical research infrastructure. At the national and international levels, she has served in several key leadership roles within the IACRN, co-authored the Scope and Standards for Clinical Research Nursing, and was instrumental in the creation of the Clinical Research Nurse Certification Council, which established the first professional certification for clinical research nurses.
“Tamara embodies everything a clinical research nurse should strive for,” said Carla Croft, clinical research program specialist, UW Health. “Her knowledge, passion and drive are apparent in the work she’s accomplished and continues to accomplish for clinical research nursing.”
The Distinguished Clinical Research Nurse Award honors leaders in clinical research nursing who define, validate and advance clinical research nursing and support the professional development of clinical research nurses. Tamara was selected due to her career-long, significant contributions to clinical research nursing through exceptional research, education, collaboration and dissemination of best practices.
Click Here to learn more about the award.