In 1990s New York, Jennifer Allison started out as a research nurse to improve the lives of children with a rare inherited condition; today she is an international award winner, leading over 40 research nurses in Southampton’s clinical research facility.
Leadership through experience
Jennifer Allison began her research nursing career helping to improve and lengthen the lives of children with familial dysautonomia, a rare inherited condition causing episodes of hypertension and vomiting often leading to chronic lung disease, alternating with dangerous hypotension.
Her work then helped address these debilitating symptoms, as well as problems with speech, mobility, sensing pain, and, in extreme cases, renal failure.
Today she is at the top of her profession. An international award winner, she leads over 40 research nurses in Southampton’s clinical research facility to deliver the same unstinting quality of care through trials that will yield tomorrow’s treatments.
Central to research
“I’m so proud of our teams,” said senior research nurse manager Jennifer.
“Their compassion and professionalism means the best possible care for research participants, but also the highest quality research, with accurate and reliable results - absolutely vital to improving health and care.”
The pivotal role of Southampton’s grey-uniformed research nurses can’t be understated, starting with decisions on whether and how a research study can proceed, through working closely with investigators in managing the study to completion.
Award winning nursing teams
Lisa Berry, senior research sister, helped Southampton take silver in the 2013 Pharmatimes research site of the year awards, which recognised the quality of trial management in Southampton.
“The judges are drawn from the best of the pharmaceutical industry and the National Institute for Health Research itself, so the award is a real stamp of approval,” explained Lisa. “It says that Southampton can be trusted by patients, clinical teams and industry to deliver quality research, efficiently and to the highest safety standards.”
This was the second successive Pharmatimes award for Southampton, with the 2012 win led by Jan Westbury, senior research nurse manager of over 90 research nurses and allied health professionals (AHPs) that compliment Jennifer’s core team in working across Southampton’s clinical services and Hampshire communities.
“I think these awards underline the commitment and quality of our research nurses,” added Jan. “We’re also building research into the careers of nurses and AHPs throughout the clinical workforce, to help embed research at the heart of all care.”
A clear focus
For Jennifer Allison - winner of the 2011 International Association of Clinical Research Nurses (IACRN) distinguished research nurse award - the key to success is clear.
“My career has taken me from New York to exciting work in Southampton today, but my focus has never changed,” she said. “The goal must always be to keep patients and healthy participants at the centre of our work, building genuine partnerships that lead to real benefits for patients. In wearing the signature grey uniform, every one of our nurses is committing to compassionate care and research excellence. I am extremely proud of their work and my own role within it."
Posted on Saturday 19 March 2016