In Memoriam...

Nancy A. Harrington, RNC, REIN

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"Nancy Harrington, RNC, REIN Memorial Scholarship Fund"

In honor of Nancy Harrington, the New England Fertility Society is establishing a scholarship program to support nursing attendance at the NEFS Annual meeting. Contributions in her memory can be below:
"Nancy Harrington, RNC, REIN Memorial Scholarship Fund" 

It is with great sadness that we share the news that one of the Society’s longtime members and former 2004 NEFS President, Nancy A. Harrington, RNC, REIN, passed away on February 11, 2025 after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer. She was just 68 years old. Nancy was one of the early members of the Boston Fertility Society, now known as the New England Fertility Society. She was instrumental in building the NEFS into the successful professional organization it is today.

Nancy had an illustrious career as a nurse, an educator, a manager, and an administrator. She was a local pioneer and was nationally and globally respected for her work in the field of reproductive endocrinology and infertility. She paved the way for countless nurses by educating, encouraging, motivating, and inspiring nurses with her passion and commitment.

Nancy began her REI career in the late 1980s at Boston Regional Center for Reproductive Medicine in Stoneham, MA where she rose to the position of Center Director. While maintaining her position at Boston Reginal she joined EMD Serono as an educational consultant and then in 1997 went on to become the Director of Allied Health Education in the Women’s Reproductive Health division at EMD Serono, where she developed her passion for promoting nursing education. Nancy’s enthusiasm for clinical education, patient advocacy, ensuring patient access to infertility care, and her business acumen led her to various senior level positions in the scientific, industry, and pharmaceutical side of fertility care. Prior to her illness Nancy was a Senior Specialist of Clinical Education for AllianceRx Walgreens Prime Pharmacy.

During her 30-plus year career in REI, Nancy educated, inspired, and motivated many nurses and allied health professionals. She was an advocate for REI nurses and was a devoted and dedicated reproductive health nursing educator. She is credited with numerous presentations and publications dating back to 1989. Nancy was elected as the 15th President of the New England Fertility Society in 2004 and was the first nurse to hold that position. She advocated for and implemented the provision for nurses to receive continuing education credits for the NEFS meetings. Throughout the years, Nancy continued her active role in the NEFS supporting its mission and goals and was often requested as a speaker for annual and quarterly meetings. In 2021, the Society presented Nancy with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her many contributions to the Society and her work in the field of REI.

Nancy’s passion for nursing education and her many leadership roles across numerous organizations has inspired those who were fortunate enough to be in her presence. Nancy's impact on the fertility industry was immense and those who were fortunate enough to cross paths with will always cherish her. A copy of her obituary can be found here: Obituary information for Nancy Ann Harrington