Welcome to Vital Signs & Verdicts!
The AALNC Newsletter
This is your home for current and archives of communications and newsletters.
Vital Signs and Verdicts - July 2026
Tamara Karlin-Bossier's President's Message
July was a busy and rewarding month, both personally and as a volunteer leader with AALNC. I celebrated my son's first wedding anniversary, a relaxing Independence Day weekend, a first-time attendance at NNBA, and LNC Awareness Week!
Mid-month, I spent several restful days out west with a dear friend at the beautiful place where my husband and I were married. We enjoyed home-cooked meals, meaningful conversations, daily walks, breathtaking sunsets, and dreams of future adventures. It was a renewing time of laughter and rest before heading to the National Nurses in Business Association (NNBA) Conference with AALNC Executive Director Marisa Streelman and ALNCCB Chairperson Jean Cooper. The NNBA attendees were nurses filled with such passion, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit, that was inspirational. The educational sessions were inspiring, and the networking opportunities with attendees, speakers, and exhibitors were invaluable.
Expanding relationships with other nursing organizations while increasing awareness of legal nurse consulting has been a goal of the AALNC Board of Directors in the last few years. It is incredibly rewarding to see those efforts come to fruition. Collaboration strengthens our profession, broadens opportunities for our members, and allows us all to learn from one another.
Although it is mid-summer, AALNC continues to build exciting momentum. We are thrilled to welcome four new chapters: New England, Gulf Coast, Atlanta, and Greater Midwest. Their enthusiasm has been evident through their engaging social media posts introducing board members and highlighting upcoming educational and networking opportunities. With primarily virtual meetings, members can participate in any chapter, regardless of location, creating more opportunities to connect, share knowledge, and build relationships across the country. Learn more about our chapters and how you can join and become involved here.
July concluded with AALNC’s annual LNC Awareness Week, featuring two webinars that informed, inspired, and connected our legal nurse consulting community. On July 28, our popular So You Want to Be an LNC? webinar introduced an engaging new online format led by AALNC Chapter leaders. On July 30, The Course of a Case brought together experienced legal nurse consultants from diverse practice settings to share practical insights on the way they handle a case. Both sessions sparked an engaged chat, discussion, and questions. If you were unable to attend, both recordings will be available on the AALNC website in the coming weeks.
The momentum will continue into August, with our LNC Lounge, hosted by Jean Cooper, ALNCCB Chair, as she presents, LNCC Journey-Learn, Prepare, Achieve-A Pathway to Legal Nurse Consultant Certification and AALNC Jumpstart, a virtual workshop on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CT. Designed specifically for new legal nurse consultants, this interactive workshop provides a strong foundation for launching a successful legal nurse consultant career and offers 6.0 contact hours. Registration is now open! https://aalnc.org/jumpstart/
As our community continues to grow and thrive, I am inspired by the passion, generosity, and dedication of our members. Thank you for the many ways you contribute to advancing our profession and supporting one another. Together, we are building an even stronger future for legal nurse consultants.
Dedicated to Serve,
Tamara L. Karlin-Bossier, RN LNCC AALNC
President 2026–2027
See the rest of the July Newsletter here!
Vital Signs and Verdicts - June 2026
Tamara Karlin-Bossier's President's Message
As summer settles into Chicago and July quickly approaches, it's hard to believe how fast this year is passing by. June for me was filled with family gatherings, gardening, and a few unexpected home improvement projects. It also marked my second Father's Day without my dad.
I've come to appreciate just how profoundly my dad shaped my life. He never finished high school and struggled with reading and writing, yet he showed me there was nothing he couldn't learn and do. For more than 50 years, he worked in construction as a laborer and tuckpointing foreman, never complaining about long days in the heat or bitter Chicago winters.
When I was growing up, he often took me to construction sites during school breaks, explaining the buildings, repairs, and materials around us. I didn't realize until years later how valuable those experiences would become. I remember some of those job sites like it was yesterday.
While taking my Illinois State Nursing Board exam in 1984, one of the first patient scenarios described what I immediately recognized as histoplasmosis. During the break, my classmates wondered how I knew the answers so quickly. I smiled and said, "I learned it from my dad." He had taught me about the health risks of bird droppings on construction sites where special protective masks were required. At that moment, I realized one of his everyday lessons had helped shape my nursing career before it even started.
My dad also taught me that hard work, curiosity, and creativity can take you almost anywhere. He always showed me to never be afraid to get my hands dirty. I assumed growing up that everyone's dad could put up wallpaper and ceiling fans, fix a furnace or sump pump, pour concrete, landscape a yard, or even build a swimming pool. In fact, he and my brother installed our family's built in pool by hand with shovels in 1976 when I was a junior in high school. Last summer, while sorting through family photos, I found the album documenting the project and countless memories of our family and friends enjoying that pool. I know he would have loved hearing that the new homeowners are excited to bring it back to life this summer.
One of my earliest sewing memories was when I was 9 years old watching my dad use his grandmother's Singer sewing machine to make a canvas cover he drafted for our air conditioner. Looking back, I like to think I inherited his creativity. That same curiosity inspired me to teach myself to sew 12 years ago, leading to a passion more than a simple hobby, and friendships and experiences I never imagined.
The lessons my dad taught me—work hard, stay curious, and don't be afraid to learn something new—have carried me throughout my nursing and legal nurse consulting careers, and my years of volunteering with AALNC.
Even during the summer months, AALNC has plenty to look forward to. Planning is underway for April 2027 Annual Forum in San Francisco, so watch your email for the upcoming Call for Speaker Abstracts. LNC Awareness Week returns during the last week of July with two complimentary live webinars: So You Want to Be an LNC? on July 28 at 7:00 p.m. CT and The Course of a Case on July 30 at 2:00 p.m. CT.
Be sure to check the AALNC website for upcoming AALNC and chapter events, and updates on the exciting development of several new AALNC chapters that I'll be highlighting in the coming months.
As our community continues to grow and thrive, we remain committed to supporting each of you on your LNC journey. Until next month!
Dedicated to Serve,
Tamara L. Karlin-Bossier, RN LNCC AALNC
President 2026–2027
See the rest of the June Newsletter here!
Vital Signs and Verdicts - May 2026
Tamara Karlin-Bossier's President's Message
May is often a whirlwind of celebration, reflection, and remembrance. It is a month filled with milestones that remind us how quickly life moves and how deeply connected we are to the people we love. We gather to honor achievements hard-earned through years of perseverance, growth, and sacrifice — applauding our children, grandchildren, family members, and friends as they walk across stages from Kindergarten graduations to advanced postgraduate programs, each stepping confidently into a new chapter of life.
For families with high school and college-aged children, May also ushers in a season of transition: college visits, moving students home for the summer, and trying to carve out precious time for vacations and togetherness before another school year begins. As a child, summer once felt endless to me. As a parent, I learned it is only a fleeting eight weeks that somehow disappears in the blink of an eye while we try desperately to fit every meaningful moment into it.
Memorial Day weekend is often seen as the unofficial start of summer with warmer weather, opening pools, and backyard barbeques. Yet beneath the festivities lies a solemn and profound purpose. It is a time to remember the brave military men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice so we may live with freedoms, safety, and peace that many around the world never experience. Most of us know someone serving in our armed forces or have loved ones connected to military service. Even small acts of kindness such as a card, a care package, support for a military family can remind them their sacrifices are seen and appreciated.
Mother’s Day, too, carries deep meaning. It is a day to celebrate mothers and all who have nurtured, guided, and loved others so selflessly through what has often been called the hardest, yet most rewarding, job in the world. At the same time, I try to hold space in my heart for those grieving the loss of a mother or child, as well as for those who longed to become mothers but never had the opportunity.
This year, Mother’s Day was especially difficult for me because it was my first without my mom, who passed away last June. No matter your age, nothing truly prepares you for that profound loss. Yet amid the grief, I find gratitude in having had her in my life for 65 years. I choose to hold tightly to the countless memories, the laughter, and the invaluable wisdom she shared with me throughout my life. My mom was my greatest champion through every joy and hardship, through marriage, raising children, buying homes, career changes, and unexpected losses.
One conversation with her forever changed the course of my life. In 2002, my hospital management position was eliminated after a new administration took over. After more than twenty years in the hospital setting, I suddenly found myself standing at a crossroads. I had done some independent legal nurse consulting work on the side for several years and had recently joined the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants in February. By May, I had been offered a part-time position with a small plaintiff law firm in downtown Chicago through our local chapter. I was 42 years old and stepping into completely unfamiliar territory. I had never commuted on a public train, never worked in a bustling city law firm, and never imagined reinventing myself professionally after spending decades in healthcare. The opportunity excited me, but it also terrified me.
When I shared my fears with my mom, she listened quietly and then asked me a simple question: “Why are you afraid to start this exciting new journey?” I answered honestly: “What if I fail?” Without hesitation, she replied, “What if you don’t? What if you discover you’re really good at this and you love it?” Those words became one of the greatest gifts she ever gave me.
She taught me to trust my instincts, embrace uncertainty, and never let fear of failure keep me from pursuing something meaningful. Because of her encouragement, I took that leap of faith and never looked back. My involvement with American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants led me not only to a fulfilling career, but also to lifelong friendships and colleagues who have enriched my life beyond measure. It was not always an easy journey. But the most worthwhile journeys rarely are easy and can teach us so much. So if you are a new LNC wondering if this field is for you, I will always tell you to go for it!
So many exciting things are happening within AALNC! We celebrated National Nurses Week with a poignant LNC Lounge, sharing how we are empowered and continue to be effective as nurses and LNCs. We celebrated all the LNCs that passed the exam to earn their LNCC. Our free June Lounge will be hosted on June 10th at 8 pm EST by our board Director At Large, Tori Palivoda, who will be discussing, How to get your first client. We look forward to LNC Awareness Week in mid-July with two live webinars, So you want to be an LNC? and a panel discussion by experienced LNCs about working up a case in different LNC roles.
Check the AALNC Calendar on our website and on the mobile AALNC app that is very user friendly with everything AALNC at your fingertips. The multiple special interest groups (SIGs) are a valuable member benefit and often have LNC job postings and opportunities for LNC expert work posted. The AALNC calendar is always full of weekly educational and networking events presented by our growing chapters. Completing the AALNC Needs Assessment is easy quick and will help us continue to bring the best value to you as members.
As our community continues to grow and thrive, we remain committed to supporting each of you on your LNC journey. Until next month!
Dedicated to Serve,
Tamara L. Karlin-Bossier, RN LNCC AALNC
President 2026–2027
See the rest of the May Newsletter here!
Vital Signs and Verdicts - April 2026
Tamara Karlin-Bossier's President's Message
April here in Chicago has brought the typical frequent rain, massive temperature fluctuations within hours, and an occasionally warm and sunny day, teasing us that our long, gray winter is finally losing its grip. AALNC kicked off the month on a high note! The April 7th LNC Lounge focused on finding our voice as LNCs on LinkedIn, drew our highest attendance yet and sparked lively, meaningful engagement.
As we move into another month of growth and connection, I want to highlight LinkedIn as a social media tool many of us already use—but may not be fully leveraging. Within our legal nurse consulting community, visibility and engagement are not just about marketing services; they are about building confidence, sharing expertise, and strengthening professional identity. LinkedIn offers a unique space where clinical knowledge meets legal insight. By posting case reflections (while maintaining confidentiality), sharing industry updates, or even commenting thoughtfully on others’ content, you reinforce your voice as a knowledgeable professional. This consistent engagement does not just inform others—it reshapes how you see your own value.
Many members have shared that they hesitate to post because they feel they are “not ready” or do not have something groundbreaking to say. The truth is, confidence grows through participation, not before it. Each post, comment, or interaction is a small step toward owning your expertise. Over time, these small actions compound into a stronger professional presence and a clearer sense of self. Our community benefits when more voices are active. When you share an insight or ask a question, you invite dialogue. You make it easier for others to step forward as well. This creates a ripple effect of engagement that strengthens us collectively.
This month, I encourage each of you to take one intentional action on LinkedIn each week—whether it is posting, commenting, or connecting with a peer. Notice how it feels, not just what it produces. Professional growth is not only about credentials or casework; it is also about being seen and heard. Let’s continue building both our community and our confidence—one post at a time.
As our community continues to grow and thrive, we remain committed to supporting each of you on your LNC journey. We look forward to AALNC’s Nurse’s Week events: AALNC Lounge and Chapter Events. We also have exciting news of members recently launching the Atlanta, Georgia Chapter, and other members planning three potential new AALNC chapters in the gulf area, the Midwest and New England. Stay tuned for further information about these new chapters and current events on the AALNC website and on LinkedIn.
In closing, I want to acknowledge the profound loss our community has recently experienced with the passing of Mary Salka, a cherished and dedicated member of AALNC and the Tampa and Orlando, Florida chapters. Mary’s service in the Air Force, remarkable career in nursing and longstanding work as a respected legal nurse consultant advocating for families affected by medical malpractice, reflect a life defined by commitment, excellence, and service to others.
While I did not have the privilege of knowing Mary personally, the stories and pictures shared by her family, friends and colleagues paint a vivid picture of someone who was not only deeply accomplished, but also vibrant, generous, and a guiding light impacting everyone around her. She was an AALNC pioneer, mentor, and advocate, and a true embodiment of what it means to uplift a profession. Mary’s absence will be deeply felt across AALNC and beyond. We extend our heartfelt thoughts to her family, friends, and all who were touched by her life. Mary’s legacy will continue to inspire us, and she will be greatly missed.
Dedicated to Serve,
Tamara L. Karlin-Bossier, RN LNCC AALNC
President 2026–2027
See the rest of the April Newsletter here!
Vital Signs and Verdicts - March 2026
Tamara Karlin-Bossier's First President's Message
It’s been two weeks since returning home from AALNC Forum in Orlando, Florida, my 19th Forum, and it truly stood out. The education and networking were exceptional, as always, but this year felt different. There was a renewed energy and positivity that set it apart. Perhaps it was the return to an in-person gathering after last year’s virtual event, or the sunny venue near Disney Springs after a long Chicago winter. I’m still catching up with the ongoing social media posts and pictures that confirm, more than anything, it was the people and their enthusiasm and engagement, that made this forum unforgettable and left us wanting more.
Even the “post-forum travel catastrophe” couldn’t dampen spirits. A wide band of severe storms followed by a massive snow system that blanketed the Midwest from Canada to Louisiana caused widespread flight delays and cancellations across the country. I have been fascinated by global weather patterns and trends since I was very young, reading dozens of books, watching countless documentaries, and even helping a friend in college to report the weather a few times for a local TV station. It isn’t as easy as it looks! After spending 12 hours at the airport watching colorful and concerning weather charts, I was relieved my flight was canceled rather than flying above or through those dangerous systems.
What stood out most during those delays was our community. Members checked in on one another through group texts until everyone was safely home. They shared hotel rooms, meals, and even clothing when checked luggage was unavailable. Some coordinated rental cars for drives over 12 hours so no one had to travel alone, while others in Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa opened their homes. This level of genuine care and connection, from our members to leadership, was inspiring and deeply appreciated. We have the best community!
Looking ahead, excitement is already building for next year’s AALNC Forum in San Francisco. In the meantime, we have great opportunities to stay connected and continue learning. Join us for the next free LNC Lounge on Tuesday, April 7 at 8 PM EST, featuring a discussion on How to Find Your Voice on LinkedIn with social media expert Sheik Ali. We also have an upcoming live webinar on April 10 at 4 PM CST by Dr. McWeeney on Obstetric Cases: How the Grainy Details Strengthen Your Review.
As our community continues to grow and thrive, we remain committed to supporting each of you on your LNC journey. Until next month!
Dedicated to Serve,
Tamara L. Karlin-Bossier, RN LNCC AALNC
President 2026–2027
See the rest of the March Newsletter here!
Vital Signs and Verdicts - February 2026
President's Message
Jennifer Parks RN, LNCC, President AALNC 2024-2026
I got my first tattoo last year. It’s something I wanted to do more than twenty years ago, but chickened out. When my college sophomore said she wanted to get tattoos together, I decided the time was right. Just before the artist touched me, I fully panicked (my daughter made me go first because she knew I was scared). I wasn’t afraid of the pain, honest. I was afraid of making such a big change. I was afraid of the permanence. What if I hated it? What if I grew bored of it? What if I sneezed during it?
Stepping out of our comfort zone is already difficult, and when a decision requires guts, carries risk, and doesn’t come with an undo button, it’s downright scary.
This is my last President’s message. I’ve been reflecting on my time in the role and what happened over the last several years.
When I joined the Board six years ago, I didn’t arrive with a pedigree or a master plan. I’ve always done things a little green, learning as I go and stepping forward even when I didn’t feel ready. But, what I did have was conviction. And over time, I learned how to lean into it.
My board journey, from Director at Large, to President-Elect, to President has been one of growth, discomfort, and clarity. In the early years, my influence showed up as telling. Lots of telling. I cared deeply, and I wanted progress. The last two years have taught me, though, that improvement doesn’t come from having the loudest voice. It comes from asking better questions.
I learned to ask a lot of questions. And to seek out the wisdom of people who had knowledge I didn’t. I encouraged others to also ask questions. Somewhere along the way, influence shifted into responsibility, and responsibility required something different from me: leadership. I learned that being a leader isn’t just about having ideas or driving decisions; it’s about owning the outcomes, shaping the culture, and guiding the organization through uncertainty. Leading as president challenged me to listen carefully to others, and to act on my own intuition. It dared me to lean into my convictions and bravely do what was hard. I’ve learned that just because something is hard doesn’t mean it’s not good. And just because something is good doesn’t mean it won’t be hard.
During my presidency, the Board faced the reality of rising costs that outpaced our revenue. There was no easy answer. We had to pause, face the numbers honestly, and take a different approach. Those meetings were challenging. They were uncomfortable at times. And they were necessary. We discussed alternate staffing models, we listed initiatives, and we set goals for outcomes.
I’m incredibly proud of how we approached some of the most consequential decisions with humility, thoughtfulness, and a shared commitment to the future of this organization. The progress since then has been remarkably swift and underscores the importance of aligned
leadership and clear roles. With the right Executive Director in place, the Board has been able to focus on strategy, the long-term health of AALNC, and build forward momentum.
As I prepare to pass the gavel in the coming weeks, I do so with immense gratitude, peace, and confidence. Gratitude for the trust and support of the board as we navigated critical decisions. Peace in knowing we did what was necessary. Confidence because the organization’s foundation is strong and fiscally secure and because I have complete faith in our Board, especially our incoming President, Tamara Karlin-Bossier.
Serving as President has been many things. It’s been fun. It’s been busy. It’s been hard. It’s been scary. It has changed me, permanently. I learned to trust my intuition, get curious, and bravely lean into difficult decisions, even when there was no clear roadmap. Especially then.
But above all, it has been an honor.
Jennifer Parks RN, LNCC, AALNC Board President
See the rest of the February Newsletter here!
Vital Signs and Verdicts - January 2026
President's Message
Jennifer Parks RN, LNCC, President AALNC 2024-2026
Why I Keep Coming Back to the Forum
I still remember walking into my first AALNC Forum in 2014, nervous and wondering whether I belonged. A delayed flight had left me without my luggage, and I arrived late to pre-Forum in my travel clothes. I knew no one. What I didn’t know then was that I was about to find my professional home.
I was greeted by the biggest smiles and the most welcoming team imaginable. Later that evening, at the networking event, I met legal nurse consultants who would go on to become trusted colleagues, mentors, and friends. During one education session, I listened to a speaker present on a subspecialty I knew very little about at the time. Just months later, an attorney asked me for help in that exact area. I connected that expert with the attorney who became a star witness in the case. That attorney is still my client today. Talking with an LNC, I learned about a business structure I had never thought of and subsequently adjusted my processes that year which yielded better profit for my company. That was a lot of return on investment from one event!
That experience captures my “why” for attending the AALNC Forum. It’s a place where we come as we are, are welcomed without judgment, form lasting bonds, and find real solutions for our casework. Those connections become our community and naturally foster collaboration. I am living proof that showing up builds confidence, changes careers, and demonstrates we are stronger together.
I asked fellow board members to share why they attend Forum.
Tamara said attending Forum is invaluable because there she feels inspired, safe, supported, and valued interacting with her LNC community, reconnecting with longtime colleagues and friends while making new ones.
Tommy described Forum as the one event he returns from energized rather than overwhelmed, and said the networking is the most valuable: the unscripted hallway conversations over coffee or after sessions that happen only in person and the value and opportunities of those can’t be over emphasized.
Karen shared it’s all about the networking with other LNCs, seeing friends from around the country, and getting top notch education. She always gets fresh ideas, which she applied when working in-house for a firm, and now as an independent contractor that owns her own LNC business. She said it’s energizing!
Tory said the live networking is at a caliber that can’t be found anywhere else and the return on investment is a no-brainer because forum has always resulted in more case work. She is especially excited about the speaker lineup this year and meeting so many sponsors.
Kenyetta said Forum makes a large organization feel small and the education is great for both beginners and well seasoned Legal Nurse Consultants. She added the networking events and dinners are so fun!
Maureen, our novice Director, said she loves forum for the education and business support and finds time to talk with others about business and share clinical knowledge as well. She added there’s a sense of family because the contacts have grown into friendships and she loves the in person connections seeing those who have offered business support, referrals.
Beyond the education and general networking, there’s an overarching theme of why attending forum is a must do: community.
As we look ahead to March 2026 in Florida, my hope is that you’ll join us—whether it’s your first Forum or your thirty first. Come for the education. Come for the connections. Come to find solutions, inspiration, your people, your professional home. We’re ready to welcome you, exactly as you are.
Honored to serve,
Jennifer A Parks, RN, LNCC, AALNC Board President
See the rest of the January Newsletter here!