Barbara J. Levin, BSN, RN, ONC, CMSRN, LNCC, FNAON
Clinical Scholar | Orthopaedic, Trauma & Medical-Surgical Expert | Legal Nurse Consultant | International Speaker
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“My career in orthopaedic nursing has been defined by clinical excellence, transformative leadership and an unwavering dedication to advancing the profession. Through education, innovation and advocacy, I have worked to create lasting impact — locally, nationally and internationally.”
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With four decades of nursing experience, Barbara has served as a pivotal member of the Orthopaedic Trauma Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) since 1991. Her clinical focus includes the management of complex orthopaedic patients, joint replacements and multi-trauma cases. She brings deep expertise in postoperative care, neurovascular assessment and early detection of complications — core competencies that have directly contributed to the development of safety protocols and significantly enhanced patient recovery outcomes.
Since 2006, Barbara has held the distinguished position of Clinical Scholar at MGH. In this capacity, she has mentored generations of nurses, led the implementation of evidence-based care innovations and advanced the integration of research into clinical practice. Her work has improved pain management, mobility and surgical recovery protocols, resulting in measurable reductions in complications and better patient outcomes.
Currently serving on the MGH Quality & Safety Committee (2024–2026), Barbara leads and contributes to strategic initiatives that promote interdisciplinary collaboration, integrate best practices into clinical workflows and drive quality improvement in orthopaedic care. She actively engages in shaping clinical strategy and identifying opportunities that elevate nursing practice and optimize care delivery.
Barbara is a certified orthopaedic nurse (ONC) and certified medical-surgical nurse (CMSRN). In 2025, she was honored with the Fellow Designation (FAON), the highest recognition awarded by the National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses (NAON). This designation represents a career-long commitment to orthopaedic nursing and a lasting legacy of leadership and excellence that continues to shape the profession.
In recognition of her clinical expertise and leadership, Barbara received the Partners in Excellence Award for Outstanding Community Contributions.
As a nationally recognized expert, Barbara brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and a deep commitment to education and patient safety. She has lectured extensively to nurses, physicians, healthcare leaders and attorneys across the country, and her work has driven improvements in healthcare policy, strategic planning and compliance with accreditation standards such as those of The Joint Commission.
Barbara's passion for education is evident in the programs she develops and delivers. In 2016, she received the Donahoo & Dimon Memorial Clinical Legacy Lectureship Award for excellence in promoting orthopaedic best practices through research and multidisciplinary education. That same year, she co-developed a nationally adopted neurovascular assessment and competency program in collaboration with a physician safety leader, which continues to be used in clinical settings to enhance patient safety and clinical proficiency.
From 2012 to 2020, Barbara served on the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing, including three years as Chair, where she helped shape nursing regulation and policy at the state level. She also served on the Massachusetts Medical Malpractice Tribunal, evaluating the merit of complex legal claims. On a national level, she held leadership roles on NAON's Board of Directors and Executive Board, and she has educated hundreds of nurses through orthopaedic certification review courses.
As a certified Legal Nurse Consultant (LNCC), Barbara provides expert consultation and education in a wide range of legal cases. She served as President of the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC), chaired the committee that authored the national position statement on legal nurse consulting and collaborated with the American Nurses Association to define the Scope & Standards of Practice for Legal Nurse Consultants — an achievement that formally recognized and advanced the specialty.
An accomplished speaker, Barbara has presented at international, national and regional conferences, educating diverse audiences including healthcare professionals, medical students and legal professionals. Her internationally acclaimed patient safety presentation, “Untangling Charlotte's Web,” was featured at the International Council of Nurses Conference in Yokohama, Japan, alongside her session on “Effective Education Using Non-Traditional Approaches.” She also co-developed an online legal course for nurse managers in partnership with Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society.
Barbara has been featured in “Who's Who in Nursing” and is widely regarded as a trailblazer and thought leader in orthopaedic nursing. Her work continues to inspire excellence across disciplines — advancing patient care, enhancing clinical education and promoting the integration of nursing and law.
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For more information, please contact her: Barbara@BarbaraJLevin.com
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