Joanne Charles

Background

About Joanne Charles

I currently work as a Clinical Research Coordinator II at Boston Children's, working in the Hematology/Oncology department with a focus on patients receiving stem cell transplants. Working as a CRC has allowed me to learn more about myself, and know that I truly do enjoy working in clinical research, something that I never thought I would be interested in. I started working when I was sixteen once I was accepted into the Workforce Development Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. This program allowed me to experience working in the medical field as an intern in different departments. It also focused on college readiness and professional development, with the cohort of students going through weekly training sessions and seminars to help prepare us for college and grow our professional skills. During my time in the WFD program, I worked in departments focused on patient care, but also departments focused on research. By the end of my time in the program, I was sure that I wanted to continue working in healthcare, but at the time I thought working on the bedside part of the medical field was what I wanted to do. Now, as I have spent the past two-plus years working as a CRC, I can confidently say I want to still be involved in the medical field, but I have decided I'm better suited for clinical research. I enjoy being a part of the research that goes into studying the conditions patients have, as well as working towards creating and improving treatments our patients receive. It's a rewarding feeling to know the studies our team works on have improved the lives of patients.