Staff Profile: Angelica Leung Fung, CRU Clinical Coordinator
When Angelica Leung Fung, MSN, RN, CMSRN, moved to the United States, she’d never experienced the joy of a Midwest winter.
“Having lived in a country where the temperature is 75 year-round, it’s refreshing to see how Chicagoans embrace all types of weather,” says Leung Fung. “Whether it’s a cool summer day in June or a freezing cold, sunny day in mid-February, Chicagoans will always find a way to make good use of it. The optimism and progressive mindset are what keep us here.”
The “us” that is Leung Fung’s family includes her husband and 15-month-old daughter, Brooklyn. For the past 12 years she’s called Chicago home, and for the past three-and-a-half years she’s worked as a nurse at the Northwestern Memorial Hospital Clinical Research Unit (CRU). Supported by the NUCATS Institute, the CRU supports Northwestern Medicine’s research mission by providing research specific nursing and laboratory services for the implementation of clinical trials and other clinical research, increasing their availability to participants.
I get to collaborate with and learn from a diverse group of professionals, including nurses, lab technicians, study teams, and our billing team — each of whom brings years of unique experience and backgrounds to the table.”
Leung Fung began her career at Northshore Evanston Hospital as an orthopedic and neurological medical-surgical nurse. After working as an agency nurse in multiple hospitals throughout Chicagoland, she joined the CRU in July 2020 and in June 2023 she was promoted to clinical coordinator.
As a clinical coordinator, Leung Fung facilitates clinical operations, coordinating nurse staffing, patient assignments, and study visit scheduling to ensure that research activities are carried out effectively, accurately, and safely. She also oversees daily nursing operations by coordinating the work of nurses and ensuring they are equipped to provide patients with high quality care.
“One of the things that excites me the most about my job is the opportunity to work alongside incredible people every day,” she says. “I get to collaborate with and learn from a diverse group of professionals, including nurses, lab technicians, study teams, and our billing team — each of whom brings years of unique experience and backgrounds to the table. Their genuine dedication to advancing research while putting patients first is what motivates me to come to work every day.”
Last year, the CRU assisted with 253 research studies.
With a 15-month-old running around the house and keeping us on our toes, we don't have much spare time. However, when we do, we enjoy taking long walks along the lake and local parks and visiting different coffee shops.”
Leung Fung is currently involved in developing a training module for study teams who are interested in using CRU services. Working closely with the NUCATS Institute’s Center for Education and Career Development, the CRU is creating online modules to serve as an orientation to CRU services and an educational guide for future reference.
“It’s been a joy being able to collaborate with other members within NUCATS to develop a tool that will help study teams feel confident and equipped when using our services,” says Leung Fung.
Leung Fung received her Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Health Science from Wheaton College and her Master of Science in Nursing from UIC. It was at Wheaton where she met her future husband.
“Now, with a 15-month-old running around the house and keeping us on our toes, we don't have much spare time,” Leung Fung says. “However, when we do, we enjoy taking long walks along the lake and local parks and visiting different coffee shops.”
The family is also avid supporters of Tottenham Hotspur and they spend most of their weekend mornings watching English Premier League soccer games. During America’s Major League Soccer season, Leung Fung cheers for the Chicago Fire as a season-ticket holder.
Born and raised in Venezuela, Leung Fung moved to Hong Kong at age 13. With their immediate family living overseas in South Korea and Hong Kong, Leung Fung, her husband, and daughter recently visited for the first time as a family of three.
“It was such a special trip because we got to introduce our daughter to all of our immediate and extended family members,” Leung Fung says. “It was also our first time seeing most of our family since our wedding right before the pandemic, so it was a long-awaited and heartwarming reunion.”
While making the annual trip East is a renewed priority, Leung Fung is still happy to call the Windy City home.
“Chicago is a fantastic city and its accessibility by public transport to the diversity of its people and food is amazing.”
Written by Roger Anderson
