International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses

What International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses does

The International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses (IOMSN) is a nonprofit professional membership organization founded on May 30, 1997, and headquartered in Hackensack, New Jersey. It is the first and only international organization dedicated exclusively to the professional needs of nurses involved in multiple sclerosis care, education, research, and advocacy. IOMSN serves registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and allied healthcare professionals across at least 12 countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, and the Netherlands, with structured national representation on its board from MSNA (Australia) and UKMSSNA (United Kingdom).

IOMSN's core offerings are organized around four pillars: (1) professional certification, administered through the closely affiliated Multiple Sclerosis Nurses International Certification Board (MSNICB) which issues the MS Certified Nurse (MSCN) credential; (2) educational programming including monthly town hall discussions, continuing education webinars, the Florence Nightingale Nurse Immersion Program (developed with Stony Brook University College of Nursing), and co-located programming at CMSC and ECTRIMS conferences; (3) recognition programs including the Nightingale Awards (supported by EMD Serono/Merck KGaA), June Halper Award, Linda Morgante Hope Award, International MS Nurse Leadership Award, Research Award, Thumbs Up Award, and LiveWiseMS Award; and (4) content assets including the IOMSNews newsletter, peer-reviewed publications via the International Journal of MS Care, clinical practice guidelines, clinical pearls, scholarships, research grants, a Speakers' Bureau, and the patient-facing LiveWiseMS.org portal. The organization also participates in the Multiple Sclerosis Emerging Therapies Collaborative alongside the American Academy of Neurology, VA MS Centers of Excellence, and other MS Coalition member organizations.

The business model is a nonprofit membership subscription model with diversified revenue streams: annual membership dues from individual nurses, educational program and event revenue, and pharmaceutical industry grants (principally from EMD Serono/Merck KGaA, with Biogen and Novartis also referenced). Leadership is integrated with two other MS-focused organizations through shared CEO Kathleen Costello, who concurrently serves as CEO of IOMSN, the Consortium of MS Centers (CMSC), and MSNICB. The organization is governed by an elected board of practicing MS clinicians and is operationally supported by 11-50 staff. Pricing is not publicly disclosed, and no revenue figures, membership counts, or financial statements beyond Form 990 availability are referenced in the source materials.

Name

International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses

Legal name

International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses

Website

https://iomsn.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses (IOMSN) is a nonprofit professional membership organization founded in 1997 that serves MS-specialized nurses across at least 12 countries through certification, education, research grants, and recognition programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Hackensack

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees for nurses and healthcare professionals involved in MS care, providing access to resources, certification, and networking opportunities
2. Educational Programs and Events: Revenue from annual meetings, webinars, town hall discussions, and continuing education programs for MS nursing professionals

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

IOMSN is a nonprofit professional membership association that supports nurses specializing in multiple sclerosis care through annual membership, continuing education (webinars, Town Hall discussions, the Florence Nightingale Nurse Immersion Program), MSCN certification liaison support, clinical practice guidelines and a resource library, research grants and scholarships, an awards and recognition program, and a publication initiative. Members and the broader MS community also access the patient-focused LiveWiseMS.org portal and the MS Emerging Therapies Collaborative resources.

Product overview

IOMSN offers a membership-based professional organization serving MS nurses globally. The core offering includes membership access, research and scholarship programs, publication initiatives, and an awards program (Nightingale Awards, June Halper Award, Linda Morgante Hope Award). Educational offerings encompass Town Hall Discussions, Webinar Series, and the Florence Nightingale Nurse Immersion Program. Resource offerings include a Resource Library, Clinical Practice Guidelines, Clinical Pearls, and the IOMSNews newsletter. The organization also maintains the patient-focused LiveWiseMS.org portal and participates in the Multiple Sclerosis Emerging Therapies Collaborative. The portfolio is structured as a service-based membership organization with programs, resources, and recognition initiatives rather than a technology product platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LiveWiseMS: Patient-focused wellness program and award for MS wellness
• Nightingale Awards
• June Halper Award
• Linda Morgante Hope Award
• International MS Nurse Leadership Award
• Research Award
• Thumbs Up Award
• Florence Nightingale Nurse Immersion Program

Products and services

• IOMSN Membership Annual professional membership program for nurses and nurse practitioners involved in multiple sclerosis care, education, research, and advocacy, providing access to clinical resources, continuing education, networking, regional liaisons, and the IOMSNews newsletter.
• MSCN Certification (MS Certified Nurse) Support Liaison and member-benefit support for the Multiple Sclerosis Nurses International Certification Board (MSNICB) MS Certified Nurse credential, the primary professional certification for MS nurses, administered through the partner organization MSNICB at msnicb.org.
• Town Hall Discussions Monthly telephone and web discussion series led by IOMSN members covering MS topics including emerging therapies, symptom management, and practice issues, offered to MS nursing professionals.
• Webinar Series Continuing education webinars for MS nursing professionals covering disease management, symptomatic care, and wellness topics.
• Florence Nightingale Nurse Immersion Program Intensive training program for nurses entering the MS field, supported by EMD Serono (Merck KGaA) and delivered with the Stony Brook University College of Nursing, providing specialized MS training in immersion cohorts.
• Research Program and Research Grants Program supporting MS nursing research activities and providing research grants to advance the field of multiple sclerosis nursing, overseen by the IOMSN Research Committee.
• IOMSN Scholarships Educational scholarship program for nurses pursuing MS nursing specialization and professional development.
• Publication Initiative Publishing program supporting nurses to contribute to MS nursing literature and share knowledge through scholarly works and journal publications.
• Nightingale Awards Annual awards program recognizing outstanding MS nursing professionals for significant accomplishments in MS nursing, with international and US recipient categories, supported by EMD Serono and Merck KGaA.
• Multiple Sclerosis Emerging Therapies Collaborative Evidence-based resource dissemination initiative developed in partnership with the MS Coalition, American Academy of Neurology, and VA MS Centers of Excellence, providing resources on newly-approved MS treatments for patients and healthcare professionals.
• LiveWiseMS.org Patient Wellness Portal Patient-focused website providing MS wellness information and resources for people living with multiple sclerosis, operated by IOMSN.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Consortium of MS Centers (CMSC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMSC and IOMSN share leadership (CEO Kathleen Costello serves as CEO for both organizations). Joint conference activities, nursing roundtable discussions, and collaborative educational programs. CMSC is a key platform for IOMSN member engagement and annual meetings.
• Multiple Sclerosis Nurses International Certification Board (MSNICB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSNICB administers the MS Certified Nurse (MSCN) certification. IOMSN serves as liaison and has board representation. Certification is a key member benefit and professional credential for MS nurses.
• Multiple Sclerosis CoalitionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIOMSN is a member of the MS Coalition, a collaborative network of independent MS organizations. Joint initiatives include the Multiple Sclerosis Emerging Therapies Collaborative for evidence-based resource dissemination.
• EMD Serono (Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerEMD Serono supports IOMSN Nightingale Awards and Florence Nightingale Nurse Immersion Program through educational grants. Sponsorship of MS nursing education and recognition programs.
• Can Do Multiple SclerosisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit organization providing lifestyle empowerment programs. Partnership through shared CEO (Kathleen Costello serves as Concept and Strategy Lead) and collaborative educational initiatives.
• VA Multiple Sclerosis Centers of ExcellenceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through the Multiple Sclerosis Emerging Therapies Collaborative. VA Centers serve approximately 40,000 Veterans with MS and participate in evidence-based resource development.
• American Academy of NeurologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Multiple Sclerosis Emerging Therapies Collaborative, contributing to evidence-based resource dissemination for MS treatment and care.
• National Multiple Sclerosis SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the MS Coalition. Collaborative initiatives including professional education, MS center recognition programs, and community advocacy efforts.
• International Journal of MS CareminorOthersOfficial journal of IOMSN and CMSC, providing peer-reviewed publications for MS nursing research and clinical practice.
• MSAA (Multiple Sclerosis Association of America)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember of MS Coalition. Collaborative patient support resources including helpline services and MRI access programs referenced on IOMSN website.
• Multiple Sclerosis FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember of MS Coalition providing nationally accessible programs and services to those affected by MS.
• Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple SclerosisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember of MS Coalition, focused on curing MS through repository samples and data for researchers.
• United Spinal AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember of MS Coalition advocating for people with spinal cord injuries and disorders, including members with MS.
• European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIOMSN members present at ECTRIMS conferences. First MS Nurse Workshops were held as part of official ECTRIMS programme in 2017.
• MS Nurse PROfessionalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOnline European MS Nurse educational programme translated in 11 languages, free to use with accreditation from each country. IOMSN supports and promotes this training.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• American Nurses Association (ANA): ANA is the broad incumbent US professional association for all registered nurses. While IOMSN focuses on MS specialty nursing, ANA is the parent professional body whose members IOMSN nurses also belong to, making it a relevant structural comparator.
• National Multiple Sclerosis Society: The National MS Society is a much larger, US-focused MS organization with a broad mission spanning research funding, advocacy, and patient support. It is a broad incumbent peer in the MS nonprofit space and a coalition partner of IOMSN.

Direct peers

• American Association of Neuroscience Nurses (AANN): AANN is a professional nursing association for neuroscience nurses with a similar membership, certification (CNRN), and educational programming model. While broader in neurology scope, it is a direct structural peer to IOMSN in the specialty nursing association category.
• Multiple Sclerosis Nurses International Certification Board (MSNICB): MSNICB administers the MSCN certification through IOMSN's liaison relationship and shares board representation. It is the credentialing body tightly intertwined with IOMSN's value proposition for nurse members.
• Oncology Nursing Society (ONS): ONS is a leading specialty nursing organization with a similar structure: membership dues, certification programs, annual conferences, and pharma-supported educational grants. It is the benchmark specialty nursing society model against which IOMSN can be compared.
• Multiple Sclerosis Coalition: The MS Coalition is the collaborative network of MS organizations of which IOMSN is a member, co-leading the Emerging Therapies Collaborative. It is a direct peer in the MS nonprofit ecosystem focused on patient and provider education.
• Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC): CMSC is the sister organization sharing the same CEO and collaborating on annual conferences, nursing roundtables, and educational programs. It serves MS healthcare professionals broadly while IOMSN focuses specifically on nurses, making them the most direct operational peer.

Regional players

• Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA): MSAA is a US-focused MS patient services organization that is a coalition partner of IOMSN. It operates a helpline and MRI access programs and is a regional peer in the patient-facing MS support space.

Others

• American Academy of Neurology (AAN): AAN is the leading US professional society for neurologists and a partner in the Multiple Sclerosis Emerging Therapies Collaborative. It is a broader physician-focused peer that IOMSN engages with on interdisciplinary MS education.
• European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS): ECTRIMS is the leading European MS research and clinical congress, with which IOMSN partners on MS Nurse Workshops. It is an adjacent scientific society rather than a direct nursing peer, but a key ecosystem collaborator.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/iamiomsn
• Facebookfacebook.com/iamIOMSN
• Instagraminstagram.com/iomsn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-organization-of-ms-nurses

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses