Sigma celebrates 2026 International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame Inductees

Twenty-six nurse researchers join the ranks of the profession's most transformative voices

INDIANAPOLIS — Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma) is pleased to announce that 26 exceptional nurse researchers have been inducted into the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame. These distinguished leaders—representing Australia, Canada, Ireland, Israel, Italy, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States—have achieved significant, sustained national or international recognition for their research. All 26 honorees are listed at the end of the release.

This year marks the 17th presentation of this prestigious honor. The 2026 inductees join more than 300 of the most distinguished nurse researchers globally, whose work has left a lasting mark on the science, practice, and policy of nursing for generations to come.

“This year’s honorees represent the best of what nursing research can achieve,” said Lucas M. Davis, MEd, CAE, Sigma’s Chief Executive Officer. “Their scholarship has elevated the profession and connected communities locally and globally. We are proud to have them as part of the Sigma community.” 

Sigma will honor inductees during the 37th International Nursing Research Congress in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, from 16-18 July, where attendees will have the opportunity to connect and be inspired by the honorees. Wiley continues its generous sponsorship of the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame presentation. Their longstanding commitment to advancing nursing knowledge makes celebrations like this possible. 

“The 2026 International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame inductees have amplified our collective voice through research that reaches policymakers, transforms clinical practice, and improves lives around the globe. Their impact is proof that when nurses lead together, the whole world benefits,” said Sigma President Liz Westcott, DCM, MSc, DipMan, RGN, FFNMRCSI.

2026 International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame Inductees:

Anne W. Alexandrov, PhD, AGACNP-BC, CNS, NVRN-BC, ANVP-BC, ASC-BC, CCRN, FAAN
Professor of Nursing and Professor of Neurology
University of Tennessee Health Science Center at Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee, USA

Edwin N. Aroke, PhD, CRNA, FADLN, FAANA, FAAN
Professor/Interim Assistant Dean for Research & Scholarship
University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing
Birmingham, Alabama, USA

Annamaria Bagnasco, PhD, MEDSc, MSN, RN
Professor
Department of Health Sciences University of Genoa
Genova, Italy

Ashley Leak Bryant, PhD, RN, OCN, FAAN
Senior Associate Dean for Strategy and Global Affairs and Frances Hill Fox Distinguished Term Professor
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Nursing
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA

Li-Yin Chien, ScD, MPH, RN, FAAN
Dean and Distinguished Professor
Institute of Community Health Care, College of Nursing, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
Taipei, Taiwan

Hsiao-Yean Chiu, PhD, RN
Professor, Director, and Vice Dean for International Relations
School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University
Taipei, Taiwan

Yvonne Commodore-Mensah, PhD, MHS, RN, FAAN, FPCNA, FAHA
Tenured Professor and Associate Dean for Research
Johns Hopkins School of Nursing
Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Verna L. Hendricks-Ferguson, PhD, RN, FPCN, FAAN
Irene Riddle Endowed Chair, Professor, and Research Institute Fellow at Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, Missouri, USA

Judith Finn, PhD, MEdSt, GradDipPH, BSc, DipAppSc, RN, RM, ICCert, FACN, FAHA, ERC(Hon.)
Professor
Prehospital, Resuscitation & Emergency Care Research Unit, Curtin School of Nursing, Curtin University
Bentley, Western Australia, Australia

Karen J. Foli, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN
Professor and Louise Herrington Endowed Chair for Mental Health Nursing
Louise Herrington School of Nursing, Baylor University
Dallas, Texas, USA

JinShil Kim, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAHA
Professor
Gachon University College of Nursing
Incheon, South Korea

Geraldine Lee, PhD, FESC, BSc
Professor of Nursing and Chair of Health Services Research
University College Cork
Cork, Ireland

Jiying Ling, PhD, MS, RN, FAAN
MSU Research Foundation Distinguished Professor
Michigan State University College of Nursing
East Lansing, Michigan, USA

Ashley Darcy Mahoney, PhD, NNP, FAAN
Professor and Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
The George Washington University School of Nursing
Washington, DC, USA

Eugenia Flores Millender, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FAAN, FAANP
Marie Cowart Endowed Professor, Assistant Dean for Research, and Co-Founder & Co-Director, Center of Population Sciences for Health Empowerment 
Florida State University, College of Nursing
Tallahassee, Florida, USA

Wendy R. Trueblood Miller, PhD, RN, CNS, FAAN, FAES
Professor and Sally Reahard Endowed Chair and Executive Associate Dean of Research
Indiana University School of Nursing
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

Sandra A. Mitchell, PhD, ACNP-BC, AOCN, FAAN
Senior Scientist and Program Director
National Cancer Institute
Rockville, Maryland, USA

Vinciya Pandian, PhD, MBA, MSN, RN, ACNP-BC, FCCM, FAANP, FAAN, FFNRMRCSI
Associate Dean of Graduate Education; Professor of Nursing, Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery
Ross and Nese College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, Pennsylvania, USA

Yeon-Hwan Park, PhD, RN
Professor
Seoul National University, College of Nursing
Seoul, South Korea

Martine Puts, PhD, RN, FCAN, FAAN
Professor
Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Sarah Collins Rossetti, PhD, BSN, RN, FAMIA, FACMI, FAAN, FIAHSI
Associate Professor of Biomedical Informatics and Nursing
Columbia University School of Nursing
New York, New York, USA

Leorey Saligan, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, FAAN
Professor
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey School of Nursing
Newark, New Jersey, USA

Lixin Song, PhD, RN, FAAN
Professor and Vice Dean of Research and Scholarship
University of Texas at San Antonio School of Nursing
San Antonio, Texas, USA

Maxim Topaz, PhD, RN, MA, FACMI, FIAHSI, FAAN
Elizabeth Standish Gill Associate Professor
Columbia University School of Nursing; VNS Health
New York, New York, USA

Linda H. Yoder, PhD, MBA, RN, AOCN-emerita, FAMSN, FAAN
Professor-Emerita
The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing
Austin, Texas, USA

Anna Zisberg, PhD, RN, FAAN, FGSA
Professor
The Cheryl Spencer Department of Nursing, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Science University of Haifa
Haifa, Israel

Established in 2010, the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame recognizes nurse researchers whose sustained programs of research have delivered measurable impact from transforming clinical practice and shaping health policy, to pioneering new methods that push the boundaries of nursing science.

To learn more or to register for the 37th International Nursing Research Congress, visit SigmaNursing.org/Congress. 

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About Sigma Nursing The Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma) is a nonprofit organization with the mission of developing nurse leaders anywhere to improve healthcare everywhere. Founded in 1922, Sigma has more than 100,000 active members and 600 chapters at institutions of higher education and healthcare partners from Armenia, Australia, and Botswana to Thailand, the United States, and Wales. Sigma members include clinical nurses and administrators, academic nurse educators and researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and others working to fulfill the organization’s vision of connected, empowered nurse leaders transforming global healthcare. Learn more at SigmaNursing.org.