Celebrating Global Impact: Meet Sigma’s Hall Of Fame Nurse Researchers

Sigma Theta Tau International recently inducted 15 nurse researchers into its prestigious International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame at the 36th International Nursing Research Congress in Seattle.

These inductees—hailing from Australia, Canada, England, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the U.S.—underscore the truly global nature of nursing.

Their pioneering work spans from bedside innovations to policy change, uniting nurses worldwide in their shared mission.

As Sigma President Sandra Bibb observes, these pioneers “represent Sigma’s vision of connected, empowered nurses transforming global healthcare”—a testament to the real-world impact of their careers.

Key Impact Areas

• Global Reach: The inductees’ diverse affiliations (universities and hospitals on five continents) bring an international perspective to nursing science.
• Patient-Centred Innovations: Projects include cutting-edge interventions to reduce hospital complications in older adults (e.g., new protocols that reduce delirium and frailty risks) and breakthrough programs for chronic illnesses (advanced diabetes management and community-based HIV prevention that save lives).
• Health Equity: Many studies focus on underserved populations— from psychoeducational and AI-driven mental health programs for Chinese communities to outreach initiatives supporting marginalised groups (ethnic minorities, prisoners, travellers, etc.) in accessing care.
• From Science To Practice: These leaders don’t just publish—they create tools that revolutionise nursing practice worldwide. For instance, one inductee co-developed the widely used i-PARIHS implementation framework, empowering hospitals to translate research into everyday patient care.
• Leadership And Legacy: Each is an educator or policy influencer. As Sigma notes, the dedication and innovation of inductees are “shaping the future of healthcare worldwide.” Through mentorship, teaching, and policy advocacy, they are inspiring the next generation and strengthening global health systems.

“Your work inspires and uplifts the nursing profession and is creating a lasting impact on patient care… and many more determinants of global health,” Sigma CEO Lucas Davis praised the 2025 inductees.

These Hall of Fame honorees exemplify how nurse-led research addresses the world’s most pressing health challenges.

From improving chronic disease care and mental health support to addressing climate-related health issues, their achievements have measurable benefits for patients and communities.

Their dedication—and the broad ripple effects of their discoveries— embody the spirit of Sigma’s global nursing community.

Here’s the list of the honorees:

• Cheryl Chia-Hui Chen, DNSc, RN, GNP-BC, FAAN, Taipei, Taiwan
• Wai-Tong Chien, PhD, MPhil, PGDip(NEd), BN(Hons), RMN, FAAN, FHKAN, Hong Kong
• Vanessa Heaslip, PhD, DN, MA, BSc (Hons), RN, DipHE, Salford, England
• Alison Kitson, DPhil, BSc(Hons), RN, FRCN, FAAN, FAAHMS, Bedford Park, Adelaide, Australia
• Pamela Martyn-Nemeth, PhD, RN, Chicago, Illinois, USA
• Mercy Ngosa Mumba, PhD, RN, FAAN, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
• LaRon E. Nelson, PhD, FNP, RN, FNAP, FNYAM, FAAN, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
• Patrice K. Nicholas, DNSc, RN, DHL (Hon.), MPH, MS, FAAN, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
• Kavita Radhakrishnan, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAHA, Austin, Texas, USA
• Karen Saban, PhD, RN, Chicago, Illinois, USA
• Hudson Santos, PhD, RN, FABMR, FAAN, Coral Gables, Florida, USA
• Maria R. Shirey, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, ANEF, FACHE, FNAP, FAAN, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
• Jennifer N. Stinson, PhD, RN-EC, CPNP, FCAHS, FAAN, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Marcia L. Van Riper, PhD, RN, FAAN, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
• Kristine N. Williams, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, FGSA, FAAN, Lawrence, Kansas, USA

For a complete profile of each inductee and their work, see the original Sigma Nursing Centred story “Honouring Global Impact: Meet the 15 Nurse Researchers Inducted into Sigma’s Hall of Fame.”