May 2, 2011
Kenan Professor of Nursing Dr. Merle Mishel will be inducted into the 2011 Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame recognizes scholars and leaders whose funded program of research has had a long-term impact on the profession and patient/family outcomes. The nomination recognized Dr. Mishel’s more than 20 years of federally funded research and her development of the theory of uncertainty in illness. Dr. Mishel says she is pleased that this award recognizes the importance of nursing research and is honored to have an international organization recognize her work as meaningful.
The scales she developed to help investigators measure uncertainty in illness are used in 30 countries and have been translated into many languages. Dr. Mishel will be inducted into the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame at STTI’s 22nd International Nursing Research Congress in Cancun, Mexico, in July.
In addition, Dr. Mishel was appointed as a permanent member of the Nursing and Related Clinical Sciences Study Section, Center for Scientific Review, National Institutes of Health (NIH). Her term extends from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2015. This new Study Section reviews funding applications that address the science that underpins clinical practice and is concerned with preventing, delaying the onset, and slowing the progression of disease and disability. It includes nursing as well as other clinical science disciplines such as medicine, social work, psychology, health education, dentistry, and pharmacy.
Members of the study section were selected on the basis of their achievements in their scientific discipline as evidenced by the quality of research accomplishments, publications in scientific journals, and other significant scientific activities and honors. Dr. Mishel says that she looks forward to the sharing of ideas that occurs during evaluation of proposals and being aware of the new techniques included in study designs.