Dr. Karen J. Foli Awarded Sigma 2026 International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame
The Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing (LHSON) congratulates Dr. Karen J. Foli, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN, Louise Herrington Endowed Chair for Mental Health Nursing and Tenured Professor at the LHSON, on being selected as one of 26 nurse researchers inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society (Sigma) International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame.
“Congratulations to Dr. Foli on this remarkable and well-deserved achievement. We are incredibly fortunate to have her as part of our distinguished LHSON faculty,” said Dr. Tanya Sudia, PhD, RN, FNAP, FAAN, Dean and Professor of the LHSON.
Dr. Foli was honored at the 37th International Nursing Research Congress in Toronto, Canada on July 18, 2026. In 2021, Sigma bestowed the same award on Dr. Lorraine S. Evangelista, PhD, RN, CNS, FAHA, FAAN, Tenured Associate Professor at the LHSON.
“I'm thrilled to receive this recognition! Being inducted into the Sigma International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame reflects many years of hard work and passion,” said Dr. Foli. “I practice nursing through mentorship, scholarship, and dissemination of novel findings that improve the lives of people and society. Being honored for practicing nursing as a researcher is humbling and incredibly meaningful. I'm especially grateful to the Louise Herrington School of Nursing and Baylor University.”
Dr. Foli is internationally recognized for her groundbreaking work in mental health, particularly her scholarship on parental mental health, psychological trauma, and the lived experiences of vulnerable populations. Her program of research has not only advanced scientific understanding but has also shaped clinical approaches and informed compassionate, patient-centered care. In addition to her prolific scholarship, Dr. Foli is a respected educator, mentor, and leader whose contributions have elevated the visibility and impact of nursing research both nationally and globally.
Notably, these revered global nurse leaders represent Australia, Canada, Ireland, Israel, Italy, South Korea, Taiwan and the United States. This prestigious recognition honors nurse researchers whose sustained research programs have had a significant and enduring impact on clinical practice, policy, and the advancement of nursing science globally.