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. 

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. 

Dr. Foli will be formally honored at the 37th International Nursing Research Congress in Toronto, Ontario, Canada hosted July 16-18, 2026. In 2021, Sigma bestowed the same award on Dr. Lorraine S. Evangelista, PhD, RN, CNS, FAHA, FAAN, Tenured Associate Professor at the LHSON.

“Congratulations to Dr. Foli on this remarkable and well-deserved achievement. We are incredibly fortunate to have her as part of our LHSON community,” said Dr. Linda Plank, Dean of the LHSON.

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.