INDIANAPOLIS — Tonda L. Hughes, PhD, RN, FAAN, a pioneering nurse scientist at Columbia School of Nursing, has been named the inaugural recipient of the Sigma/DAISY Nurse Scientist Leadership Award, recognizing her nearly 30-year career advancing
research, compassionate care, and leadership in nursing. Presented by Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma) and The DAISY Foundation, this award recognizes a licensed registered nurse who has demonstrated excellence in research,
compassionate care, and leadership.
Dr. Hughes’ groundbreaking work has transformed the understanding of health equity for marginalized populations, particularly through her studies on hazardous drinking among sexual minority women. Funded continuously by the National Institutes of
Health since 1999, her research represents the longest-running longitudinal study of its kind. She has authored more than 300 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and policy briefs, and is widely recognized for her commitment to mentoring the next
generation of nurse scientists.
“This award honors nurse scientists whose work advances both the science and the heart of nursing,” said CEO of The DAISY Foundation Deb Zimmermann, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN. “Dr. Tonda Hughes has built a body of research
that has transformed the understanding of health equity for marginalized populations, while advocating for care that is inclusive, compassionate, and grounded in evidence. Her global influence and unwavering commitment to mentorship and leadership
make her an exceptional and deserving honoree.”
"Recognizing Dr. Hughes with this inaugural honor is both a celebration of her remarkable career and a statement about the future of nursing science. She has shown what it means to build evidence that serves the most vulnerable, and her legacy will shape
the next generation of nurse researchers for decades to come," said Sigma President Liz Westcott, DCM, MSc, DipMan, RGN, FFNMRCSI.
“Partnering with The DAISY Foundation to create this award reflects our shared belief that nursing science and compassionate care are inseparable,” said Sigma CEO Lucas M. Davis, MEd, CAE. “Dr. Hughes is exactly the
kind of honoree this award was created for—a researcher, advocate, and mentor whose influence stretches from the bedside to policy.”
Dr. Hughes will be formally recognized at Sigma’s 37th International Nursing Research Congress in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in July. Learn more and register for Congress at SigmaNursing.org/Congress.
###
About The DAISY Foundation
The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic
Purpura (ITP), a little-known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.) The care Patrick and his family received from Nurses while he was ill inspired the creation of The DAISY Award®
for Extraordinary Nurses, an evidenced-based means of providing Nurse recognition and thanking Nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families. In addition to the DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Nurses,
the Foundation expresses gratitude to the nursing profession internationally in over 7,000 healthcare facilities and schools of nursing with recognition programs for nurses wherever they practice, in whatever role they serve, and throughout their
careers – from nursing student through lifetime achievement, and through several lines of research grant and evidence-based practice projects funding. More information is available at https://DAISYfoundation.org.
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.