Nursing Professor Honored With Distinguished Researcher Award

09/30/2022

Verna Hendricks-Ferguson, Ph.D., the Irene Riddle Endowed Chair at the Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing, was honored with the 2022 Distinguished Researcher Award by the Association of Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurses (APHON).

The award was presented at the 46th Annual APHON Conference at the Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach Florida on Friday, Sept. 16.

Verna Hendricks-Ferguson, Ph.D., the Irene Riddle Endowed Chair at the Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing, was honored with the 2022 Distinguished Researcher Award by the Association of Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurses (APHON). Submitted Photo.

The Distinguished Research Award is selected annually by the APHON Evidence-Based Practice/Research Committee and presented at the annual conference. The award was created to recognize an APHON member who has excelled as a nurse scientist with research funding (e.g., R-01 level from NIH).

Her award letters of support reported that Hendricks-Ferguson has an impressive list of data-based published articles focused on pediatric oncology patients and her publications have been frequently cited by other investigators. Her award letters of recommendation described the numerous organizations she has also participated in and her “continued passion and commitment to contribute to the science of pediatric palliative care/end-of-life care for children with cancer and their parents.”

She was cited for her sustained contributions in generating and disseminating palliative and end-of-life focused-research findings have contributed to being honored with several nursing honors. Among those awards and honors are receiving the 2018 Inaugural Distinguished Nurse Scientist Award by the Midwest Nursing Research Society’s Palliative and End of Life Care Research Interest Group and 2019 Legend in Nursing Award’ by the Missouri March of Dimes Chapter in St. Louis.
The recipient of this award receives a $250 honorarium, recognition at the annual conference and in APHON Counts, the organization’s quarterly newsletter.

Candidates for the Distinguished Researcher Award must meet the following criteria:
APHON member in good standing.
A sustained program of substantive research that has made a significant contribution to the scientific foundation for pediatric hematology/oncology nursing and advanced the care of children with cancer and/or hematological disorders and their families.
Consistent dissemination of research findings as peer-reviewed journal articles and presentations at regional and national venues.
Scientific career advancement culminating in substantial funding support (i.e., R-01 level from NIH or major foundation) as a principal investigator.
Mentorship of an emerging scientist(s) with independent or related programs of research.
Contributions to APHON and other organizations with a mission to provide optimal care for children with cancer and/or hematological disorders and their families.