The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International Names Dr. Betty Ferrell Recipient of Prestigious Episteme Award

INDIANAPOLIS and DEERFIELD, Ill., August 8, 2013 /3BL Media/ - The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) today named Betty Ferrell, MA, PhD, RN FAAN, FPCN, the 2013 recipient of the STTI Episteme Award supported by The Baxter International Foundation. Ferrell is a professor and research scientist at City of Hope National Medical Center in Los Angeles and a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. An oncology nurse, she has spent her entire career defining the standard for end-of-life care. As Episteme Laureate, Ferrell will be the keynote speaker at STTI’s 42nd Biennial Convention in Indianapolis, 16-20 November 2013, where she will be presented with a $15,000 award.

Ferrell has been the principal investigator of a project funded by the National Cancer Institute called “Palliative Care for Quality of Life and Symptom Concerns in Lung Cancer.” The End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) project was developed after her research findings revealed that end-of-life care was absent in nursing education curricula. As the principal investigator of ELNEC, she developed curricula in end-of-life/palliative care for undergraduate and graduate nursing programs; for oncology, pediatric, critical care, and geriatric nursing; and for veterans with life-threatening illnesses.

Ferrell’s seminal research in education and practice has fostered hundreds of nurse leaders and scholars in palliative and end-of-life care of individuals and families, satisfying the International Council of Nurses mandate that all nurses provide quality end-of-life care. Her significant research contributions to the ELNEC program have resulted in benefits for thousands of nurses, patients, and families throughout the world.

“The Baxter International Foundation is honored to fund the Episteme Award and recognize a truly groundbreaking researcher and educator, as well as an important advocate for patients and their families, Dr. Betty Ferrell,” said The Baxter International Foundation Executive Director Donna Namath. “We are committed to recognizing excellence in nursing research and practice through Sigma Theta Tau International and the organization’s international awards.”

“Dr. Ferrell is internationally renowned for changing the face of end-of-life care, and in her pursuit of that discipline she represents the technical excellence and compassion we have come to expect from our nurse leaders,” said STTI President Suzanne Prevost, PhD, RN, COI. “As the Honor Society of Nursing prepares for its 42nd Biennial Convention, I am pleased that Dr. Ferrell will have the opportunity to influence many of the exceptional nurses, researchers, and educators who make up our membership.”

For 90 years, STTI has honored the best and brightest women and men in nursing. The honor society provides its members with exclusive programs, resources, and opportunities, including international honors such as the Episteme Award.

About the Episteme Award
The Episteme Award supported by The Baxter International Foundation is bestowed to a nurse who has contributed significantly to nursing knowledge development, application, or discovery that results in a recognizable and sizable benefit to the public.

The Episteme Award and the other STTI International Awards will be presented during the 42nd Biennial Convention, 16-20 November 2013, in Indianapolis. Visit www.nursingsociety.org for event information.

About the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International
The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support the learning, knowledge and professional development of nurses committed to making a difference in health worldwide. Founded in 1922, STTI has more than 130,000 active members in more than 85 countries. Members include practicing nurses, instructors, researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs and others. STTI’s 488 chapters are located at 668 institutions of higher education throughout Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, England, Ghana, Hong Kong, Japan, Kenya, Malawi, Mexico, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Swaziland, Sweden, Taiwan, Tanzania, the United States and Wales. More information about STTI can be found online at www.nursingsociety.org.

STTI’s International Leadership Institute offers leadership programs, mentoring opportunities, and career development resources designed to enhance STTI members’ leadership skills, individual abilities, and talents. The STTI International Leadership Institute administers academies and mentoring programs in maternal child health, board leadership, geriatric nursing leadership, leadership development, and nurse faculty leadership.

About The Baxter International Foundation
The Baxter International Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX), helps organizations increase access to healthcare in the United States and around the world. The foundation, established in 1981, focuses exclusively on increasing access to healthcare particularly for the disadvantaged and underserved in communities where Baxter employees live and work. 

Baxter International Inc., through its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures and markets products that save and sustain the lives of people with hemophilia, immune disorders, infectious diseases, kidney disease, trauma, and other chronic and acute medical conditions. As a global, diversified healthcare company, Baxter applies a unique combination of expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to create products that advance patient care worldwide. For more information, please visit www.baxter.com. 

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