UK College of Nursing’s Dr. Okoli named to International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame
The University of Kentucky College of Nursing’s Chizimuzo “Zim” Okoli, PhD, APRN, FAAN, will be a 2022 inductee into the Sigma Theta Tau International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame. Dr. Okoli is a professor at the UK College of Nursing, director of the Behavioral Health and Wellness Environments for Living and Learning (BHWELL), and director of Behavioral Health Research and Evidence-Based Practice at Eastern State Hospital.
This prestigious honor is awarded annually to nurse researchers across the world who have achieved substantial, well-sustained national or international recognition and whose research has improved the profession of nursing and the people it serves.
“These inspiring, world-renowned nurse researchers represent the staggering, collective impact of nursing and nursing research on global healthcare,” said Sigma President Kenneth Dion, PhD, MSN, MBA, RN, FAAN. “I congratulate them on their induction into the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame, and I look forward to discovering more about their research journeys and experiences.”
With this honor, Dr. Okoli will join 238 nurse researchers from across the globe who have received this distinguished Hall of Fame designation.
“Dr. Okoli is a standout nurse leader and behavioral health researcher at the UK College Nursing and we are so proud of him for receiving this well-deserved, international recognition,” said UK College of Nursing Dean Janie Heath. “Further—and more importantly—Dr. Okoli is an outstanding, genuine and compassionate person who not only consistently lifts up his students and colleagues but strives to improve wellness efforts for people everywhere.”
Chizimuzo (Zim) Okoli received his undergraduate degrees in nursing and philosophy from the University of Kentucky. He subsequently earned a Master of Science in Public Health, Master of Science in Nursing, and in 2005, his Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing, all from UK. In 2008 he completed a Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) postdoctoral traineeship in tobacco research at the University of British Columbia. In 2010 he further completed a CIHR postdoctoral fellowship in gender, mental health and addictions through the University of British Columbia.
“I am extremely humbled and honored to join this prestigious group of nurse researchers in the Sigma Theta Tau Hall of Fame,” said Dr. Okoli. “I am passionate about advancing behavioral health nursing research, education, clinical care, and evidence-based practice programs; and I am grateful to the society for recognizing the value in this important work.”
The Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (ΣΘΤ) is the second-largest nursing organization in the world with approximately 135,000 active members and strives to develop nurse leaders anywhere to improve healthcare everywhere. 2022 marks the society’s 13th year of inducting honorees into the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame.
View the official Sigma Theta Tau press release
As Kentucky's flagship institution, the University of Kentucky College of Nursing strives to save lives, transform communities and inspire hope in people everywhere through excellence in nursing education, leadership, practice and research. The College’s DNP program is ranked fourth in the U.S. among public universities and the BSN program is ranked 20th among public schools. Further, the College has $36.2 in annual research funding and an average 98 percent NCLEX pass rate for BSN graduates.
