Doorenbos named Outstanding Nurse Researcher from alma mater
Why Doorenbos was selected for the award
UIC College of Nursing Professor Ardith Z. Doorenbos, PhD, RN, FAAN, was selected for the inaugural Outstanding Nurse Researcher Award from her alma mater, Wayne State University College of Nursing, at its 80th Anniversary Celebration on December 4, 2025.
The new award series was created as part of Wayne State University College of Nursing’s anniversary to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of the college’s alumni and faculty.
Doorenbos, who is the Harriet H. Werley Endowed Chair for Nursing Research at UIC Nursing, was chosen from among five nominees for the honor. The award is intended for an individual who has made a significant contribution to nursing and health research or has pioneered research initiatives.
Doorenbos received her BSN from Wayne State University in 1991, and her PhD in 2002.
Doorenbos was nominated by an anonymous colleague who wrote that she “exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding nurse researcher through her pioneering contributions to symptom science, pain management and health equity.”
“Her research has advanced understanding of complex conditions such as cancer, chronic illness, and sickle cell disease, translating scientific discoveries into meaningful improvements in patient care and quality of life,” the nominator wrote.
Doorenbos received the UIC Distinguished Research Award in 2024 in the category of clinical life sciences.
With grant funding from the National Institutes of Health and other professional sources, she researches alternatives to painkillers, exploring complementary and integrative pain management methods such as acupuncture, meditation and yoga. She has applied this approach to a range of conditions, from cancer to sickle cell disease to kidney disease.
Doorenbos has a sustained record of over 300 peer-reviewed, data-based publications in nursing and multidisciplinary journals.
In 2010, she was named a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and in 2018, was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame.
Earlier this year, Doorenbos was selected for UIC Nursing’s Distinguished Mentor of the Faculty Award. Her nominator described her as “a dedicated mentor who has cultivated the next generation of nurse scientists worldwide.”