Penn Nursing's Barbara Medoff-Cooper inducted to STTI Hall of Fame

Mar 3 2016

Penn Nursing's Barbara Medoff-Cooper, PhD, RN, FAAN, Selected for Induction to the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame

Barbara Medoff-Cooper, PhD, RN, FAAN, the Ruth M. Colket Professor in Pediatric Nursing in the Department of Family and Community Health at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing (Penn Nursing) has been selected for induction to the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame by Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI).

The STTI Hall of Fame was developed to recognize nurse researchers for their lifetime achievements in and contributions to research and to mentoring future nurse researchers. Medoff-Cooper was selected for her pioneering research work in infant development, feeding behaviors in high-risk infants, and infant temperament which has had a national and international impact on the care of preterm infants.

"I feel truly honored to be selected to be a member of Sigma Theta Tau's International Honor Society," said Medoff-Cooper. "The selection by my peers for this prestigious honor is especially gratifying since STTI's mission is to advance world health and celebrate nursing excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service."

Medoff-Cooper is the developer of the Early Infancy Temperament Questionnaire which is widely used around the world. Another innovation, which she developed with a colleague at the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering, is the Neonur device, a patented feeding device used to assess newborn sucking. Medoff-Cooper's research has changed the way clinicians across all disciplines and around the world care for premature and chronically ill infants resulting in improved developmental progress and the infant's ability to feed and grow.

"The impact of Dr. Medoff-Cooper's scholarly work has been well-documented through her record of funding, her strong publication record, her global consultations and presentations, her numerous honors and awards, and, most importantly, through her dedicated mentorship," said Penn Nursing Dean Antonia M. Villarruel, PhD, RN, FAAN. "She is sought out by faculty and students from around the world for her mentorship and guidance. We congratulate her for this important milestone in her distinguished career."

Medoff-Cooper will be one among 19 STTI members who will be celebrated at the 27th International Nursing Research Congress, which will take place July 21-25, 2016 in Cape Town, South Africa.

Source: University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing