The Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma) announced plans to induct Linfield University’s Kim Dupree Jones into the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame at the organization’s annual congress in July 2021. Jones is one of only 20 world-renowned nurse researchers — representing Australia, Canada, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States — who will be recognized for improving the profession of nursing and the people it serves.
“These extraordinary nurse researchers embody the broad spectrum of nursing’s impact on global healthcare,” Sigma President Richard Ricciardi said. “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of them on their induction into the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame.”
Jones, professor and dean of the Linfield University-Good Samaritan School of Nursing, has been at Linfield since August 2018. Her research expertise is fibromyalgia, a chronic pain disorder that primarily affects women. She has authored more than 100 publications in this area, and her work is cited in national and international fibromyalgia treatment guidelines and texts. She has completed 60 studies in fibromyalgia to date, backed by more than $9 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health, foundations, industry and donors. Jones is the president of the Fibromyalgia Information Foundation, a non-profit organization whose aim for the past three decades has been to disseminate scientifically-sound fibromyalgia data.
Previously, Jones served as professor of nursing and medicine at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and held faculty positions at University of Arizona at Tucson, the National College of Natural Medicine, Morehouse and Spellman colleges and Georgia State University. She earned her Ph.D. in nursing and post-doctoral degree in neuroendocrine physiology from OHSU, a Master of Nursing from Emory University and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Tennessee.
Additionally, Jones has been a family nurse practitioner, most recently in the rheumatology clinic at OHSU and The Frida Center for Fibromyalgia. She has served as a family nurse practitioner at the Centers for Disease Control, the Gwinnett County Detention Center, Ciba Vision, Planned Parenthood and Southside Health Care, among others.
“It is an honor for my work to be recognized by an organization whose name means love, courage and honor. These are the guiding principles of my career,” Jones said. “Sigma International Honor Society is among the most prestigious nursing organizations in the world, with members from more than 100 countries. I look forward to continuing to work closely to support Sigma’s prioritizes: excellence in research, scholarship, practice and policy to optimize human health across the globe.”
Linfield President Miles K. Davis said Jones is a shining example of the type of scholarship, service and classroom teaching that exemplifies university faculty members.
“I’m proud to work alongside Dean Jones every day in an effort to improve the lives of our students, even as she’s working hard to improve the lives of so many others,” Davis said. “Linfield salutes her and thanks her for all she continues to do to make the world a better place.”
