Release date: May 10, 2005
Contact: Beverly Cox Clark, Assistant Director, University Media Relations,
at 404-712-8780 or beverly.clark@emory.edu

Nursing Scholar Hegyvary to Receive Honorary Degree from Emory May 16

Emory University alumna and nursing scholar Sue T. Hegyvary will receive an honorary doctor of science degree during Emory's 160th commencement Monday, May 16. Hegyvary will join four other honorary degree recipients this year: renowned journalist and author Tom Brokaw, who will deliver the keynote address; Atlanta developer Tom Cousins; former Emory Law School Dean Ben F. Johnson Jr.; and Oxford University administrator Robin Butler.

Hegyvary is professor and dean emeritus of the University of Washington School of Nursing in Seattle, and the editor of the Journal of Nursing Scholarship. Hegyvary, a 1966 master's graduate of Emory's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, has combined her clinical expertise with her teaching experience throughout her career to advance the science of medical-surgical nursing through research and practice.

A nationally and internationally recognized nursing scholar, educator and practitioner, Hegyvary has assisted the development of practice-based investigation in many other nations, including service as a faculty member for the American International Health Alliance in Uzbekistan and St. Petersburg, Russia.

Hegyvary's research interests include nursing and health care systems, the quality of nursing care and international health. Most recently she studied the determinants of health in 191 countries, focusing on life expectancy and child mortality. From this study she has developed an explanatory model with three types of determinants of health outcomes: resources, empowerment and demography.

Hegyvary holds a doctorate in sociology from Vanderbilt University and also served 14 years as associate vice president and associate dean at Rush University School of Nursing in Chicago. She is the author or coauthor of more than 90 journal publications, including articles, book chapters, books, monographs and reviews. Colleagues recognized her efforts by electing her one of the first members of the American Academy of Nursing.

She has remained involved with Emory, most recently giving the Hugh P. Davis lecture this past March, and as a member of the Board of 50 Visiting Committee for the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.

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