Memorial Tribute for Dr. Miyong Kim > Announcements

Memorial Tribute for Dr. Miyong Kim

I attended a memorial service for Dr. Miyong Kim on November 16 at a church in Austin. While I was deeply saddened by her passing, I felt profoundly honored to commemorate her life alongside many esteemed nursing scholars. Listening to others share their heartfelt and beautiful stories about Dr. Kim, I gained an even greater appreciation for the remarkable life she led, and I felt immense pride in all that she accomplished. During the service, I had the privilege of delivering a memorial speech, and I would like to take this opportunity to share her incredible legacy with GKNF members through this newsletter.

Dr. Kim was a pioneering nursing scholar, translational researcher, and compassionate mentor whose extraordinary career seamlessly blended academic excellence with a deep commitment to equity, community health, and global collaboration. Dr. Kim earned her Ph.D. from the University of Arizona. She rose to prominence at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, where she was promoted to full professor in 2007. A fellow of the American Heart Association and the American Academy of Nursing, she was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame in 2012. She became the La Quinta Centennial Endowed Professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Texas at Austin and the inaugural Associate Vice President for Community Health Engagement in 2013. 

Dr. Kim’s research, rooted in community-based participatory research, focused on addressing cardiovascular health disparities among ethnic minority populations. She demonstrated the effectiveness of self-care strategies in improving health outcomes. Over her prolific career, Dr. Kim served as the principal investigator for more than 40 externally funded studies, authored over 100 publications in scientific journals, and mentored countless scholars and students. 

Dr. Kim is one of the board members of the Global Korean Nursing Foundation. She played a pivotal role in its expansion and dedicated herself to mentoring Korean nursing scholars and students, inspiring them to pursue excellence in nursing science and practice. 

Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Kim was known for her vibrant spirit and playful curiosity, exemplified by her love of Pokémon Go, which brought her joy and fostered connections with others. Her legacy as a researcher, mentor, and role model will continue to influence the field of nursing and public health, ensuring that future generations are equipped to provide high- quality, equitable care to diverse and underserved populations worldwide. As we reflect on her remarkable contributions, let us honor her memory by carrying forward her mission to build a healthier, more equitable world. 

Mikyoung Angela Lee, PhD, RN 

Professor & Doswell Endowed Chair for Informatics and Healthcare Transformation 

Texas Woman's University College of Nursing 

Former General Secretary of GKNF