Doyon receives double honors from Hospice and Palliative Care Association

Associate professor in nursing Katherine Doyon was recently named as a fellow by the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association. She also received the association's New Investigator Award.

As the leading professional organization for nurses who specialize in hospice and palliative care, these are two significant awards. They recognize Doyon's expertise, contributions to the field overall and dedication to its advancement - particularly through research.

Kate Doyon

The New Investigator Award recognizes high-quality, peer-reviewed palliative nursing research by an individual in the first five years since earning a terminal degree. Doyon earned her Ph.D in from the University of Utah in 2020.

"Receiving the New Investigator Award is incredibly meaningful to me, and I am deeply grateful for the support that made this work possible," Doyon said. "I want to thank the Boise State University School of Nursing for fostering an environment that encourages curiosity, collaboration, and growth as a scholar."

"I am especially thankful for my research assistants who somehow manage to outshine me on a regular basis and make me better every day; I truly could not do this work without their insight, talent, and dedication. This award reflects the collective effort of an exceptional team committed to advancing hospice and palliative nursing."

What sets fellows apart?

Doyon is one of only 12 nurses to be named a fellow by the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association this year.

"Being inducted as a Fellow in Hospice and Palliative Nursing is profoundly meaningful to me, as it feels like an acknowledgment of a lifetime of dedication to this work that I hold so close to my heart," Doyon said. "I receive this honor with deep humility, recognizing that it reflects not only my individual efforts, but the many patients, families, colleagues, and mentors who have shaped my journey."

According to the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association, fellows demonstrate "a profound dedication to providing comfort, dignity, and holistic care for individuals and families facing serious illnesses while fostering mentorship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and professional growth."

Doyon serves on multiple committees in the organization, as well as an active reviewer for leading palliative care journals and conferences. She is a National Institutes of Health-funded researcher, a Cambia Sojourns Fellow and the recipient of a Rita and Alex Hillman Foundation grant. She is also a member of the interdisciplinary team forming Idaho's first Clinical and Translational Research Development program.

And mentorship? It's one of Doyon's most noticeable strengths.

Elevating the next generation through mentorship

Doyon is passionate about developing future leaders in the field. She works with several emerging nurse scientists, such as Hannya Ornelas.

From left to right: Fatuma Mnongerwa, Hannya Ornelas, Nimo Adan, Sadia Abdulkadir, Fowzia Adan, Kate Doyon, Rama Deen, Mozhgan Asadi, Wahida Ivey. Photo provided by Doyon.

Ornelas is a senior nursing student and an undergraduate research assistant. When she first heard about projects in palliative and hospice nursing - which are associated with end-of-life care - Ornelas said she was "kind of taken aback".

"I was like, 'That seems a little depressing,'" she said.

But under Doyon's mentorship, Ornelas soon found it captivating.

"I feel like this research has taken me in," she said. "I was very hesitant at first to even talk about palliative and hospice care, but I think being able to do this has not only made me a better student, but also changed my perspective."

But Ornelas' perspective isn't the only one impacted by the research process.

"I am truly inspired by working with students whose passion and fresh perspectives remind me daily why this work matters and give me hope for the future of compassionate care," Doyon said.

Kate Doyon and Hannya Ornelas at a conference in Orlando, Florida, in fall 2025.

Anyone who knows Doyon knows she is an ardent supporter of her students. She is far more likely to be heard championing their successes than ever mentioning her own work - a quintessential example is Doyon's quote in the opening section, but consider her recent summary of Ornelas' research presentation at a national conference this fall:

"Our presentation was after the opening plenary and it was an hour long," Doyon said. "There were over 500 people in attendance and Hannya handled it like a pro! I can't tell you how many people came up to us after to chat about the presentation and were shocked Hannya was an undergrad - I mean an undergrad, presenting at a national conference in the time slot right after the plenary for an hour. Unheard of."

What's ahead in the future?

Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association fellows are selected not just for their current or past involvement in palliative care nursing, but also their aims for the future.

"I see this Fellowship as both an honor and a responsibility," Doyon said. "I plan to continue advancing research and implementation efforts that improve serious-illness communication, support frontline clinicians, and elevate community and patient voices to improve care for all populations. I am equally committed to mentoring the next generation of hospice and palliative nurses, fostering leadership, scholarship, and advocacy so that our field continues to grow."

Doyon's current projects focus on improving communication between patients, their families and providers during end-of-life care.

"Every one of us will face death someday, and we only get one chance to experience that time with compassion, dignity, and meaning," Doyon said. "I believe that the way we talk with each other matters just as much as the medical treatments we offer, sometimes even more, and that small, thoughtful changes in how care is delivered can make an enormous difference in how people feel during some of life's hardest moments."

Share This

• Share on Facebook
• Share on X
• Share on LinkedIn
• Share through Email