The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing proudly announces the induction of Linda Yoder, PhD, MBA, RN, AOCN-emerita, FAMSN, FAAN, Professor Emerita, into the Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame, one of the most prestigious global honors in nursing research.
This international distinction recognizes nurse researchers whose sustained bodies of work have significantly influenced nursing science, clinical practice, and health policy worldwide. The 2026 class includes 26 nurse researchers from across the globe, selected for their longstanding, measurable impact on health outcomes and the nursing profession.
Reflecting on the honor, Dr. Yoder shared, “I am deeply humbled to be inducted alongside such notable scientists…it’s a meaningful culmination of my 35-year career as a nurse scientist.”
Dr. Yoder is an internationally recognized researcher whose scholarship has focused on improving care for patients with chronic illness, veterans, and burn survivors, as well as advancing understanding of the nursing work environment, leadership, and career development. Over the course of her career, she has authored more than 100 peer reviewed publications and delivered numerous national and international presentations, with research that has directly informed clinical practice and improved patient outcomes while reducing healthcare costs.
Before joining academia, Dr. Yoder served 28 years as an officer in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps, retiring at the rank of Colonel. Her military research expertise has been influential in mentoring active duty and veteran nurse scholars, many of whom have gone on to lead nursing research and leadership initiatives within the Army Nurse Corps. Her research and mentorship efforts have been consistently supported by the TriService Nursing Research Program, and she is the only former military nurse to have received the program’s prestigious Phyllis J. Verhonick Research Award three times. With a focus on the quality of life of military cancer and burn patients, she obtained R01-level funding that provided findings to improve the care of these patients. As the inaugural Director of the Nursing Research Service at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX, she created a vibrant research community helping her team amass over $12 million in external funding in five years.
She joined the UT Austin School of Nursing in 2007 and was promoted to Professor in 2018. She played a key leadership role in graduate education, including revitalizing the Nursing Administration concentration and contributing to the development of the Leadership in Diverse Settings (LeaDS) graduate curriculum. A highly regarded educator and mentor, she chaired or served on 23 doctoral and dissertation committees and mentored students across multiple disciplines. Emphasizing the importance of this work, Dr. Yoder has noted that “growing the next generation of nurse scientists is critical to the ongoing advancement of nursing knowledge and practice,” a commitment that has defined her academic career. She has been recognized with numerous teaching and service awards, including the Janis Carelock Outstanding Teaching Award and multiple UT Austin School of Nursing Faculty Service Awards.
Dr. Yoder has also demonstrated exceptional professional service, including serving on the Board of Directors and as Past President of the Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses (2018-2020), participating on national expert panels, and contributing to state and university committees focused on workforce development, veterans’ affairs, and graduate education. A Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and a Distinguished Alumna of UT Health San Antonio, her career reflects a lifelong commitment to advancing nursing leadership, scholarship, and service.
Dr. Yoder will be formally inducted during Sigma’s 37th International Nursing Research Congress, to be held July 16–18, 2026, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Reflecting on the moment, she noted that conducting research in clinical settings “takes perseverance and dedication,” adding that she is deeply grateful to the colleagues and patients who “took this journey with me,” sentiments that reflect both the collaborative nature of her work and the lasting impact of her career.