The Epsilon Phi Chapter of SIGMA has named their annual scholarship in memory of the late Dr. Linda Garand.

Linda Garand, PhD, RN, GCNS-BC, Associate Professor in the School of Nursing, passed away on March 18, 2023. Dr. Garand was extensively involved in the Epsilon Phi Chapter of SIGMA, and oversaw the annual scholarship committed to fostering research studies and evidence-based clinical projects to advance the contributions of nurses to the health of individuals, families and communities. Since Dr. Garand’s life’s work focused on the same advancement of nurses’ research endeavors, the chapter has renamed the annual award in her honor. 

According to current SIGMA President, Kaylee Lewis, “Dr. Garand was our current scholarship chair and worked hard last year to draft the new version of this scholarship application and review applications. She was a tremendous mentor to our chapter by way of publication, research and scholarship. We changed the scholarship name to honor her after her passing earlier this year. She is and will continue to be missed dearly by Epsilon Phi.”

Dr. Garand’s Legacy

Dr. Garand obtained a PhD in Nursing from the University of Iowa and completed a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Geriatric Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Garand achieved significant national recognition for her contributions to the field of geropsychiatric nursing. She published extensively and presented her work at scientific meetings and global consortiums. Peer and student evaluations of her teaching effectiveness were consistently excellent; she will be remembered for her kindness, love of nursing science and sense of humor.

Dr. Garand ‘s research focused on preserving the mental health and well-being of family caregivers of persons with cognitive impairment (e.g. Alzheimers Disease, mild cognitive impairment and traumatic brain injury). With support from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIHM), she characterized the nature and level of psychiatric morbidity and burden among spouses of individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI, a precursor to some forms of dementia), and then she conducted a randomized clinical trial (RCT) of a preventive, problem-solving training (PST)-based mental health intervention with family caregivers of persons with MCI or early dementia. Relative to a comparison intervention, caregivers that received the PST intervention endorsed significantly lower burden and depression levels over one year of follow-up.

Dr. Garand was also awarded a U.S. Department of Defense Peer reviewed Alzheimer's Research Program Award from the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs.

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Published

June 27, 2023

The Dr. Linda Garand Annual SIGMA Scholarship Awards

The Epsilon Phi Chapter of SIGMA is committed to fostering research studies and evidence-based clinical projects to advance the contributions of nurses to the health of individuals, families, and communities. Toward that end, the Epsilon Phi Chapter is offering two monetary Awards of $1,500 this year. The Award is intended to support the membership’s scholarly work. The Award will be presented to two members meeting the eligibility criteria and submitting a complete application.

Scholarship Award Eligibility Criteria

  1. Active membership in the Epsilon Phi Chapter of SIGMA (formerly known as Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing).
  2. Student applicants must be enrolled in a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program of study/project.
  3. General Member applications must a PhD-level study or DNP-level project.
  4. Scholarship Award Applications are due on or before July 15th (11:59pm EST).

Description of Scholarly Work

  1. The proposed PhD-level study or DNP-level project (study/project) is clearly articulated and explores health-related questions (e.g., health outcomes, health care delivery, health care ethics, health policy).
  2. The qualifications of the Principle Investigator (PI) and the strength of the study/project approach (how the question will be answered; the study/project sample, design, procedures, analysis and dissemination plan).
  3. The feasibility of the study/project timetable and execution plan (e.g., can recruit and retain study/project participants, organizational-level cooperation).
  4. The study/project findings will contribute to scientific knowledge or clinical practice (e.g., the study/project has merit).
  5. The budget justification contains detail and is appropriate.

Download the Scholarship Award Application Directions
Photo of the late Dr. Linda Garand

2023-2024 Applications

The Epsilon Phi Chapter is now accepting applications for the 2023-2024 Dr. Linda Garand Annual SIGMA Scholarship Awards. The application due date is before midnight (EST) on July 15, 2023.

Online Application