Wyatt honored by several nursing groups for research work

A Michigan State University College of Nursing professor and MSU alumna has been recognized by several leading nursing research organizations for the advancement of science in her field.

Professor Gwen Wyatt, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, has received the Distinguished Researcher Award from the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) and the 2020 Distinguished Contribution Award from the Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS). In addition, she will be named a fellow in the American Psychosocial Oncology Society in March.

The ONS award recognizes the contributions of a member who conducts or promotes research that enhances the science and practice of oncology nursing, while the MNRS honor acknowledges a member who has conducted or promoted research that has enhanced the science and practice of nursing in the Midwest.

“I am humbled and honored by these awards,” Wyatt said. “I am grateful to be honored by my peers for what that I believe is making a positive, lasting impact in cancer symptom management. Such supportive care is aimed at helping patients manage a difficult time in their life.”

Wyatt will travel this spring to Portland, Oregon for her fellowship induction, to Chicago to accept her MNRS award and to Texas to receive her ONS award. Each honor includes a presentation on her research, which focuses on supportive care through the use of complementary therapies for cancer patients, which includes reflexology and meditative practices to manage symptoms during cancer treatment. Over her career, she has also investigated the therapeutic use of acupressure for breast cancer patients suffering from chronic fatigue, yoga for women in treatment for breast cancer, therapeutic touch to decrease symptoms of cancer, and reminiscence therapy, which is a treatment that uses all the senses.

This isn’t the first time someone from MSU has been honored by these organizations: Wyatt, who earned bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. degrees from MSU, joins colleague Dr. Barbara Given, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, FAPOS, as a past recipient of these awards and honors. In addition, the college has picked up several other awards from MNRS over the years.

“We’ve long been proud to count Dr. Wyatt as one of our own,” said Dean Randolph F.R. Rasch, Ph.D., RN, FNP, FAANP. “She has, in particular, promoted research in the college and the community, and is passionate in her support of faculty and students engaged in research. This truly is a well-deserved honor for her and continues the college’s long-running tradition of excellence.”