In Memoriam

Hong Li, nursing professor, dies

ong Li, the Loretta C. Ford Professor of Nursing and associate professor of nursing, died on Sunday, October 15, at age 47 from cancer. In her eight years at the School of Nursing, Li was known as a respected teacher and nationally recognized researcher in the field of family care for frail older adults. She received a number of research awards and honors, including the highly competitive James G. Zimmer New Investigator Award from the American Public Health Association and, most recently, the Distinguished Nurse Researcher Award from the Foundation of the New York State Nurses Association.

Li is remembered for the international scope of her research. A 1978 nursing graduate from Beijing Medical University, Li went on to earn B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees from Oregon Health and Science University.

Li completed her postdoctoral work at Oregon and joined the School of Nursing faculty in 1998, where she came full circle with research projects that brought her geriatric nursing research expertise back to her homeland. Within this cross-cultural context and in collaboration with nurses in Beijing, she conducted research in China and the United States aimed at improving patient outcomes by teaching and empowering families to assist in the recovery of ill hospitalized elders.

Li was planning to continue testing this research-based intervention that she developed in Iran and other countries. With Li’s approval, the Center for Research and Evidence-Based Practice in the School of Nursing will support the completion and dissemination of her unfinished work with Li as author; copyright the instrument under her name; and take responsibility for granting access to the data in order to assure continuation of her research legacy.

Li is survived by her father, Lu Li; mother, Manying Xie; husband, Ping Sun; and son, Henry Sun. Contributions to the Henry Sun Educational Fund are being accepted c/o Miller Funeral Homes, 3325 Winton Road South, Rochester, New York 14623. School of Nursing memorial tributes will be announced as details become available.