Sigma Honors Three Columbia Nursing Faculty

Professor Tonda Hughes, PhD, received the inaugural Sigma/DAISY Nurse Scientist Leadership award, and associate professors Maxim Topaz, PhD, and Sarah Collins Rossetti, PhD '09, were inducted into the Sigma International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame. 

The awardees were honored at Sigma's 37th Annual International Nursing Research Congress in Toronto July 16-18, 2026. 

Presented by Sigma and The DAISY Foundation, the Nurse Scientist Leadership Award recognizes "a licensed registered nurse who has demonstrated excellence in research, compassionate care, and leadership." In its announcement, Sigma notes, "Hughes’ groundbreaking work as transformed the understanding of health equity for marginalized populations, particularly through her studies on hazardous drinking among sexual minority women. Funded continuously by the National Institutes of Health since 1999, her research represents the longest-running longitudinal study of its kind." 

Topaz and Rossetti were among 26 nurse researchers inducted into the Hall of Fame this year for "significant, sustained national or international recognition for their research," and represent Australia, Canada, Ireland, Israel, Italy, South Korea, and Taiwan, along with the U.S., according to Sigma.