Eun-Ok Im, PhD, MPH, RN, CNS, FAAN, has been appointed senior associate dean for research and innovation at Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. She will begin her new position on January 1.
Im is an internationally known scholar in the field of global cross-cultural women’s health research, addressing gender and ethnic differences in health/illness experience of midlife women. Her specific focus is on symptoms (menopausal) and health behaviors (physical activity), with extensions to oncology in the study of gender and ethnic differences in cancer pain. Throughout her career, she has obtained $17.5 million of research funding through R01s and other external and internal grants.
Im has been a tenured faculty member at four research-intensive universities and appointed to named chairs at three of them prior to joining Emory. In 2019, she received the Global Mentor Award from the International Network for Doctoral Education in Nursing for her work in mentoring international doctoral students and serving as a role model in doctoral education in nursing and research.
“Dr. Im’s contributions to nursing science, and to women’s health and oncology nursing in particular, have been profound and ground-breaking,” says Linda McCauley, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAAOHN, dean of Emory’s School of Nursing. “A prolific author and mentor with a service mindset, she is driven to continue her contributions to knowledge generation and dissemination on cross-cultural women’s health issues as a member of the Emory faculty. We are excited to welcome her to the School of Nursing.”
As senior associate dean for research and innovation, Im will lead the development of a strategic research plan; create a high-quality research infrastructure and support system; lead robust and high-impact, interdisciplinary research; and promote innovations in scholarship of faculty and students both nationally and internationally.
“In joining the world-class organization and faculty team at Emory School of Nursing, I feel I am able to contribute and continue advancing the field of nursing science through research, scholarly works, and national and international service activities,” says Im. “My ultimate research goal is to provide culturally competent and gender-sensitive care for midlife women from diverse ethnic backgrounds, including those living with cancer and in menopausal transition. Emory will offer an empowering platform for us to continue our important work.”
Prior to her appointment at Emory, Im served on the faculty at University of Pennsylvania, University of Texas at Austin, and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Most recently she served as professor, Mary T. Champagne professor, and was associate dean for research development and regulatory affairs at Duke University. Im holds a PhD in nursing science (women’s health) and a master’s degree in nursing from the University of California in San Francisco. She earned her bachelor's degree in nursing science and a master's degree in public health from Seoul National University. In January, she becomes president of the Asian American Pacific Islander Nurses Association (AAPINA) that serves as the unified voice for Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) nurses around the world.