MNRS Honors Mildred Horodynski for Pediatric Research

Mildred A. Horodynski, PhD, RN, is being honored with the Pediatric Research Section Senior Researcher Award from the Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS). She will be presented with the award during the Pediatric Research Section meeting, held during the 2010 MNRS annual conference.

Dr. Horodynski has been consistently funded for research related to maternal, infant and child health since 1981. For the last 12 years she has focused her research on promoting healthy eating behaviors within low-income mother-infant and mother-toddler pairs as a means to prevent childhood obesity. Dr. Horodynski recognized the critical need for research in this area after noting an overweight problem among infants and toddlers and a lack of nutrition education interventions directed toward this age group.

The award recognizes Dr. Horodynski as a nurse researcher who has a sustained record of research in pediatric nursing. Award criteria includes a strong funding and publication record that reflects a sustained contribution to science and practice related to pediatric nursing at the regional, national and international level. Additionally, evidence of mentoring students or junior investigators in scholarship development must be demonstrated.

Faculty member Dr. Lorraine Robbins nominated Dr. Horodynski for the award. "I have witnessed her passion for her research and untiring efforts to promote healthy eating for infants and toddlers to reduce their risk for obesity and its adverse health effects. She is a leader and role model for faculty and is always willing to provide mentorship in grant writing and other areas for junior faculty and graduate students. I have no doubt that she is highly deserving of this award,” said Robbins.

Dr. Horodynski is currently funded by a $1.5 million federal grant from the USDA for a study titled "Healthy Babies Through Infant-Centered Feeding.” This study aims to work with first-time mothers of infants less than four months of age to promote appropriate and responsive feeding styles and practices.

Additionally, Dr. Horodynski serves as the primary director in Michigan on an integrated project with the National Research Initiative of the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service. The goal of this project is to design and implement a nutrition education intervention for low-income parents of children ages one to three.

The College of Nursing at Michigan State University is proud of Dr. Mildred Horodynski for her dedication to pediatric nursing research. Congratulations for being honored with the MNRS Pediatric Research Section Senior Researcher Award.