Award for Excellence 2010:

Posthumously conferred upon

Valmi D. Sousa, PhD '03, APRN, BC

1958-2010

Dr. Valmi Sousa was a beloved associate professor at the University of Kansas School of Nursing. He earned his BSN at the School of Nursing and Obstetrics of Guarulhos in São Paulo, Brazil, and his MSN at Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil.

He earned his PhD in nursing from FPB, and had completed a post-doctoral research fellowship at the University of Iowa. Dr. Sousa had also earned a graduate certificate in molecular genetics from Georgetown University. He was a member of the American Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Midwest Nursing Research Society, and the Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science.

Dr. Sousa taught undergraduate and graduate theory, and research methodology courses. His primary research focus was on developing, refining, and testing specific research instruments for the prevention and/or management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In addition, he continued to refine and test a conceptual framework for diabetes self-care management. Dr. Sousa had been developing and testing the psychometric properties of several measures, including diabetes self-care agency, diabetes self-efficacy, diabetes self-management, and perception of risk factors for T2DM. In his work, Dr. Sousa had developed innovative approaches via the Internet to collect information from national samples of individuals who might be at risk for the development of T2DM. His efforts set the stage for the development and design of interventions that can be done via the Internet or other technology-based platforms. His studies are also expected to lay the groundwork to design and implement individualized and tailored interventions that may be effective in reducing risk for T2DM, improving glycemic control and quality of life, and delaying and/or preventing diabetes-related complications. Dr. Sousa’s research had been funded internally at his university affiliation, and externally by Sigma Theta Tau International - Alpha Mu Chapter, and the American Nurses Foundation/Midwest Nursing Research Society.

Dr. Sousa was prolific in his publications. Since 2003, he had amassed over 35 publications (including nine in press) in peer-reviewed journals. Six of these publications were with graduate students whom he was mentoring. He had done numerous presentations at local, regional, national, and international professional and research conferences. Additionally, he had performed international research consultations in Cyprus, Brazil, and Finland. He also served as a consultant for the Cerner Corporation and the University of Kansas Great Plains Diabetes Institute in developing and implementing technology-based interventions for studies of individuals with T2DM.

Based on Dr. Sousa’s program of research with individuals with T2DM, the sound record of research dissemination through peer-reviewed publications and presentations, and the novel approaches he developed for data collection and interventions, the research he has left behind has the potential to positively impact and change the practice of nursing and other health care disciplines for the growing number of individuals with diabetes in the U.S. and worldwide. Before his untimely passing on March 19, 2010, Dr. Sousa had been informed of being chosen as the 2010 Award for Excellence recipient. He was looking forward to receiving the esteemed honor. The Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing Alumni Association is proud to posthumously bestow upon him its Award for Excellence in honor of his exemplary and steadfast dedication to the nursing profession. May he rest in peace and may eternal light shine upon him.