- January 28, 2021

Soojung Jo, a 4th year PhD student in the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, has received a Crisis Innovation Award from the Graduate and Professional Student Association at ASU. The award recognizes students contributing to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic through volunteer work, research awareness and creative engagement. Her research, with mentor Dr. Elizabeth Reifsnider, examines factors affecting compassion fatigue among nurses during the pandemic.

“Nurses are experiencing negative psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or fear during the global COVID-19 pandemic, and it influences quality of patient care,” stated Soojung. “This research aims to determine the factors associated with compassion fatigue during the COVID-19 pandemic among nurses through an international survey. The results will provide information needed to enhance the psychological health of nurses during the pandemic.”

While Soojung was selected for her community support and innovative research, she also has field experience working with the Gyeonggi Infectious Disease Control Center during the 2015 MERS outbreak in Korea. Congratulations to Soojung for being recognized for her work and dedication during the pandemic!