Korean Nursing Association chief wins Florence Nightingale Medal

Korean Nursing Association (KNA) President Shin Kyung-rim has been awarded the Florence Nightingale Medal by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in recognition of her contributions to healthcare policy development and social leadership.

The Korean Red Cross said Wednesday that Shin has been selected as the 50th recipient of the Florence Nightingale Medal, awarded by the ICRC. She is the 59th Korean to receive the honor since it was first presented to nurse Lee Hyo-jeong in 1957.

The award was established at the Ninth International Conference of the Red Cross in 1912 to honor Florence Nightingale for her dedication to nursing wounded soldiers during the Crimean War. Winners are announced on or around May 12, Nightingale's birthday.

Recipients are recognized for their dedication to patients and civilians in times of crisis—such as war, disaster, or infectious disease—or for their creative and pioneering spirit in public health or nursing education. This year, 35 recipients were selected from 17 countries, including Shin.

For the past 27 years, Shin has been a professor at Ewha Womans University College of Nursing, where she has worked to advance nursing education, research, and practice. In particular, she contributed to the establishment of Korea’s nursing education system, including the unification of four-year nursing education and the enactment of the Education Quality Management System Act. She also served as a member of the 19th National Assembly, where she played a key role in developing healthcare policies, including the enactment of the Nursing Act.

The award ceremony will be held during the 120th anniversary of the Korean Red Cross in October.