Awards and Honors -

Honorary Degrees

This category includes the honorary degrees awarded to Dr. Kübler-Ross in recognition of her profound contributions to medicine, hospice care, and human understanding.

Doctor of Science, H.C., Albany Medical College, New York, 1974
Doctor of Laws, University of Notre Dame, IN, 1974
Doctor of Science, Smith College, 1975
Doctor of Science, Molley College, Rockville Center, NY, 1976
Doctor of Humanities, St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN, 1975
Doctor of Laws, Hamline University, MN, 1975
Doctor of Humane Letters, Amherst College, MA, 1975
Doctor of Humane Letters, Loyola University, IL, 1975
Doctor of Humane Letters, Bard College, New York, 1977
Doctor of Humanities, Hood College, MD, 1976
Doctor of Letters, Rosary College, IL, 1976
Doctor of Pedagogy, Keuka College, NY, 1976
Doctor of Humane Science, University of Miami, FL, 1976
Doctor of Humane Letters, Bard College, NY, 1977
Doctor of Science, Weston MA, 1977
Honorary Degree, Anna Maria College, MA, 1978
Doctor of Humane Letters, Union College, New York, 1978
Doctor of Humane Letters, D’Youville College, New York, 1979
Doctor of Science, Fairleigh Dickinson University, 1979
Doctor of Divinity, 1996

National and International Recognition

Awards and recognitions at the national and international level, honoring Dr. Kübler-Ross for her contributions to the field of medicine, palliative care, and grief studies.

National Women’s Hall of Fame, 2007
One Hundred Most Important Thinkers of the Century, Time Magazine, 3/99
Golden Key to the City, Memphis, Tennessee, 1977
Key to the City, New Orleans, LA
Special Recognition, American Academy of Bereavement, 1998
President’s Cabinet Award, University of Detroit, MI, 1979
Humanitarian Award, International Association of Cancer Victims and Friends, Inc., Solano Beach, CA, 1977
Inclusion in “Foremost Women of the Twentieth Century”, International Biographical Centre, Cambridge, England, 1986
Inclusion in “The World Who’s Who of Women”, International Biographical Centre, Cambridge, England, 1986
Honorary Member, Mark Twain Society
Inclusion in “Books of the Century”, New York Public Library – On Death & Dying, Link, 1999
Teilhard Prize, “Promotion of Human Unity“, August 15, 1981
Simon & Schuster’s Top 100 Books of the Past 100 Years, On Death & Dying, 2024

Medical and Hospice Awards

Recognizing Dr. Kübler-Ross’ impact on the medical community and her work in hospice care, particularly in the field of thanatology (study of death and dying).

American Academy of Achievement – Golden Plate Award, 1977
American Society of Hospice Care, Lifetime Achievement, 1985
Backbone of Thanatology Award, Parker Chiropractic Research Foundation, 1977
Caring for the Dying Conference, The Kübler-Ross Legacy Award, 2005
Caritas Hospice, NY, Recognition Award for contributions, 1990’s
Children’s Hospice International (CHI), Award for Outstanding Contribution, 2008
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Award, American Society of Hospice Care, Weston, MA, 1985
Fellow of the College of Human Sciences, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, 1976
Gardner Visionary Award, Pathways Hospice Foundation, Palo Alto, CA, 2010
Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA), Medal of Honor, 2006
Hospice of Bluegrass, Lexington, KY, Lifetime Achievement, 1995
Hospice of Chesapeake, Lifetime Achievement, 2004
Hospice of San Francisco, Lifetime Achievement, 1984
Hospice of Santa Barbara, Lifetime Achievement, 1990’s
Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley, NY, Lifetime Achievement, 1990’s
Hospice of the Valley, Phoenix, AZ, Lifetime Achievement, 2005
Hospice of the Valley, San Jose, Ca, Lifetime achievement Award
Hospice of the Western Reserve, Cleveland, OH, Lifetime achievement Award, 1990’s
Hospice of Tucson, Lifetime Achievement, 1990’s
National Hospice Organization (HPO) – Founders Award, 1993
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), Caring Connections Award, 2001
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) – Ongoing photo exhibit at national headquarters, VA, 2009–Present
National Library of Medicine – “Changing the Face of Medicine”, Celebrating America’s Women Physicians, 2003
Pathways Hospice, One From the Heart Award, 2010
Sacramento Hospice Foundation, Lifetime Achievement, 1990’s
San Diego Hospice, Recognition Award for contributions, 1990’s
Sutter Hospice, CA, Lifetime Achievement, 1990’s

Civic and Community Honors

Honors given by cities, institutions, and organizations to recognize Dr. Kübler-Ross’ work and influence in various communities.

Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Plein, Town square/place named after her in Nieuwkoop, Netherlands, 2017
City of Dallas – Special Recognition
Community Leaders & Noteworthy Americans Award, Raleigh, NC, 1978
Honorary Citizen, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, 1972
Honorary Citizen, Including key to city, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1974
Honorary Deputy Sheriff, State of Tennessee, County of Shelby, 1979
Honorary State Senator, Louisiana, 1974
Honorary Member, Christophorus Hospiz Verein, Munich, Germany, 1986
Honorary Member, Yoga Fellowship of Northern Ireland, 1985
Honorary Member, Board of Trustees, Foundation of Hospice and Home Care, WA, 1983

Recognition for Contributions to Grief and Bereavement

Honors and recognitions for Dr. Kübler-Ross’ pioneering work in the study of grief and her introduction of the “Five Stages of Grief.”

BBC – “Witness History” Program, Features Kübler-Ross and the Five Stages, 2020
Dougy Center – Butterfly Garden dedicated to Kübler-Ross, 2005
Expo216 – Museum in Wilmington, NC, exhibits “Death & Dying” featuring Kübler-Ross and the Five Stages, 2017
George M. & Mary Jane Leader Healthcare Achievement Award, Oct 6, 1994
Institute of Human Caring, Torrance, CA (Dr. Ira Byock) – Display of personal archives, 2019–2023
Irish National Public Radio – Forty-One-minute special on Kübler-Ross’ work in Ireland, 2021
Naval Hospital, Great Lakes, Award, 1970
Northern New Mexico Community College, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Training Program, 1991
VNA Health – Serenity Hospice of Santa Barbara – Exhibit of Kübler-Ross personal archives, 2023-25 (Currently)

Legacy & Cultural Impact

Awards and recognition for Dr. Kübler-Ross’ enduring influence on culture, music, and international memorials.

American Journal of Bioethics – Devotes entire December 2019 issue to “On Death & Dying” 50^th anniversary
Business, Hundreds of the world’s largest companies such as Exxon, IBM, Pfizer, Ford, Walmart, Shell, Google, Sony, Harvard, Johnson & Johnson use the Kübler-Ross Change Curve in their corporate trainings 2000-2025
Changing the Face of Medicine – Inclusion on list of famous female physicians
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Huis, first hospice in Netherlands renamed after her, 2017
Ellis Island – Exhibit on famous immigrants including Kübler-Ross, Summer 2006
Expo216 – Museum in Wilmington, NC, features Kübler-Ross’ contributions, 2017
The Immigrant Learning Center – Included as one of Eleven Famous Women Immigrants into the United States, 2021
Kübler-Ross – Band named “Kübler-Ross” nominated for album of the year in Scotland, 2022
Kübler-Ross Strasse – Street named after Kübler-Ross in her home town near Zürich, Switzerland
Music – Over thirty (30) bands name albums after the “Stages of Grief” in 2024 alone
Nathan Adelson Hospice – Display of Kübler-Ross’ archives including desk & typewriter, 2011-2014
Pallium India, Kerala, India – Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Library 2010-2023
Providence Trinity Care Hospice – Display in front entrance of Kübler-Ross private archives, 2014-2025
Stanford University – Full day conference devoted to Kübler-Ross’ work, 2019
Taylor Swift – Creates Apple Playlist based on Five Stages of Grief, April 2024

Lifetime Achievement and Special Honors

These awards acknowledge Dr. Kübler-Ross’ lifelong contributions and the unique impact of her work.

Lifetime Achievement Award, Southern Birmingham College, 1995
Visiting Nurses Assoc. of Greater Philadelphia, Lifetime Achievement, 1995
Living Legacy Award, Women’s International Center, La Jolla, CA, 1984
Service to Mankind Award, Southwest Sertoma Club, Kansas City, Missouri, 1977