Awards and Honors

Streets named after Elisabeth in Meilen, Switzerland & Nieuwkoop, Netherlands

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 YearsOn 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” 50th 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