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 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” 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