Associate Professor
Assistant Dean for Community Culture
Department
Department of Systems, Populations and Leadership
University Affiliations
University of Michigan Medical School, Department of Neurology
Contact
University of Michigan School of Nursing
400 North Ingalls Building
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5482
Hala Darwish is accepting new PhD students.
In the News
Dec. 5, 2025: CBS News, "Michigan professor earns national recognition for using VR to treat depression in MS patients"
Oct. 9, 2015: MedScape, "Vitamin D Supplements Improve Cognition in Patients With MS"
Interests
Cognitive Function
Cognitive Rehabilitation
Neurocognitive disorders
Mental health
Health disparities
Dr. Hala Darwish is a nurse scientist; her research integrates neuroscience, mental health, and nursing, with a focus on cognitive and emotional health, resilience, and cognitive and mental health outcomes among people living with neurologic and psychiatric conditions. She is proficient in basic science, translational, and clinical research. She received NIH training and individual research grants and has presented her work at national and international forums. She develops innovative, scalable interventions, including immersive nature-based virtual reality, to promote psychological well-being and quality of life. She is the first Neuroscience scholar within the School of Nursing. She is a member of the Nursing Honor Society - Sigma Theta Tau and a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and a recipient of the 2025 IOMSN Nightingale Award–USA. She has authored several research papers about the topic.
Current Research Grants and Programs
UMSN/Dr. Jo Anne Faculty Research Fund, International Organization of MS Nurses (IOMSN), & Apple (Investigator Support Program), Bringing the Outdoors In: Virtual Nature Walks for Depression in Individuals with MS. PI.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Health & Independent Living Coaching Program (HILCP) fMRI Sub-study. PI.
Eisenberg Family Depression Center, 2025 Oscar Stern Award for Depression Research through the Impact Grants program, Virtual Reality Nature Immersion to Reduce Depression in People Engaged in Intensive Outpatient Program. PI.
UMSN/Elsie Andersen Fiskey Research Fund, Cultural Perceptions and Educational Needs of Healthcare Providers and Family Caregivers in Disorders of Memory and Behavior in Ghana. PI.
Teaching
Dr. Darwish’s teaching expertise includes classroom teaching, undergraduate and graduate levels, and one-on-one mentoring of masters and doctorate students, including thesis and dissertation chairing. Dr. Darwish takes pleasure and pride in teaching and giving guidance to students. Dr. Darwish is open to receiving PhD, DNP or Honors students.
Affiliations/Service
Fellow, American Academy of Nursing, 2018-present
Member, American Nurses Association, 2025-present
Member, American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 2025-present
Member, International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses, 2013-present
Member, Society for Neuroscience, 2003-present
Editorial Board Member, Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services
Faculty, University of Michigan Neuroscience Graduate Program, 2023-present
Member, University of Michigan Center for Global Health and Equity, 2023-present
Member, University of Michigan Eisenberg Family Depression Center, 2025-present
Member, University of Michigan Concussion Center, 2021-present
Member, University of Michigan Provost's Advisory Committee on Disability Affairs, 2025-present
Notable Awards/Honors
Selected Participant, Richard and Hinda Rosenthal Emerging Leaders in Health and Medicine Forum, National Academy of Medicine, 2026
Nightingale Award - USA, International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses, 2025
Oscar Stern Award for Depression Research, Eisenberg Family Depression Center, 2025
University of Michigan Neuroscience Scholar, 2021
Fellow, American Academy of Nursing, 2018
Member of the Nursing Honor Society - Sigma Theta Tau International - Rho Chapter- University of Michigan- Ann Arbor, 2002
Education
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Board Certified, 2026
MSN, University of Michigan-Flint, Flint, MI 2025
Ph.D., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 2007
MSN, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 2007
Teaching Diploma, American University of Beirut
BSN, American University of Beirut, 1997
Publications Highlights
Darwish, H. (2026). Our environments: Reclaiming nature in psychiatric–mental health nursing. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 64(1), 4–6. doi:10.3928/02793695-20251208-01
Darwish, H., Tureson, K., Hokett, E., Allan, A., Finlay, J., & Webster, N. (in press). Green, blue, brown, gray? The cognitive benefits of natural environments among older Mexican Americans. Journal of Aging and Health.
Zimami, S., Darwish, H., & Marriott, D. (2025). Choice to provide care and recognition of dementia symptoms: Impact on caregivers’ caregiving experiences. American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease & Other Dementias, 40. https://doi.org/10.1177/15333175251399002
Chaaya, M., Assaad, S., Darwish, H., Haber, M., Khoury, R., Saab, D., El Asmar, K., & Hajjar, R. (2025). Dementia incidence among a cohort of Lebanese older adults: First incidence estimates from the Middle East and North Africa region. Frontiers in Dementia, 3, 1494719.
Yaktine, N., Fares, S., Khoury, S. J., & Darwish, H. (2024). Psychometric validation of the Arabic Multiple Sclerosis Resiliency Scale: Uncovering resilience factors in Lebanese MS patients for clinical and research advancements. eNeurologicalSci, 34, 100489. doi:10.1016/j.ensci.2023.100489
Zimami, S. & Darwish, H. (2024). Preparedness for caregiving among informal caregivers of people with dementia: A scoping review. Geriatric Nursing, 60, 191–206.
Darwish, H., Zeinoun, P., Farran, N., Ghusn, H., Yamout, B., & Khoury, S. J. (2022). The Brief International Cognitive Assessment in Multiple Sclerosis: Validation in Arabic and Lebanese normative values. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 28(1), 94–103. doi:10.1017/S1355617721000102
Farran, N., Safieddine, B. R., Bayram, M., Abi Hanna, T., Massouh, J., AlKhawaja, M., Tamim, H., & Darwish, H. (2020). Factors affecting MS patients' health-related quality of life and measurement challenges in Lebanon and the MENA region. Multiple Sclerosis Journal - Experimental, Translational and Clinical, 6(1), 2055217319848467. doi:10.1177/2055217319848467
Maalouf, F.T., Alamiri, B., Atweh, S., Becker, Cheour, A E., Darwish,H., Ghandour,L.A., Ghuloum,S., Hamze,M., Karam,E., Khoury,B., Khoury,S.J., Mokdad,A., Meho,L.I., Okasha,T., Reed,G.M., Sbaity, E., Zeinoun, P., Akl, E.A. (2019). Mental health research in the Arab region: Challenges and call for action. The Lancet Psychiatry, 6(11), 961-966. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30124-5
Darwish, H., Haddad, R., Osman, S., Ghassan, S., Yamout, B., Tamim, H., & Khoury, S. (2017). Effect of Vitamin D replacement on cognition in Multiple Sclerosis patients. Scientific Reports, 7, 45926. doi:10.1038/srep45926