Tribute: Lorrie Yoos remembered for transforming asthma care, inspiring others

Professor Emerita Hannelore “Lorrie” Yoos, a pioneering pediatric nurse practitioner and researcher whose work reshaped asthma care for urban children and their families, died March 28, 2026, in Bellingham, Washington. She was 84.

A passion for children’s health—particularly for those growing up in poverty—defined Yoos’s influential career as a clinician, scientist, and educator. She joined the University of Rochester School of Nursing in 1975 and spent more than three decades caring for children in Strong Memorial Hospital’s pediatric practices, mentoring generations of advanced practice nurses, and leading research that changed how providers understand and manage childhood asthma.

“Lorrie embodied the clinician–researcher–teacher model at the foundation of the School of Nursing,” said Pamela Ann Herendeen, DNP, PPCNP-BC, senior nurse practitioner at Golisano Children’s Hospital and assistant professor of clinical nursing. “She inspired many of us in pediatrics to pursue nurse practitioner education and remain in academic roles—teaching, publishing, and mentoring the next generation. She was my first professor, later my mentor and colleague in practice, and ultimately the chair of my doctoral project. Lorrie was my guiding light—calm, thoughtful, and always knowing the right thing to say or do.”

Born in Augsburg, Germany, in 1942 during World War II, Yoos immigrated to the United States and built a life devoted to caring for others. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from SUNY Geneseo and later completed both her master’s and PhD in primary care nursing at the University of Rochester. She became one of the School’s earliest pediatric nurse practitioners, combining community-based practice with a growing program of research.

Her work focused on how families perceive and respond to asthma symptoms, and on the communication gaps that can arise between parents and health care providers. As principal investigator and collaborator on multiple federally funded studies, Yoos examined parental illness representations, barriers to using anti-inflammatory medications, and strategies to help families recognize the severity of symptoms early. She and her colleagues tested practical interventions such as peak flow meters and family-centered education programs, demonstrating that low-income and minority children can achieve significantly better outcomes when given tools and support to manage their disease.

“Lorrie was a formative mentor to me early in my career, when I was just beginning my work in childhood asthma,” said Jill Halterman, MD, MPH, chair of the Department of Pediatrics and physician-in-chief of Golisano Children’s Hospital. “She opened the door for me to join her research group and guided me with remarkable thoughtfulness and care. Her scientific rigor, unwavering commitment to vulnerable children, and insistence on incorporating the patient voice fundamentally shaped my work and my career.”

Yoos was devoted to her students. A beloved preceptor and faculty member, she was known for her thoughtful questions, careful feedback, and unwavering belief in the potential of each learner.

“Lorrie was my mentor,” said Patrick Hopkins, DNP, APRN, C-PNP-PC, associate professor of clinical nursing. “She was incredibly calm and such a powerful advocate for children. She wove research, teaching, and clinical practice together, and she did it with a quiet wisdom that changed how we care for kids with asthma.”

Colleagues recall that even as her research gained national attention, she remained grounded in the day-to-day realities of families’ lives. She practiced ambulatory pediatrics, listened closely to parents’ stories, and brought their experiences back into the classroom and research lab. Her work helped establish the School’s reputation for rigorous, community-engaged research focused on high-risk children and youth.

After retiring and being named professor emerita, Yoos relocated to Bellingham, Washington, where she spent the past 16 years with her family.