Mary Bennett is a Professor and former Director of the WKU School of Nursing and Allied Health (2007-2023). Dr. Bennett’s primary research focus is testing the effects of various complementary therapies on physiological and psychological outcomes, using psychoneuroimmulogy as the underlying theory. She has examined the effects of laughter, massage therapy, relaxation therapy and music therapy on stress and immune function. Other areas of research interest are examining barriers to pre-nursing and nursing student success, and care of the end of life patient. Dr Bennett has received research funding and awards from Rush University, Indiana State University, Western Kentucky University, Lambda Sigma and Kappa Theta chapters of Sigma Theta Tau International and from the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. Dr Bennett’s research has been published in numerous journals including Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, Oncology Nursing Forum, Psycho-Oncology, Evidenced Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Journal of Biological Research for Nursing, Brain Behavior and Immunity, BioPsychoSocial Medicine, Journal of Professional Nursing, Nurse Education Today, and the Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing.