Alpha Xi Retired Nurse Luncheon at the McCutcheon House (also known as the Wisdom Council)

The following retired nurses attended: Joan Creed. Mary Boykin, Sue Haddock, Billie Thompson, Nydia Harter . Also in attendance were Lan Nguyen-President Elect and Karen Worthy-President.

Please take a look at an Educational Symposium offered on April 13, 2024 and a FREE webinar on April 16, 2024

Good afternoon Alpha Xi Members,

We have a few announcements for you as we begin our season of Spring weather and fun!

There was a glitch in the registration link for the Gamma Omicron at Large Chapter’s- Life on Purpose webinar.  Alpha Xi members, please use the following link:  https://redcap.link/kioc5k3l

As posted on Sigma Daily Digest, March 20, 2024

Dear Region 7 chapter leaders,

Reluctantly, but understandably, we accepted the resignation of Katrina Embrey as Region 7 RC. Katrina served admirably in her position as RC for the 2021-2023 biennium and, as a result of her great work, was re-elected to her second term last November. Along with all members in your region, Sigma extends our best wishes to Katrina.

I am delighted to announce that our Sigma Board of Directors approved the appointment of Dr. Viji George as your new Region 7 Coordinator! Viji is a member of the Alpha Alpha Alpha Chapter at the University of St. Augustine and serves as the president. She has experience at both her chapter and the international levels in leadership positions, as she previously served on Sigma's Leadership Succession Committee. She is currently the Clinical Excellence Program Manager and the Magnet Program Director for the Texas Health System.

Viji will be orienting to the role over the next few weeks and is truly looking forward to working with chapter leaders in your region. 
------------------------------
Jennifer Graber Ed.D, APRN, PMHCNS-BC
University of Delaware
Associate Professor & Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Practice Initiatives
Regional Chapters Coordinating Committee Chair
Landenberg PA
United States
------------------------------

Thank you Dr. Graber for this announcement. I thank Sigma leaders and my mentors for trusting me with this responsibility.

Thank you Katrina for your years of service. I am glad we got to connect.  Best wishes!

Dear Region 7 - I will be orienting and learning more about this role in the coming days. Looking forward to connecting and collaborating. I will need everyone's support and help for all of us to fulfill our duties and goals for this biennium. There is power in teamwork. We are in this journey together.

Go team! 
Viji
------------------------------
Viji George DNP, MA, RN, RNC-NIC
Clinical Excellence Program Manager, Magnet Program Director
Lewisville TX
United States
------------------------------

On behalf of Alpha Xi,
We extend our gratitude to Dr. Katrina Embrey for her years of service to our region.  We wish her well in her future endeavors. We look forward to working with Dr. George and Region 7 as we continue our journey towards nursing excellence. 

Stronger together,
Karen Worthy
Alpha Xi Chapter President

Please see the attached flyer for a FREE virtual webinar on April 3, 2024. Register by March 28, 2024 if interested.

Sincerely,

P&N Committee

Come help us celebrate Nurse's Month on May 18, 2024 with a 5K Run/Walk. 50% of the proceeds go to the SC Nurses Foundation, which raises funds to award nursing scholarships). See flyer for more details.

Join Dr. Malissa Mulkey at a seminar where she will be presenting on "Nursing Research: Adding a Piece to the Delirium Puzzle." It will be at the University School of Medicine, February 15th from 12:00pm-1:00pm in Classroom M1. Lunch will be provided, bring your own drink.

Please join us at the Alpha Xi Spring 2024 Induction Ceremony on Sunday, March 24, 2024!

One of the benefits of being a member of Alpha Xi is networking and exploring the possibilities in nursing.

The South Carolina Area Health Education Consortium (SC AHEC) seeks a Research Associate to join the South Carolina Office for Healthcare Workforce (SCOHW).

Please see link for additional information:

Please join us for the Speaker Meeting & Dinner on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 6pm titled, “Lessons learned and memorable moments from Sigma’s 47tg Bienniel Convention.” To register for the speaker meeting and dinner scheduled for February 6th at 6pm, open the flyer and scan the QR code.

Please congratulate Jay Hamm on being selected to receive the 2024 Palmetto Gold Award as a member of Alpha Xi. 

This is the twenty first year for the Palmetto Gold Nurse Recognition and Scholarship Program honoring South Carolina registered nurses exemplifying excellence in nursing practice and commitment to the profession. This is a prestigious award bringing honor to the employee, to the facility and to the profession.

January 23, 2024 from 5pm-7pm: Alpha Xi Chapter Key Celebration at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse (an email was sent a few weeks ago to RSVP. POC: Pam Wright

February 6, 2024 at 6pm: Alpha Xi Speaker Meeting & Dinner: Location: Classroom 5A at Lexington Medical Center. Sandwiches will be provided. Speakers: Katherine Chike-Harris from MUSC, Sue Haddock, and Lan Nguyen with topic of Lessons Learned and Memorable Moments from the 2023 Biennial Convention.

February 16-17, 2024: USC College of Nursing hosts the 2024 Carolina Clinical Excellence Conference. See flyer attached for session details and registration information. It is a great way to stay up to date on clinical practice guidelines and obtain CE hours.

February 19-22, 2024 and February 26-27, 2024: Colleagues from Germany/Lutheran University of Applied Sciences will be here! USC Global Nursing Education Department will host them at the college, along with a Welcome BBQ. More details to come.  In addition, Dr. Worthy will be presenting about Sigma and Alpha Xi on February 20, 2024 at 0900.

March 2024 Newsletter: If you are interested in being featured in our newsletter and/or discussing current healthcare legislation or legality in documentation, please reach out to Caralee Workman, Newsletter Editor.

The University of South Carolina will host the 2024 Carolina Clinical Excellence Conference, a continuing education event on February 16-17. 2024. This year's skills workshops will focus on radiology interpretations and joint injections on Friday afternoon. On Saturday, February 17th, we will have plenary and breakout sessions with topics specific to providers in mental health, primary care, and acute care settings..

Please see link for registration details..

Alpha Xi will be co-sponsoring with other organizations in SC in an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Thursday, February 1, 2024 from 2:30pm-6:30pm.

You can make a DIFFERENCE!

Consider donating. See flyer for more details.

Our Alpha Xi Ambassadors and students led the Way in the with donations to the Share Warmth for the Winter: Socks, Gloves, and Hats donation drive to the Oliver Gospel Homeless Shelter at USC College of Nursing.

USC CON received 234 items (49 pairs of gloves, 39 hats, 133 pairs of socks, 1 rain wrap, and 12 fleece blankets. These contributions will certainly help to keep many of our neighbors-in-need (adults and children) warm this winter.

Way to go Alpha Xi!

Are you interested in research or completing an Evidence-Based /Quality Improvement Project??

Here is an opportunity for you to receive funds for a project that you are passionate about and make a difference in healthcare!

Applications are due March 1, 2024 by 11:59pm.

Scan QR Code for the guidelines/more details!

Help us make this a warmer winter for our neighbors in need!

Donate new socks, hats & gloves for children and adults from November 20th-December 4th!

See flyer for additional details. 

Come ONE, Come ALL,

Join us in an event wrapping session on December 1^st. You can sign up to help set up, wrap gifts, and/or clean up. The event will be held on Friday, December 1^st in the auditorium, Room 231, from 12:00 – 4:30pm.  Setting up will be from 11:00-noon and clean up from 4:30 – 5:00pm.

Sign up link to participate https://forms.office.com/r/kwynSs9f35 or use QR code.

Connect with Alpha Xi Chapter on Social Media:

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/STTIAlphaXi

Instagram:

instagram.com/alphaxi_stt

Distributing Thank you Cards for Veterans on Nov 9th and Nov 10th. If you are interested, please see the Alpha Xi Ambassadors.

1. Dorn VA Hospital
1. November 9
2. 11am-1pm
3. Patriots Park near the VA cafeteria
4. Needed 6-8 students

Annual Veteran’s Day Breakfast

1. November 10
2. 6:45am – 7:15 am
3. Russell House Ballroom-placing cards on tables prior to the start of the breakfast
4. Needed 6-8 students

Thank you so much!

Fighting for a Different Future

The Sigma Alpha Xi Chapter supported the 2023 Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s on October 21 at Segra Park in Columbia, SC.  Drs. Malissa Mulkey (Chapter Governance Committee Member & Team Lead), Karen Worthy (Chapter President), Sue Haddock (Chapter Treasurer) along with family and friends of Alpha Xi volunteered for the event.  

Our Chapter volunteered at the “Promise Garden”:

Walk to End Alzheimer’s events across the country feature a Promise Garden, a hands-on, mission-focused experience that allows participants to raise flowers representing their promise to remember, honor, care and fight for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. Through color, these Promise Flowers represent the diverse motivations of our Walkers:

• Blue:  I have Alzheimer’s or another dementia
• Yellow: I am supporting or caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia
• Purple:  I have lost someone to Alzheimer’s or another dementia
• Orange:  I support the cause and the Alzheimer’s Association vision of a world without Alzheimer’s and other dementia

Participants have an opportunity to write a personal message on their flower to further show their dedication.

Check out our Instagram and Facebook for additional  videos/pictures!

Alpha Xi raised $530 to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research! 

Please see the attached Alpha Xi Travel Awards Policy and Request Form.  For the month of November, including the Sigma Biennial Convention requests, we are waiving the 30-day advanced application requirement.

If you would like to request travel funds for the month of November, please send Billie your application by COB October 10 at billiethompson711@gmail.com. Starting in December 2023, requests must be submitted 30 days before anticipated travel.

Please contact Billie for questions or concerns.

Stronger Together!

Alpha Xi Travel Award Policy 2023.docx
Alpha Xi Travel Request and Checklist 2023.docx

Join Team Sigma Theta Tau Alpha Xi in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Disease at 9:00 a.m. on October 21st in Segra Park at 1640 Freed Street Columbia, SC 29201. 

Click Here to Join Our Team or Donate!

Veteran’s Day Cards!

All Alpha Xi members - please join our AX students at the CON for a fun outreach activity on October 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., CON Room 402. 

We will be making cards for Veteran’s to be shared at our local VA Hospital and at the annual USC Veteran’s Day Breakfast. All supplies are included. We are requesting everyone who wishes to participate sign up to help with planning. Dress is casual for the card making event; however, we will be taking pictures for social media. 

Veteran’s Day Card Sign Up: https://forms.office.com/r/twWRJWrzeA

Alpha Xi continues to support the CON Open House events.  The 2023 Open House was held on Friday, September 22, 2023.  This was an exciting event to talk to current and potential students as well as connect with and recruit future Alpha Xi members.

A special thank you to our Alpha Xi hosts:  Pam Wright, Malissa Mulkey, Sue Haddock, and guest Debora Stokes.

Alpha Xi Students Ambassadors, Emma Fralix, Isabella Marchese, and Hadley Markland, did not hesitate to step up to help!  They recruited volunteers and donors for the American Red Cross Sickle Cell Diverse Blood Drive on Thursday, September 7, 2023. Our USC and CON students played a huge part in the success of the blood drive! The event was sponsored by Midlands of SC Black Nurses Association, Delta Eta Chapter of Chi Eta Phi, the South Carolina Nurses Association, and Alpha Xi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau.  Way to go Alpha Xi Student Ambassadors!

Please join Alpha Xi, Midlands of SC Black Nurses Association, Delta Eta Chapter of Chi Eta Phi, and SCNA on September 7, 2023 at the American Red Cross.
Donate to Save a Life!

Alpha Xi Co-Sponsored the CON Summer Adventures Program (June 19-23). This was a weeklong program for 19 rising 9-12^th graders from all over the nation. Students trained in our state-of-the-art Center for Simulation and Experiential Learning (SAEL), discovering techniques nurses use with their patients. They practiced nursing skills such as hand hygiene, sterile technique, PPE, intravenous medications, injections, vital signs, assessments, practice using a stethoscope and other medical equipment, and many more real-life procedures. They also toured Prisma Baptist Hospital and saw nurses at work!  Alpha Xi was visible throughout the week--discussed the importance of professional nursing organizations, hosted table in CON Innovation Room, and sponsored daily treats.

Read more about the Summer Adventures in Nursing Program: https://bit.ly/46eli3f

We hope you enjoy the attached newsletter (linked below)!

In this issue, you will find highlights from recent Alpha Xi events, Sigma news, a special Corner message on Belonging, pictures, and some helpful resources and links. 

Be on the lookout for future communications asking for content contributions to the newsletter.
Please consider topics such as past events that should be celebrated, upcoming events that should be advertised, members who deserve a spotlight, and wellness topics for our members.

Respectfully submitted,
Your Publicity and Newsletter Committee
Drs. Lan Nguyen and Teresa Bowers

Alpha Xi Newsletter May 2023.pdf

The following are recipients of the 2023 Alpha Xi Service Awards in recognition for their continued service and contributions to the Chapter. Congratulations to all!

Jeanne Cavanaugh
Joan Creed
Sabra Custer
Sue Haddock
Rhonda Johnson
Kathy Miller
Heather Roth
Maggie Selph
Abbas Tavakoli 
Gail Vereen

Hi Alpha Xi Members,

We hope you enjoy the attached newsletter (linked below)!

In this issue, you will find highlights from recent Alpha Xi events, Sigma news, a special Corner message on Belonging, pictures, and some helpful resources and links.

Be on the lookout for future communications asking for content contributions to the newsletter.
Please consider topics such as past events that should be celebrated, upcoming events that should be advertised, members who deserve a spotlight, and wellness topics for our members.

Respectfully submitted,

Your Publicity and Newsletter Committee: Drs. Lan Nguyen (Newsletter Editor) and Teresa Bowers (Publicity Chair and Webmaster)

Alpha Xi Newsletter May 2023.pdf

The University of South Carolina Anne Frank Center Tour hosted by Alpha Xi on May 23 and May 24, 2023 sparked ‘our commitment to never be bystanders but instead to stand up together against antisemitism, bigotry and inequality wherever it may exist today’.

USC CON is leading an academy, StAND-UP: SC, to support the diversification of the registered nurse workforce in South Carolina by increasing the proportion of underrepresented, minoritized, and disadvantaged background (URM/DB) students graduating from nursing schools in South Carolina. The goal is for students to better understand how social determinants of health, health equity, and social justice advocacy influence patient outcomes- especially in the midst of a pandemic like COVID-19. 

Dr. Coretta Jenerette and Dr. Karen Worthy, Co-Project Investigators, initiated the StAND-UP: SC Academy in September 2022.  On May 11, 2023, they will "graduate" approximately 40 pre-licensed nursing students during an in-person conference in Columbia, SC, where they will discuss lessons learned, recommendations, and the next steps to support URM/DB.

The event is FREE, registration is required.

If you are able to assist with hosting the Alpha Xi Table, please email Dr. Worthy, kworthy@sc.edu.

During Final Exam week at the CON, students found value in mindful coloring between exams. The coloring pages were sponsored by our Alpha Xi Chapter. Students stated that coloring alleviated anxiety, reduced symptoms of stress and even triggered a meditative state. 
Sending positive energy your way!  You got this!

Please see the attached flyer and join us for the Alpha Xi '23 Annual Meeting featuring Melissa Taylor, CNO at Lexington Medical Center on May 18th.  Register HERE. 

This meeting is in lieu of the standard scheduled  monthly meeting on May 11.

If you would like to attend virtually, the meeting link information is below:

Microsoft Teams Meeting: Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 260 611 455 409: Passcode: ZrdnFu

Or call in US (audio only): +1 803-400-6044,420562522#  

Phone Conference ID: 420 562 522#

Teams Link for Alpha Xi (same as above)

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NGE5ZThmNTEtZTI0Zi00ZDYyLTk4N2MtODBiYmM0N2YzZTcx%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%224b2a4b19-d135-420e-8bb2-b1cd238998cc%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%229cc27f2b-90cd-4317-9933-123d13f8a1e6%22%7d

2023 AX annual meeting (1).pdf