The NEW Soul study at the University of South Carolina is seeking African-American Participants for a free plant-based soul food research study. 

Register for the Region 7 Town Hall on October 14th! Currently, Alpha Xi has the most members registered!!! 

As we prepare for our 2^nd American Red Cross Blood Drive in 2024, please to help us spread the word to recruit donors and volunteers.  Please ask your AX peers, nursing students, family, and friends.  

All donors are encouraged to register (walk-ins welcomed as well) and will receive a $20 Amazon e-gift card and exclusive Red Cross Sickle Cell t-shirt!  In addition, we will also have drawings for prizes for donors and volunteers. 

National Blood Shortage

How Blood Donations Help

A Family's Journey

Please participate in the upcoming Sigma survey. A personalized survey invitation will come from myork@us.confirmit.com. This survey is sent out every three years to Sigma members to identify opportunities and inform plans for future programs, products, services and activities. 

Please know that all feedback you share in this survey will remain anonymous, and findings from the survey will only be reported in aggregate. As an example, the findings may show what percentage of respondents indicated they had used a Sigma resource. 

Your survey responses will help shape the future of Sigma. Thank you in advance for your time and willingness to complete the survey.

Please check your spam/junk folders. Answers are completely confidential. 

Please join us on May 14, 2024 for the Annual Meeting and Installation of Officers. Dr. Lori Vick will also be presenting "A Motivational Approach to Medication Adherence: Conversations with Persons with Sickle Cell."

During Volunteer Week, Alpha Xi students made an impact in our community through a Healthy Vital SIgns Clinic at AHEPA Senior Apartments.

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!