Alpha Beta Phi Newsletter
June
Congratulations on your Induction!
On May 3rd, we held our inaugural induction ceremony and inducted 38 new and/or transferring members! We are thankful for the opportunity to serve you, our members, through all of the benefits that Sigma membership has to offer! If you were not able to attend the new member orientation but would like to watch the recordings, here are the links:
Introducing: Sigma Spotlight
In each newsletter, we plan to bring you a special spotlight interview with Sigma movers and shakers! This could be you!! If you are doing something special and you would like to share, please fill out this brief survey and let us know!
This month, we are bringing to you, Dr. Briyanna Morrell. Dr. Morrell is the Region 9 coordinator for Sigma for the 2021-23 biennium, where she serves as the cheerleader for the wonderful regions in Indiana, Kentucky, and Southern Ohio. She is also a member of the Lambda Epsilon chapter. She has served with the Indiana League for Nursing, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, and the Indiana Association for Nursing Professional Development. Briyana is an Associate Professor of nursing at the University of Indianapolis, where she has served in some capacity since 2011, teaching primarily critical-care nursing. She received her BSN from TCU, MSN-Nursing Education from Texas Woman's University, and PhD from Catholic University of America. Her research relates to interprofessional education and practice as well as innovative and effective educational strategies (like educational escape rooms). She has received awards for teaching and scholarship, including the University of Indianapolis' Outstanding Faculty Award, the Indiana League for Nursing's Horizon Teaching Award, and the Dr. Janet Rexrode Southby Prize in Nursing Research. She loves seeing students learn and grow as well as connecting with nurses across borders. In her freetime, Briyana enjoys being a wife and mom of two, serving in her church and community, and running marathons.
Here is a link to our first Sigma Spotlight interview with Dr. Morrell.
As a part of the interview, Dr. Morrell highlighted valuable resources you have access to as a Sigma member! Here are links to some of the resources mentioned.
You spoke and we listened!
After our new-member orientation meeting, we sent out a brief survey to gain feedback. We seek member input to provide opportunities, support, and chapter activities you want and need. Overwhelmingly, members requested professional and career development and learning opportunities. In response, we would like to highlight The Circle’s Career Development Portal. Here you will find access to online and in-person career advising, mentoring, and coaching.
Be Bold!
The current presidential biennium vision for Sigma is to Be Bold! In this section of our newsletter, we will bring you ways to “Be Bold” in the profession of nursing through advocacy and action! Staying on the front lines of advocacy can prepare us for the action needed to advance our profession as nurses! This month we would like to share with you a GREAT Sigma article by Michael Polacek in Nursing Centered.
“The Nurse Policy Entrepreneur as a Full Partner in Healthcare Reform”
Looking Ahead
In July, we will host our bi-monthly chapter member meeting! Based on our member feedback survey results, we are moving this meeting to a weekday/evening.
Our next member meeting will be July 11th at 7 pm EST. A Zoom calendar invitation will be sent but here is a link as well:
This meeting will be recorded and sent out following the meeting.
At our July member meeting, we will be highlighting the work of fellow Sigma member and ACE Alumni Jessica Rhoden! Jessica graduated in 2021 with her MSN in Nursing Education. She is certified in high risk obstetrics, inpatient obstetrics, and electronic fetal monitoring. Recently, Jessica was recognized as a contributor in the Association of Women's Health Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) 3rd edition of Obstetrics Emergencies workshop!
Jessica is passionate about perinatal nursing and ensuring that nurses on the front lines of care are well-prepared, educated, and equipped to deliver the best care possible. Over the last year, Jessica has been working as a catalyst of change in her field and we are looking forward to her sharing how to strategically work to solve real problems in the healthcare community!
Sara M. Reichard, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE
Sigma Chapter President
Alpha Beta Phi (619)
American College of Education