Southwest Region 54th Annual Meeting and Education Conference

Lambda Chi Chi's unyielding quest for Health equity and Health justice for our most vulnerable populations, has never been so apparent, since the introduction of the Covid-19 pandemic. Our overall goal of being of service to humanity is exhibited through service, advocacy, and collaboration with community stakeholders.

Kimberly Balark

Lambda Chi Chi of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, incorporated.

Background: Community-based nursing organizations play a critical role in advancing health equity through education, prevention, and leadership development, particularly in underserved populations. Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Incorporated, a professional nursing organization, emphasizes service, scholarship, and leadership as mechanisms to improve community health outcomes.

Purpose: This project describes the programs, partnerships, and outcomes implemented by the Omicron Eta Eta Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Incorporated, aimed at improving health literacy, disease prevention, emergency preparedness, and leadership development within the Greater Sacramento community.

Methods: Chapter-led initiatives were implemented across multiple domains, including Leadership & Development, Disease Prevention & Health Promotion/Partnership, Programs for Youth and Young Adults, and Community Outreach. Activities included health education sessions focused on kidney health and hypertension prevention, hands-only CPR training for youth, STOP THE BLEED education and skill demonstration, and leadership retreats designed to strengthen member capacity. Strategic partnerships with community organizations, faith-based institutions, and youth-serving agencies supported program delivery.

Results: Community members received onsite blood pressure screenings, health education, and referral information to support early detection and prevention of cardiovascular disease. Youth participants demonstrated competency in hands-only CPR and bleeding control techniques through role-play, group practice, and peer feedback. Chapter members strengthened leadership skills through structured retreats and participation in regional professional development conferences. These initiatives increased community awareness, enhanced emergency response readiness, and expanded the visibility and service impact of the organization.

Conclusion: The Omicron Eta Eta Chapter’s multifaceted approach demonstrates how nurse-led, community-based programs can effectively promote health literacy, disease prevention, and leadership development. Continued partnerships, advocacy, and service initiatives are essential to sustaining health equity and improving outcomes in underserved communities.

Zany Ragster-Johnson

Omicron Eta Eta Chapter

BACKGROUND: To advance the health equity within our community, Alpha Phi Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. has focused on efforts to educate our seniors and youth by providing resources and supporting programs on disease prevention and health promotion.

PURPOSE: To elevate the plane of nursing, Alpha Phi Chapters’ commitment to inspire, motivate and support future nurse leaders through scholarships and mentorship programs will continue to promote, build and sustain the health and wellness of all the communities of San Joaquin County. RESULTS: To promote leadership development, Alpha Phi Chapter continues to celebrate and emulate the founders of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. annually and recognize outstanding nurse leaders in San Joaquin and Sacramento. To ensure the continuation of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Incorporated’s “Service for Humanity” will continue, Alpha Phi chapter continues to recruit new members and seek opportunities for publicizing our purposes and achievements.

Constance Smith, Anti-Basileus

Alpha Phi Chapter Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc.

Introduction: Collaboration with other agencies and service organizations continues to be the major vehicle for community service for Kappa Chi Chi in Hawaii. These past few years we’ve continued to work with agencies that addressed needs of the homeless as well as collaborating with agencies and other service organizations to do Hypertension screening and referral, Cancer awareness and prevention along Health education by passing out pamphlets and answering questions at varying health fairs.. The evidence continues to suggest that Kappa Chi Chi’s presence and collaboration with other organizations contributes to the overall well- being of our community on the island of Oahu. Description: In providing service at the Health Fairs in the public arena, we did BP monitoring @Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, for Juneteenth; we collaborated with the NAACP, the Honolulu Black Nurses’ Association, the Cancer Research Center of the University of Hawaii, the Hawaii Pacific University’s Departments of Nursing and Social Work, Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, Susan G. Komen of Hawaii, the LINKS, the Institute of Human Services (HIS), Papkolea and other community groups and agencies. Donations came from our membership. Methods: Although many events were shut down for close to a year and in spite of the fact that many of the Sorors were working throughout the pandemic, we were still able to contribute to the well being of our community. Members took part in Health Fairs at Kapiolani Park, Trinity Missionary Baptist Church and the Blaisdell Arena. We focused on the homeless by providing hygiene kits (toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, dental floss, and soap) through Trinity Missionary Baptist Church in its work with the houseless. Our members along with others from the SWR helped to provide cooked meals to the houseless at the end of the regional meeting in Honolulu. We joined Trinity Missionary Baptist Church in its focus on health needs of its congregation through Blood Pressure screenings at their Juneteenth celebrations. Our members also joined in providing services at Oahu’s Senior Fair and were active in passing out information on Cancer awareness and prevention. They also assisted the Cancer Research Center in soliciting subjects for some ongoing cancer studies in Hawaii. Our members also take part in food distribution once a month from Pearl Harbor Church of Christ. And we were able to award a scholarship to a nursing student at the Hawaii Market Nurses’ Association Daisy Awards Ceremony with the military nurses. We also had who helped to set up the booths and signs for the Komen Run and we had members who took part in the run to raise cancer awareness. Result for 2019 - 2023s:  60 Blood Pressure readings were done this period with 8 referrals to go back to their GP  80 Hygiene kits were passed out to the houseless at Trinity Missionary Baptist Church  140 shelter served cooked meals were passed out to the homeless  350+ pamphlets on varying types of cancers and ways to prevent and treat the cancers were passed out to Seniors at the Cancer Center Research Booth  45+ people came by the Komen Projects Booth at the Susan G. Komen Run  20+ military nurses were at the Scholarship & Daisy awards celebration  100 – 150 people are fed from the food bank on a monthly basis Conclusions: We continue to collaborate successfully with other organizations to contribute to the well-being of the people of our island home.

Patricia Burrell

Hawaii Papcific University - School of Nursing

Background: In the United States between 1974 and 2016 the number of perinatal illicit substance screening policies ballooned from just two policies to over 40 policies. Although research has been conducted examining such policies, the intent of perinatal illicit substance screening remained unclear. This work is part of a larger critical ethnography that seeks to gain an in-depth understanding of the purpose of perinatal illicit substance screening at birth from the perspective of healthcare workers. Methods: A critical ethnography was conducted within the context of the social construction of a target population policy theory. Perinatal healthcare providers were recruited from hospitals located in the United States. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and in-person and virtual observations. This work is part of a larger critical ethnography that sought to gain an in-depth understanding of the purpose and necessity of perinatal illicit substance screening at birth. Results: Participants included registered nurses, midwives, and physicians (N = 36). Experiences related to screening such as denial of basic services, institutional racism and bias, reproductive autonomy infringement, criminalization, stigma, and trepidation were reported. Discussion: Considering the widespread use of illicit substance screening tools, healthcare institutions should evaluate the utilization of illicit substance screening and its results. Future research is needed to explore how to move beyond the current methods used to assess for illicit substance use and investigate the perceived purpose of perinatal illicit substance screening from the perspective of the birthing individual and policy makers.

Norlissa Cooper <ncooper@lambdachichi.org>

University of California, San Franicsco

Helping Colorado Stay Healthy: A Collaborated Community Health Fair Alicia Geolingo/ Anita Berry Iota Eta Chapter, Colorado Springs

Abstract: Guided by the organization’s motto, “Service for Humanity,” Iota Eta Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Incorporated, collaborated with Phi Beta Sigma, Fraternity to plan and host a community health fair that provided various health screenings and education at little to no cost.

Anita Berry

Chi Eta Phi, Incorpated

Lovene Knight

Delta Chapter, Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc.

Know Your Risks: Breast Cancer Education and Screening with BEXA at a Community Health Fair Anti-Basileus Eta Eta Eta Chapter

Abstract: Breast cancer is a global health problem and is currently the second leading cause of cancer death in women. Awareness of breast cancer, public attentiveness, and advancement in breast imaging has made a positive impact on the recognition and screening of breast cancer. However, it continues to be diagnosed in advanced stages due to lack of education regarding breast self-exams, clinical examination of the breast and minimal access to screening through imaging procedures. Eta Eta Eta Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Incorporated implemented a breast cancer awareness program that offered education and screening during their first annual community health fair in an underserved community.

Nikesha Mobley

Eta Eta Eta Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc.

Title: EMPOWERED TO SERVE JoAnne Fair, Basileus Lela Ross Johnson, Anti-Basileus Mu Chi Chapter, Incorporated

Abstract: Mu Chi Chapter, Incorporated of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Incorporated is committed to being of service to humanity. For sorority year 2022, we initiated a program that was sponsored by the American Heart Association and Providence called Empowered to Serve. The program focused on prevention of hypertension and included goal of recruitment, retention and educating participants on hypertension risk and prevention. in addition, we provided skills development and equipment to monitoring their blood pressure

Lela Ross-Johnson

American Heart Association / Providence Health Care

This poster showcases a Year in the Life of Psi Eta Chapter Members. It includes community events, outreaches, awards received, and collaborations with local and National organizations.

Erica Ashley

Chi Eta Phi