The Rho Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. hosted the 49th Middlewest Regional Educational Conference at the Crowne Plaza St. Louis Airport May 1-4. Chi Eta Phi is an international sorority of registered professional nurses and nursing students with headquarters in Washington, D.C.
“We need to promote leadership to foster and encourage other African Americans to become registered nurses, because the majority of our patients look like us,” said Benita Austin, Rho Chapter president and adult nurse practitioner at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
Austin said the Rho Chapter mentors and recruits diverse nursing students through a partnership with St. Louis Community College-Forest Park.
The Rho Chapter was chartered in March 1956 by 10 nurses at Homer G. Phillips. It became the first chartered chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority in the Middlewest region, which is comprised of 11 chapters and 8 undergraduate chapters in 12 states. But, this is a little-known history.
“The St. Louis community needs to know that Rho Chapter, Chi Eta Phi exists,” Austin said.
Dr. Antoinette Falker discussed leadership strategies needed to address the aging nursing population.
“There’s an old saying going around in nursing that is very true,” said Elcedo Bradley, national president of Chi Eta Phi. “Nursing is graying, and so is Chi Eta Phi Sorority.”
Chi Eta Phi members Leila Hightower and Adrienne Washington addressed caregiver issues and disease prevention and health promotion within the African-American community, specifically targeting Alzheimer’s and heart disease.
Dr. Monique Williams was the recipient of this year’s Chi Eta Phi Gladys Manzo Pathfinder’s Humanitarian Award. Williams is a geriatric physician who specializes in treating patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The award was presented by Dr. David Carr, of the Knight Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Washington University School of Medicine.
Austin said Williams was selected because she has been an avid supporter of the Rho Chapter. She has included the sorority in her publications and research in addressing health disparities and Alzheimer’s disease in St. Louis.
Helen Wallace, an original founding member of the Rho Chapter, was also honored at the luncheon. Austin said the Rho Chapter cherishes the legacy of those who have paved the way.
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