Iota Kappa Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau International

In 1922, six nurses founded Sigma Theta Tau at the Indiana University Training School for Nurses, now the Indiana University School of Nursing, in Indianapolis, IN. The founders chose the name from the Greek words Storgé, Tharsos and Timé meaning, "love," "courage" and "honor."

Iota Kappa chapter is Gwynedd-Mercy College's chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, the international honor society of nursing. The honor society recognizes and fosters in nurses superior achievement, the development of leadership qualities, high professional standards, creative work, and commitment to the ideals of the nursing profession. The Iota Kappa chapter currently has 280 members. It was established in 1986 with 142 members.

For more information regarding the insignia of Sigma Theta Tau International, click here.

MISSION

The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International provides leadership and scholarship in practice, education and research to enhance the health of all people. We support the learning and professional development of our members who strive to improve nursing care worldwide.

VISION

All five organizations – the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International; Nursing Knowledge International; The International Honor Society of Nursing Building Corporation; the Sigma Theta Tau International Foundation for Nursing; and the International Academic Nursing Alliance – exist to further the vision of the honor society, which is to create a global community of nurses who lead using scholarship, knowledge and technology to improve the health of the world's people.

For further information about Sigma Theta Tau International, click here.
For further information at Gwynedd-Mercy College's School of Nursing, click here.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Educational Event:  Overview of Pharmacogenetics and Implications for Medication Therapy
Date, Time, and Place:  Thursday, November 10, 2011, 6:30 p.m., Keiss Hall 101, Merck Auditorium
Presenter:  Brian D. Stwalley, Pharm.D., CGP, FASCP

Dr. Stwalley is an accomplished clinical pharmacist and pharmacy senior executive.  He is currently the Chief Clinical Officer and Corporate Compliance Officer for Continuing Care Rx, the nation’s largest independent provider of long-term pharmacy services.  Dr. Stwalley is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, Philadelphia, PA. and is a fellow of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists.

Overview:  This presentation summarizes basic concepts of genetics and how clients’ genetic differences affect medication pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.  Strategies for addressing the pharmacogenetic impact of common medications are explored.

Approval of 1 contact hour is pending from the Pennsylvania Nurses’ Association.

RECENT NEWS:

Chapter Key Award - Fall 2009

The Iota Kappa Chapter was honored to receive the Chapter Key Award. This award is given to chapters who excel in chapter-related activities such membership recruitment and retention, publicity and programming, professional and leadership development, local, national and international collaboration.

Research Grant Award – Fall 2009

A $1060.00 research grant was awarded to Mary Hermann and Judy Winterhalter for their research project titled What is the lived-experience of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students in a curriculum grounded in a liberal education?

Grant for Service to the Dominican Republic - March 2010

Grant monies were awarded to Betsy Black, Tammie Kear and Velia Mc Cabe and their students to support their service trip to the Dominican Republic which will take place over spring break.

RECENT EVENTS:

Annual Induction Ceremony - December 5, 2009

The annual Induction Ceremony was held on December 5th in the Merck Auditorium at Gwynedd-Mercy College at 12 Noon. The following undergraduate students were inducted: Talia Bellingham, Jacqueline Calamia, Jeremy Davis, Michele Gould, Kathryn Herens, Cassandra Lloyd, Joanna Mola, Eloise Ramirez, Lori Schmehl. Graduate students that were inducted included Andrea Dean, Karen Detwelier, Anne Gibbons, and Cheryl Walker. Kristin Davies and Mary Mulholland were inducted as Nurse Leaders. The keynote address for this event was given by Dr. Kimberly Attwood, a faculty scholar at Columbia University. Dr. Attwood's presentation was titled Challenging Barriers: The Re-Engineering of Advanced Practice Nursing. A luncheon followed in the Waldron Dining Room.

50th Anniversary Celebration of the School of Nursing - Gwynedd-Mercy College

October 16-18, 2009

The Iota Kappa Chapter was pleased to support this momentous celebration with a $3500.00 contribution. An Academic Symposium was held on October 16, 2009. An opportunity to update the chapter's membership was provided. Information regarding CEU's available through Sigma theta Tau was available. On October 17th , a Black Tie Gala event was attended by some of the Executive Board members of Iota Kappa. On Sunday, October 18th, Cardinal Justin Rigalia, offered Mass in the Griffin Complex.

Tri-State Consortium - October 18, 2009

STTI held a Leadership Summit Conference in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing at the university on March 27 & 28, 2009. Melissa Martelly attended from our chapter.

On Wednesday, April 1, 2009, a Health Fair was held at Gwynedd-Mercy College in St. Bernard's Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Iota Kappa participated in this event focusing on providing information on the effects of smoking and smoking cessation. Thank you for the leadership provided by Carol Stahlhut and Kristin Davies. Also, Pam Lynn and Roseanne Regan contributed to the success of this event.

NEWSLETTERS

Iota Kappa strives to keep its members informed through the regular publication of a Chapter newsletter. Recent articles have featured the accomplishments of members, Chapter involvement in community events and the induction of new members.

AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Nursing Students Recognized at Annual Honors Convocation
During the College's annual Honors Convocation, held on the eve of graduation, Iota Kappa recognized two worthy students with awards. The 2008 recipients of the Undergraduate Student Award was Jessica Griffin, and the recipient of the Graduate Student Award was Mary Ellen Butch

Nursing Student Scholarship
Iota Kappa is funding a $1000 scholarship for a Gwynedd-Mercy College nursing student. To be eligible, the student must be either a senior BSN student or an MSN student, have a GPA of 3.5 or higher and exemplify the Sigma Theta Tau International values of leadership, scholarship and research. Students who are interested must submit an application packet that includes a curriculum vitae, letter of intent, letter of recommendation from a professional colleague and an essay describing how they demonstrate the STTI values in their nursing practice. MSN students need to have taken a minimum of six credits to qualify for the scholarship. If interested, submit the application documents as described above is due by June 1, 2010. Please contact Dr. Judy Winterhalter at winterhalter.j@gmc.edu for guidelines.

Research Grants
The purpose of the Sr. M. Fenton Joseph Fitzpatrick Research Award is to encourage beginning nurse researchers to contribute to the body of nursing knowledge and to support experienced nurse researchers in their continuing efforts. If you have a research proposal, please contact Dr. Judy Winterhalter at winterhalter.j@gmc.edu for guidelines. The research grant for $1000.00 is due by October 31, 2010. Applicants must be members in good standing or accepted for induction into Iota Kappa.

MEMBERSHIP AND CONTACT INFORMATION

Board of Directors

President - Kristin Davies

President-elect- Barbara Jones
Vice President - Elizabeth Faust
Secretary - Monica Cades
Chapter Counselor - Pamela Lynn
Leadership- Donna Ferguson