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On June 25-27, 2024, the Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Region 1, North America Conference was held Å·ÃÀAƬ’s Aloha Tower Marketplace. HPU is part of the Hawaiʻi-at-Large chapter, along with Chaminade Å·ÃÀAƬ of Honolulu, the Å·ÃÀAƬ of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, and the Å·ÃÀAƬ of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. The theme of the conference was “Nurses as Adaptive Leaders: For a Healthy People and a Healthy Planet.”

HPU Dean of the School of Nursing, Professor Edna Magpantay-Monroe, ED.D, was on the Hawaiʻi nursing academic leaders’ panel on “Adaptive Nursing Leadership in the Face of Community Challenges/Adversity” and participated in a podium presentation on her research with a former student, titled “The Integration of Native Hawaiian and Marianist Values in Nursing Student Success.”

“The Sigma conference was a great way to showcase nursing in Hawaiʻi and to share our culture with the attendees. Having the event Å·ÃÀAƬ provided valuable exposure for the Å·ÃÀAƬ and its nursing programs," said Magpantay-Monroe. “Kumu Ramsey Taum did the opening plenary session titled, ‘E Ola Pono: Leading and Leaving with Aloha for Health, Happiness and Prosperity.’ My podium presentation focused on integrating Native Hawaiian values such as aloha (compassion and kindness) and mālama (care and stewardship), along with Marianist values of community and service. These values are essential to fostering a holistic approach to nursing education. By incorporating these cultural and spiritual values, we aim to create a more inclusive and effective healthcare environment. It was also important to understand that emotional intelligence paired with value driven education can have a better impact in one’s success in nursing education.”

HPU Assistant Professor Joelle Phillips, DNP, RN, and HPU Associate Professor Jessica Nishikawa, DNP, served on the planning committee as the only members based on Oahu. Nishikawa, the president of the Sigma Gamma Psi-at-large chapter, and Phillips, who serves as the HPU nursing counselor, both hold leadership roles within the Sigma organization. They also participated as plenary speakers at the event, with Nishikawa being part of the leadership panel alongside other Sigma leaders. HPU Assistant Professor Jennifer Baumstark, DNP, another planning committee member, supported their efforts from Maui.

“The event was very well attended by over 150 registered attendees, most of them Sigma members participating in the nursing education event,” Phillips said. “We had attendees from, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Australia, Qatar, Canada, California, Washington, New York, Texas, Oregon, Nevada, Hawaiʻi, and more. It was a diverse representation of people across the globe. There were podium presentations and poster presentations on various topics from clinical to education.” 

HPU is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society, which strives to improve global health through its members. HPU's chapter, Gamma Psi - Chapter-at-Large, is part of this prestigious organization.

The honor society recognizes the academic achievements of students in the nursing program. To be eligible, HPU undergraduate students must be enrolled in the nursing degree program, have completed 50% of the required nursing courses, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0, be at least junior status (60+ credits), and rank in the upper 35% of nursing students. Graduate students must have completed one-fourth of the required graduate curriculum (12 credits Å·ÃÀAƬ) and have a minimum GPA of 3.5. Eligible candidates must be approved by the HPU nursing faculty and the Gamma Psi Chapter-at-Large membership before being accepted. 

According to the , more than 100,000 nurse leaders from around the world are proud to call themselves Sigma nurses. Founded in 1922 by six nursing students, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma) has more than 100,000 active members and 600 chapters at institutions of higher education and healthcare partners worldwide. Sigma members include clinical nurses and administrators, academic nurse educators and researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and others working to fulfill the organization’s vision of connected, empowered nurse leaders transforming global healthcare.

To learn more about the HPU School of Nursing, click here.