Zeta Eta Chapter

Fort Wayne's Zeta Eta Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Incorporated is a group of local registered nurses, supporting and empowering the community through our service to humanity. We care for everyone's wellness, especially sensitive to existing challenges in health equity, access to care, and social determinants of health.

​

Our chapter members actively partner with organizations, schools, and places of worship to improve the health and well-being of our city. Key issues we target include hypertension, diabetes, infant mortality, and heart disease. We also elevate and promote our profession, encouraging and mentoring others to become nurses.

​

Dressed in green and yellow, we are frequently seen at community and church events providing health screenings, sharing health education such as Safe Sleep for babies, and connecting with youth and seniors through programs designed just for them. We also serve at sporting events, the YMCA, barbershops, and other places of business. 

Behind the scenes we collaborate with organizations and stakeholders to advocate for improved health policy. Our work is 3-fold:

​

1. We show up. We are visible in the community.

2. We listen. We hear and examine health needs.

3. We care. We meet others where they are and provide education, service and support.

 

 

Signature programs and partnerships:

Infant Mortality

More black babies die before reaching their first birthday than babies in other groups.  Zeta Eta Chapter has responded to the extensive problem of infant mortality in the African American community in the Fort Wayne area. 

​

• Zeta Eta Chapter in partnership with Parkview Community Health Improvement and Anchor Films released five videos in 2017 to bring awareness to the problem and highlight key factors associated with infant mortality. The short videos are used on social media as well as in community teaching sessions.

• Zeta Eta Chapter members serve as Safe Sleep educators and ambassadors through training from Cribs for Kids® and the Indiana Department of Health. Information and education is provided at health fairs, churches, community events, and other programs reaching women and families.

• Zeta Eta Chapter has a partnership with the Impact Center to provide Safe Sleep and Parenting classes.

             

Programs for Youth and Young Adults

• Zeta Eta Chapter has a partnership with Renaissance Pointe YMCA, Fort Wayne, Indiana, to support the after-school Youth Program with education on various health care topics most requested by the students. Topics have included vaping, safe sleep, health careers, heart health and mental health.

• Annually, Zeta Eta Chapter partners with the African American Healthcare Alliance to provide free health physicals to hundreds of children participating in the Metro Youth Sports Inc. programs in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

• In early 2023, the Zeta Eta and Renaissance Pointe YMCA supported 23 youth becoming certified in Heartsaver CPR and AED through the American Heart Association, with training provided by Parkview Health CPR Center and the East Central Indiana Area Health Education Center (AHEC).