Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Incorporated History

Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Incorporated ® is a professional organization for registered professional nurses and student nurses (male and female) representing many cultures and diverse ethnic backgrounds. More than 8000 Registered Nurses and Student Nurses hold membership in Chi Eta Phi Sorority Incorporated ®.

Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Incorporated vision is to be an internationally recognized leader in developing healthy communities through advocacy, collaboration, education, leadership, research, and service.

Their mission is to:

• Encourage the pursuit of continuing education
• Recruit programs for health careers
• Stimulate close and friendly relationships with other professional groups
• Identify core nursing leaders who affect social changes at the national, regional, local levels

Northeast Region History

The Northeast Region was the first region to become officially unified. It was formed in 1953, at Provident Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland.

When organized, this region had five (5) graduate chapters and one (1) undergraduate chapter. The Northeast Region is presently comprised of twenty-two graduate and ten undergraduate chapters within seven states and the District of Columbia. There are 957 members.

The Northeast Region has developed innovative programs such as financial awards to worthy charitable organizations which include: Hale House for Children with AIDS, The United Negro College Fund, The National Council of Negro Women, The Keys for Living Units of the American Cancer Society, and eyeglasses for the uninsured.

Eta Chapter, Incorporated History

Eta Chapter was organized on November 19, 1939, at the Log Cabin Hotel, Norfolk, Virginia. Eta Chapter was the fourth graduate chapter chartered by the Alpha Chapter on November 19, 1939, at Norfolk Community Hospital, Norfolk, Virginia. The geographical locations of the original sixteen nurses included Norfolk, Portsmouth, Hampton, and Newport News. The city of Suffolk was also included as a potential site for registered nurse membership. The charter members of Eta Chapter were ever grateful to Dr Alfred C. Fentress, a physician at Norfolk Community Hospital and a member of Chi Delta Mu Fraternity at Freedman's Hospital where the Alpha Chapter of Chi Eta Phi was located. He encouraged the organization of sisterhood in Norfolk and it continues to grow!