Chapter History
The concept for a Sigma chapter at the University of Ha'il emerged from a conversation with Dr. Mustafa Bodrick when he was visiting the College of Nursing in 2018. Dr. Bodrick presented the Dean, Dr. Farhan Alshammari, with the advantages of Sigma and other related information, persuading him to suggest forming a chapter. Dr. Madigan, Sigma CEO, was one of the speakers at the 1st Saudi Nursing International Conference, spearheaded and hosted by the College of Nursing, the following year, which fueled the drive to start a chapter. She spoke about Sigma, its advantages, a member's eligibility, and other relevant topics during her presentation. Following that, the Dean formed a team of academic staff to explore the possibility of establishing a Sigma chapter. Dr. Mohammed Hamdan Alshammari, the Vice Dean of the College, was then designated to oversee it. Dr. Mohammed was named the chapter's first President, and he and his colleagues started the application process by engaging the Sigma team in Indianapolis. Ms. Jenny Hoffman from Sigma's main headquarters laid out the submission process, all of the steps to be performed, and, most importantly, the timeline for the proposal to be approved during the first meeting.
The University of Ha'il's recently created chapter would have an effect on both its members and the university itself. Being the first chapter in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region bears a great deal of responsibility and distinction. It was developed with the purpose of being utilized by the chapter to carry out all of its planned activities, including stand-alone chapter meetings, activities in partnership with other organizations, and nonmember program benefits. Given the fact that Sigma has been around since 1922, there has never been a chapter in Saudi Arabia or other Gulf countries. Bringing Sigma to this part of the world is a major milestone for the chapter. Saudi Arabia's academic institutions and practice settings are diverse in many ways. The majority of healthcare institutions employ a multicultural and multiracial workforce. Nurses make up the largest group of healthcare professionals in this oil-rich kingdom. As a result, the strength of this chapter is its diversity. The vision of the chapter is to leave a legacy of member satisfaction, which is the true measure of the chapter's value.