Foulkeways at Gwynedd wanted to reach outside their walls and be more visible and engaged in the community. To support this mission and its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion objectives, they established a collaborative partnership with Chi Eta Phi Sorority.

Chi Eta Phi Sorority is a professional organization for registered professional nurses and student nurses representing many cultures and diverse ethic backgrounds. They have 8,000 members with local chapters throughout the United States, District of Columbia and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Foulkeways initially supported the sorority by exhibiting at their Annual Conference. Marsha Wesley Coleman, FSA Director of Learning and Development, and member organization Broadmead attended and sponsored the conference. Foulkeways continued fostering the collaboration and the sorority’s Montgomery County Chapter currently meets monthly and conducts their programs and activities at Foulkeways. Their recent program on heart health was attended by both residents and staff.

This collaboration helps bridge the diversity gap by providing residents and staff the opportunities to interact with individuals of a variety of backgrounds. In addition, members of the sorority are exposed to Foulkeways as a potential CCRC option for their own families. This strategic partnership may also support and complement Foulkeways staffing. Discussions are underway for members of the sorority to potentially pick up shifts in Foulkeways' Health Services Department. 

“Collaboration strengthens us as a community and partnering with Chi Eta Phi Sorority reinforces our DEI mission,” stated Brian Kersey, Director of Admissions and Marketing of Foulkeways at Gwynedd.

If you are interested in working with Chi Eta Phi Sorority, please contact Marsha Wesley Coleman and she will connect you to a local representative.