Moving Sigma Forward: Leading Together (November 2026)

Each month, I share a look at what our community has accomplished and what’s ahead. This month, I’m especially grateful for the work Sigma nurses continue to do for each other and for the profession. Thank you for living out Lead Together.

Celebrating our members

Welcome to everyone who has joined Sigma in recent months. Please do introduce yourself on The Circle and connect with nurses around the world who share your interests.

Congratulations to our Chief Nursing Officer, Kristi Reguin-Hartman, who received the DAISY Nurse Leader Award at the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses Board Meeting in September. The award honors leaders who create workplaces where compassion and skilled care thrive.

Sigma nurses were also well represented at the American Academy of Nursing in October. About 250 Sigma members were inducted as Fellows, and Board of Directors Jennifer Graber, Jennifer Saylor, and I were honored to be among them. Congratulations also go to the four Sigma nurses The Academy named Living Legends: Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk, Susan Reinhard, Kevin Sowers, and Eileen Sullivan-Marx. See all of this year’s Sigma honorees and join me in congratulating them.

Congratulations also to Board members Dr. Benita Chatmon and Dr. Jennifer Graber, who were inducted as Fellows of the National League for Nursing (NLN) Academy of Nursing Education (ANEF).

Nurses’ voices on the world stage

In September, Sigma United Nations Youth Representatives Amy Staley and Marin Strong brought nursing’s voice to the UN’s 81st General Assembly. Amy spoke at a youth session of the High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, and Marin summed up why it matters: “Nothing about nurses, without nurses.”

Connecting with members

In October, Kristi and I enjoyed giving keynotes at North America Region 12’s 40th Annual Tristate Consortium Lectureship, and President-elect Karen Gorton gave a keynote at the Region 3 Research Symposium, an endnote at the Region 15 Symposium, and helped celebrate Alph Xi Chapter’s 60th anniversary.

I have also been honored to attend the 10th Biennial International Nursing Conference and Sigma Asia Regional Conference hosted by the Faculty of Nursing, University of Indonesia, meeting over 200 nurses from our Asia region and 16 countries globally. 

Sigma staff and Board members have also enjoyed meeting so many of you at the ANCC Magnet & Pathway Conference® in Chicago. To invite a Sigma leader to your event, in person or virtually, submit a request. You can also find us at:

• 12-14 November | Organization for Associate Degree Nursing Convention, San Antonio, Texas, USA
• 3-5 December | AACN Transform 2026, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

Join us for the Annual Member Meeting

On 19 November, I hope you’ll join our virtual Annual Member Meeting for updates on headquarters activities, financials, and committee reports, and to hear about the work that strengthens our global community. Register now (members only).

Your voice matters

Transparency and open communication matter to me. Sigma is committed to a restorative approach, and an important part of that work is CP Education & Consulting’s independent review of our policies, practices, governance, and culture. Your perspective will help guide meaningful, lasting change, and I encourage you to share it by completing the interest form. For the latest updates, visit our community update page. Thank you for your continued commitment to Sigma and to one another.

As always, with love, courage, and honor,

Liz Westcott, DCM, MSc, DipMan, RGN, FFNMRCSI, FAAN
President