SIGMAS SAVE LIVES A SALUTE TO Phi Beta Sigma’s First Responders and Essential Healthcare Workers Dedicated to serve during this global health crisis. JULY 2020
a mind to serve and a heart to give
July, 24, 2020 Dear Brothers!! On behalf of the General Board, the International Headquarters Team and the entire Brotherhood of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., it is my honor to greet you and commend you for your service as first responders and essential health care workers. Sigma Brother Dr. Huey P. Newton, coco founder off the Black Panther Party, ŽŶĐĞ ƐĂŝĚ͕ ͞tĞ ǁŝůů ƚŽƵĐŚ 'ŽĚ͛Ɛ ŚĞĂƌƚ͖ ǁĞ ǁŝůů ƚŽƵĐŚ ƚŚĞ ƉĞŽƉůĞ͛Ɛ ŚĞĂƌƚ͕ ĂŶĚ ƚŽŐĞƚŚĞƌ ǁĞ ǁŝůů ŵŽǀĞ ƚŚĞ ŵŽƵŶƚĂŝŶ͘͟ These words capƚƵƌĞĚ ƌŽ͘ EĞǁƚŽŶ͛Ɛ belief in the power of compassion, faith and collaboration to overcome obstacles and transform lives. COVID-19 created a health crisis unlike any experienced in recent times. And while the dangers of the coronavirus are still present, many of us find comfort and security knowing first responders and essential health care workers such as yourselves are working non-stop to keep our families safe, healthy and protected. On behalf of your Brothers across the world, thank you for your unwavering dedication on. As A Brotherhood o off Conscious Men Actively Serving Our Communitiees, we believe the fruitful life is one which is spent for the blessings of others. We consciously seek opportunities to enrich the lives of the people around us; your kindly attitudes are demonstrated through your ǁŽƌŬ ĐĂƌŝŶŐ ĨŽƌ ƉĞŽƉůĞ͛Ɛ ǁĞůůďĞŝŶŐ. We appreciate the key role you play in protecting communities and saving lives. As Sigma Men, we must remain vigilant and intentional in our efforts to ŚĞĂů ŽƵƌ ƉĞŽƉůĞ͘ Ɛ ƌŽ͘ ĞŶ sĞƌĞĞŶ ƐĂŝĚ͕ ͞EŽǁ ŝƐ ƚŚĞ ƚŝŵĞ ƚŽ ƌĞĐŽŐŶŝnjĞ ǁĞ ǁĞƌĞ ĐĂůůĞĚ ƚŽ ƐĞƌǀĞ͊͟ Thank you for answering the call and serving humanity. We appreciate you being a Loyal Sigma and speeding our cause on its way! Fraternally,
Bro. Micheal E. Cristal International President
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Michael L. Murry, RN,BSN Lead Clinical Case Manager Baptist Health Medical Center Lambda Gamma Sigma Chapter Conway, AR 4
n a normal work day case managers are one of the primary points of contact on a health care team. Case managers assist patients and their families with coordinating services and resources to address their immediate and transitional needs. Case managers, working closely with social workers and other providers, help ensure that patients are engaged and actively participating in the plan for discharge from the hospital. COVID-19 has dramatically impacted how we work due to less patient contact and families not being able to visit. This has led to most of the care coordination being done via telephone.
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For the COVID-19 patient transitioning home, my team makes sure the patient will be able to continue to safely self quarantine once home and has adequate support from family. The team also arranges post-acute services, orders equipment, and identiďŹ es community resources that may be available. Some additional duties have been to make sure that the patient receives a COVID-19 Home Monitoring Kit and enrolls in MyChart which allows them to access their medical records and review needed discharge instructions once home. I am sure I have missed a few things, but because I have a great team we handle many things that come our way! Thanks, Brother Michael L. Murry
Brother Michael Murry also serves as Southwestern Regional Director for Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
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Ed Drain Police Chief City of Plano, Texas Omicron Sigma Chapter
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serve as the Police Chief for the Plano, Texas Police Department. The department has approximately 650 sworn officers and civilian employees that serve a population of roughly 290,000 residents. The COVID19 pandemic has forced many organizations to make significant changes to their procedures. Law enforcement has not been an exception. I could not have imagined the changes we've made to keep our employees healthy while continuing to perform our public safety mission. The majority of our civilian employees are now working productively from their homes. Patrol officers no longer hold a briefing during shift change. They just grab their keys and go and receive any special instructions by email. While we have had the capability for citizens to report minor property crimes online or by telephone for years, we always responded if that was the caller's preference. In the current environment, however, we are directing citizens to use their phones or computers to report minor offenses. Recruiting and training for newly hired officers has continued during the pandemic. The training cycle for police officer recruit training is almost a year long. Because of routine officer attrition and the long training pipeline for recruits, we can't afford to suspend hiring and training. Fortunately, we have not had any recruits test positive for Covid-19. We've not been as fortunate with incumbent police officers, however. So far, 11 officers have tested positive. The majority of the officers that tested positive had relatively mild symptoms. However, one officer is currently in the hospital due to COVID-19. We have had about 100 employees on 14-day quarantines at various times since mid-march due to close contact with positive employees or others. So far, the pandemic has not impacted our ability to provide services. Experts have made too many contradictory predictions about this pandemic to know how this will play out. However, whenever the health threat diminishes, there are some aspects of our current operations we may keep, and some may revert to the way things were before the crisis. I have been pleasantly surprised at the productivity of our civilian employees who perform administrative and analytical functions. I have many friends and family members in the private sector who have been working from home to some degree for years. However, employees working from home is a significant pivot for local law enforcement agencies. Activities I hope we can get back to sooner rather than later though is community policing and engagement. The massive protests following the death of George Floyd is a clear indication that there is still a lack of trust between the public and the police in many cities. Robust community engagement is the primary vehicle used by law enforcement agencies to build trust and legitimacy in their communities. It's the key to establishing partnerships and addressing rumors and conspiracy theories about law enforcement. Conspiracy theories and mistrust are not going away because of the pandemic, and may even increase in the current environment. Law enforcement agencies can address some issues using social media and virtual meetings. But Facebook posts and Zoom meetings are no substitute for face to face community engagement in real-time. Brother Ed Drain, Police Chief Plano, TX Police
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SIGMAS SAVE LIVES A SALUTE TO Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity’s First Responders and Essential Healthcare Workers Dedicated to serve during this global health crisis. 8
EASTERN REGION
Kenneth (Rico) Abrantes Epsilon Sigma Chapter Essential Educator Queens, NY
Dr. Kevin M. Bush, Jr. Zeta Sigma Chapter Director, Surgical Services Division Baltimore, MD
Jovan Crocker Epsilon Nu Sigma Chapter Registered Nurse Baltimore, MD
Dwayne Davis Zeta Chi Sigma Chapter Police Officer Prince Georges County, MD
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EASTERN REGION
Andrew Hall, Sr. Zeta Sigma Chapter Public Safety Director Johns Hopkins Medicine Baltimore, MD
Sean Eldridge Lambda Alpha Sigma Chapter Major, Veterans Affairs Police Hampton, VA
Maurice Graham, FNP-BC Alpha Sigma Chapter Family Nurse Practitioner Howard University Washington, DC
Andrew D. Jones Beta Psi Sigma Chapter Police Officer New York, NY
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Wesley Hatton Nu Sigma Chapter Police Officer Philadelphia, PA
Wendell John Gamma RhoSigma Chapter Public Safety Officer Columbia University-Morningside
EASTERN REGION Richard P. Farmer, II Omicron Chi Sigma Chapter Renewals Coordinator Boston, MA
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EASTERN REGION
Zamel Mitchell Kappa Beta Sigma Chapter Nurse Brooklyn, NY
Dr. Carl R. Pullen Nu Sigma Chapter Physician Philadelphia, PA
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Edmund Sherrill Nu Sigma Chapter Hospital Chaplain Philadelphia, PA
Terrence Sistrunk Nu Sigma Chapter Police Corrections Officer Philadelphia, PA
Robert A. Renix Alpha Sigma Chapter Chaplain Washington, DC
Colin Smith Alpha Alpha Phi Chapter Transportation Security Administration Brooklyn, NY
EASTERN REGION Dr. Chukwunwike Okafor Lambda Lambda Sigma Chapter Resident Physician Bronk, NY
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EASTERN REGION
Dean Smith Alpha Sigma Chapter Senior Director of Nursing Prince George’s County, MD 14
EASTERN REGION
Duane Taylor, MD Sigma Sigma Sigma Chapter Physician/Surgeon Bethesda, MD
Kevin V. Tudor, DPM Beta Psi Sigma Chapter Podiactric Surgeon New York, NY
William Wilkes, Jr. Beta Psi Sigma Chapter Police Officer Baltimore, MD
Darryl Williams Kappa Upsilon Sigma Chapter Burling County Director Emergency Management Burlington Township, NJ
Marcus Wyns Kappa Beta Sigma Chapter Educator Brooklyn, NY
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GREAT LAKES REGION
Willie Buie Pi Psi Sigma Chapter Fire Fighter/Deputy Chief Harvey, IL
Gary Lewis Epsilon Beta Sigma Chapter Chief of Police Louisville, KY
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Roger Collins, II Epsilon Beta Sigma Chapter Police Sergeant Louisville, KY
GREAT LAKES REGION
Gregory Montgomery Nu Alpha Sigma Chapter Computer IS Team-Home Health Care Henry Ford Health Systems, Detroit, MI
Liyongo Tolin Nu Alpha Sigma Chapter Physical Therapist - Detroit Medical Center Detroit, MI
Maurice Wallace Pi Rho Sigma Chapter Chef Detroit, MI 17
GULF COAST REGION
Antoine Fleming Alpha Beta Sigma Chapter Social Worker Houston, TX
Dexter W. Johnson Zeta Xi Sigma Chapter Fireman Houston, TX 18
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Eric Hill Eta Rho Sigma Chapter Law Enforcement Houston, TX
Keith Holliday Zeta Xi Sigma Chapter Registered Nurse Missouri City, TX
Darian D. Levy Alpha Sigma Sigma Chapter Police Officer Houston, TX
Randolph Sanders Theta Delta Sigma Chapter Military Fort Hood, TX
GULF COAST REGION
Justin Smith Zeta Xi Sigma Chapter Health Administration Houston, TX
King Tawiah, Jr. Xi Sigma Chapter Health Screener/Limited Phlebotomy Technician Dalla, TX
Charles Wiltz Alpha Alpha Sigma Chapter Lead Recovery Donation Specialist for Lifegift Organ Donation Center Houston, TX
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SOUTHEASTERN REGION
Nate Coley Delta Zeta Sigma Chapter Registered Nurse Charlotte, NC
Derrrick Buggs Beta Rho Sigma Chapter Social Worker North Carolina 20
Kih Fairley Delta Zeta Sigma Chapter Environmental Service Worker Raleigh-Durham, NC
Marvin Hedgepeth Alpha Alpha Gamma Sigma Chapter Mental Health Counselor Raleigh, NC
Mickel Jones Beta Chi Sigma Chapter Medical Administrative Supervisor Columbia, SC
SOUTHEASTERN REGION Gerard P. Shepherd, PAC Delta Zeta Sigma Chapter Physician Assistant - Practice Medica Director Duke Urgent Care South Durham, NC
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SOUTHERN REGION
Marcus Brooks Kappa Alpha Sigma Chapter Police Officer Austell, GA
Calvin Bennett Eta Mu Sigma Chapter ET Medic Meridian, MS
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Gig Brown Gamma Eta Sigma Chapter Police Officer Tampa, FL
SOUTHERN REGION
James Butler Beta Zeta Sigma Chapter Florida National Guard Soldier Orlando, FL
Albert Garrick, Jr. Gamma Iota Sigma Chapter Firefighter/EMT/Safety Department Lake Charles, LA
Dimitri Guerrier Sigma Xi Sigma Chapter Law Enforcement Officer Tampa Bay, FL
Robert C. Grady Kappa Alpha Sigma Chapter Deputy Sheriff Lieutenant Atlanta, GA
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SOUTHERN REGION Shedrick Hogan Delta Upsilon Sigma Chapter Paramedic/Firefighter Starkville, MS
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Vontavious Howell Gamma Pi Sigma Chapter Police Officer Milledgeville, GA
Donnie James Phi Beta Sigma Sigma Chapter Police Officer Atlanta, GA
SOUTHERN REGION
Derinique Kendrick Delta Mu Sigma Chapter Detention Deputy Eatonton, GA
Kiante Kennedy Gamma Iota Gamma Chapter Advances EMT Milledgeville, GA
Captain Herman Miles Alpha Phi Sigma Chapter Police Officer Columbus, GA
Donald E. Mitchell Nu Beta Sigma Chapter Chief Nurse, Primary Care & Outpatient Clinics North FL/South GA
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SOUTHERN REGION
Ronnie Moore Theta Eta Sigma Chapter Registered Nurse - ER Lakeland, FL
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Marco Rice Eta Delta Sigma Chapter Nurse - ER Tupelo, MS
Vernon Rayford Theta Iota Sigma Chapter Physician Tupelo, MS
Joel Shedrick, Jr. Delta Omicron Sigma Chapter Case Manager/LPN St. Petersburg, FL
SOUTHERN REGION Kenneth Straughter Delta Mu Sigma Chapter Sheriff’s Deputy Athens, GA
Eric Wilson, Sr. Rho Sigma Chapter Army Logistics Officer Miami, FL
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SOUTHWESTERN REGION
Jamar Bennett Mu Beta Sigma Chapter Sergeant Detective Benton, AR
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DeMario Johnson Epsilon Lambda Sigma Chapter EEG/EKG Technician East St. Louis, IL
Philip Esaw Mu Beta Sigma Chapter Police Officer Little Rock, AR
Travoris McClee Delta Nu Chapter Emergency Medical Technician Memphis, TN
Michael Hartman Nu Theta Sigma Chapter Professional Manager - Disabilities Kirksville, MO
Jamil R. Meme, MD Kappa Sigma Chapter Physician St. Louis, MO
SOUTHWESTERN REGION Jason Williams Mu Beta Sigma Chapter Family Nurse Practitioner Little Rock, AR
Taurus Bennett Tau Iota Sigma Chapter Clinical Engineering Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare Memphis, TN
James Anderson Tau Iota Sigma Chapter K9 Officer Memphis, TN
Terrence Holt Tau Iota Sigma Chapter Unifrom Patrol Officer Memphis, TN Detective Artez Davis Tau Iota Sigma Chapter Memphis Police Department Memphis, TN 29
WESTERN REGION
Jonathan Davis Epsilon Delta Sigma Chapter Deputy Sheriff Fresno, CA
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Eric Sanders Delta Psi Sigma Chapter Deputy Sheriff Los Angeles, CA
Alfred Gibbs Kappa Eta Sigma Chapter Law Enforcement Los Angeles, CA
Shawn Willis Epsilon Delta Sigma Chapter CA Highway Patrol Sergeant Fresno, CO
Dr. Jason H. Lester Delta Delta Sigma Chapter Director-Family Services Support Colorado Coalition for the Homeless Denver, CO
Felix Moore Delta Delta Sigma Chapter Lead Child Protection Social Worker Aurora, CO
WESTERN REGION Ravi Stephens, Sr. Delta Delta Sigma Chapter Firefighter Denver, CO
Roy Webster Epsilon Delta Sigma Chapter Firefighter Fresno, CO
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