Santa Monica resident Lucy Huckabay, director of the School of Nursing at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), is this year’s recipient of the Chi Eta Phi Sorority Inc., Southwest Region’s Humanitarian Award.
The award was presented Saturday at Chi Eta Phi Sorority Inc.’s Southwest Regional Conference Luncheon at the Renaissance Hotel, Long Beach.
Chi Eta Phi Sorority Inc. acknowledges and supports high quality service programs and achievement by presenting awards and recognition for excellent work. The Southwest region presents a humanitarian award each year at its annual meeting in recognition of such achievements in the local community.
“Increasing the access to nursing leadership roles is dependent upon increasing the access to nursing education. In Chi Eta Phi, we are committed to elevating the plane of nursing and increasing leadership opportunities,” said Gloria Willingham-Toure’, president of Psi Eta Chapter, Long Beach.
Huckabay has been a leader in establishing international nursing programs as a World Health Organization consultant. She has led the development of unprecedented multimillion dollar partnerships with Hoag Hospital, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, and the VA Medical Center in Long Beach, all resulting in increased access to nursing education and the development of nursing leaders who otherwise may have been overlooked.
Additionally, she led the formation of seamless nursing programs between CSULB and four community colleges. Without her push for grant support and seamless transfer options, many persons may have been excluded from baccalaureate and master’s level nursing education.
“Diversity, internationalism and transculturalism in students and faculty are sought, valued and nurtured,” said Huckabay.
Huckabay received her initial nurse training and early work experience in Beirut, Lebanon. She later earned a BSN at CSU Los Angeles and both a master’s and Ph.D. degree from UCLA.
Chi Eta Phi Sorority Inc. is a professional association with a membership of more than 8,000 registered professional nurses and student nurses representing many cultures and diverse ethnic backgrounds.
There are more than 81 graduate chapters and 39 undergraduate chapters in 26 states, District of Columbia, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa.
Guided by the motto “Service for Humanity,” the sorority has programs focusing on health promotion and disease prevention, leadership development, mentoring, recruitment and retention and scholarships.
