Phi Delta Epsilon: Ohio Theta Chapter

In 2021, me and five other amazing women embarked on the journey of creating a new chapter of Phi Delta Epsilon (PhiDE), a medical fraternity on UC's campus. We felt that PhiDE's values, Philanthropy, Deity, Equity and Education were important for every future physician to learn about and aspire to showcase throughout their lives. In simple terms, PhiDE has three main focuses; education, service, and social events. As the VP of Programming, it was my job to ensure that events in all three categories were planned and executed successfully. When the organization first began, I was stressed and felt an enormous amount of pressure on me. I had to create interesting programming that not only sets us apart from other medical organizations, but also makes sure to keep our members passionate about being a part of PhiDE. However, over time I learned to work with my fellow exec members to alleviate my responsibility through delegation, cooperation, and clear communication. 

 

One of the most successful events I planned this year was the suture clinic with the Army Medical Recruiting Station. This event was my first in-person event with another organization. My anxiety was through the roof, but through clear communication and thorough and detailed planning our event was a hit with all of our members! 

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My favorite event of the year, however, was creating craft kits for the in-patient children at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Phi Delta Epsilon's paired philanthropy is the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH), and our local CMN hospital is the Cincinnati Children's hospital. Through this partnership, I was able to contact the PhiDE representative at Cincy Children's and arrange the logistics of creating and dropping off the craft kits.  These craft kits included glue and all the paper materials in a ziploc baggy which children can take out and assemble quickly and easily. 

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As a fraternity we focus on building relationships and a network with one another. Our "fraterhood" is very important to us, thus, we create social events as well. In December of 2021, we hosted an ice skating social at the Fountain Square Ice rink in downtown Cincinnati. This was our first official event. I learned to coordinate with other executive members, such as the VP of Finance to make sure the tickets were bought, everyone had a method of transportation, and the event went smoothly as a whole.

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In January of 2021, PhiDE held a leadership conference, where I was able to form a network of other PhiDE members. I met various physicians, residents, medical, and pre-medical students at this conference, many who I am still in touch with. One of the speakers, Dr. Jessica Walpole, was a resident speaking about the medical school application process. Her insight was very informative, as she sits on the medical school acceptance board at Ohio State University. I was able to speak with her, get her information, and invite her to present to our chapter a few months after the conference. This conference enabled me to build connections, learn more about the pathway to become a physician, and grow as a leader.

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Throughout our first year, we were seen as a "prospective chapter", one that was not officially considered a chapter but was on its way to become one. The CEO of PhiDE told us that without a minimum of 50 members, we would not be able to charter, or become an official chapter of Phi Delta Epsilon. We worked tirelessly to recruit members and create interesting programming to set us apart from other medical organizations. On April 30th, 2022, we were officially chartered as an official chapter! 

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