Tri Sigma

The Robbie Page Memorial Fund is one way Tri Sigma chapters and members impact local children’s hospitals or health centers through Sigma Serves Children. Each year the Foundation awards local grants to therapeutic play programs nominated by an individual alumna, alumnae chapter or collegiate chapter. Grants range from $100 to $5,000. To nominate an organization, a chapter must work closely with the agency to develop their grant application.

Thanks to the generosity of Tri Sigmas and friends, the Foundation awarded 34 local grants for 2019-2020, totaling $129,992 in community support for children and families. This year’s RPM grants provide essential financial support within 20 different states. Additionally, grants were awarded to three organizations thanks to the partnership from individual alumnae – Lauren Pontiff, Gamma Pi; Jenny Watson, Beta Gamma; and Janell Weaver, Epsilon Eta.

Thank you to all the Sigma sisters who submitted an RPM grant application. The deadline for the 2020-2021 application will be April 30, 2020. For more information about applying for a local RPM grant, contact Chris Smithhisler at csmithhisler@trisigma.org.

2019-2020 RPM Grant Recipients

Akron Children’s Hospital

Funding for tactile, hearing, and visual sensory items for an inpatient unit

Nominated by Alpha Beta – Kent State University

Arkansas Children’s Hospital

Funding for Nurture Smart Mobiles to provide music and sensory stimulation for infants

Nominated by Alpha Omicron – University of Central Arkansas

Baystate Health Foundation/Baystate Medical Center

Funding for Baby Einstein Sea Dreams Soothers to ease the anxiety and Go Kart Kiosks for the Pediatric floor

Nominated by Gamma Iota – University of Massachusetts – Amherst

Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation

Funding for portable gaming systems to help develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, mental processing, and critical thinking

Nominated by Colorado Springs Alumnae Chapter

Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters

Funding for games to increase skill development, coordination and normalize the hospital experience

Nominated by Theta Eta – Old Dominion University

Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters

Funding for vinyl bouncer covers and infant bouncers to provide soothing during hospital stays

Nominated by Zeta Pi – Virginia Wesleyan University

Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh

Funds for play items for Activity Centers which provide normalization and diversion

Nominated by Alpha Pi – Clarion University

Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital

Funding for sensory items to support children through their procedures and tests and provide an alternate focal point to ease anxiety and increase coping

Nominated by Theta Zeta – Case Western Reserve University

Community PedsCare

Funding for technology resources to run the Unyte biofeedback software which helps patients learn to control their heart rate and reduce stress

Nominated by Jenny Watson

Cooper University Hospital

Funding for music therapy program to allow patients to make original recordings and items that allow children to more easily engage in the therapeutic activities

Nominated by Epsilon Epsilon – Stockton University

Franciscan Children’s Hospital and Rehabilitation Center

Funding for items to remodel the sensory rooms for patients to have a sensory-friendly space in which to play

Nominated by Epsilon Chi – Northeastern University

Geisinger Medical Center

Funding for tools and toys to help patients of all abilities cope with the preoperative, operative, and postoperative environments

Nominated by Janell Weaver

George Marks Children’s House

Funding for materials to document memories for the patients and their loved ones

Nominated by Epsilon Alpha – California State University East Bay

Hennepin Health Care

Funding for visual distraction items that can be used in the hydrotherapy rooms

Nominated by Zeta Eta – Winona State University

James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital

Funding for Xbox systems for the Pediatric Day Medical Unit and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit to provide children who are having extended chemotherapy infusions with diversion through play

Nominated by Gamma Xi – Barton College

Levine Children’s Hospital

Funding for materials to assist with end-of-life song recording and creation, and materials for behavioral health patients

Nominated by Delta Pi – Winthrop University

Maple Grove Hospital

Funding for a Touch2Play unit for children in the Emergency Department and play mats for each pediatric room in the Pediatric inpatient rooms

Nominated by Beta Pi – University of Wisconsin – Stout

Maricopa Integrated Health Systems/Maricopa Health Foundation

Funding for items for sensory relaxation, distractions, and education

Nominated by Phoenix Alumnae Chapter

Marshfield Children’s Hospital

Funding for a variety of musical items and panels for the hospital’s “Backyard Patio”

Nominated by Gamma Lambda – University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire

Medical University of South Carolina Children’s Hospital

Funding for a variety of items to create opportunities in the newly expanded hospital for patients to engage in creative, expressive, messy, dramatic and medical play

Nominated by Zeta Chi – Coastal Carolina University

Metro Health/University of Michigan Health

Funding for iPads to be used as distraction during procedures and education for patients and families about upcoming procedures.

Nominated by West Michigan Alumnae Chapter and Epsilon Gamma – Grand Valley State University

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt

Funding for a Touch2Play unit that will provide engagement and entertainment for children in the waiting area of the Pediatric Emergency Department

Nominated by Alpha Chi – Murray State University

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation

Funding for Nurture Smart Crib Mobiles to provide play therapy for infant patients receiving medical treatment and care

Nominated by Central Ohio Alumnae Interest Group

Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital

Funding for items to ensure the tiniest patients unique needs are being met for their growth and development

Nominated by Gamma Mu – Southeastern Louisiana University

Our Lady of the Lake Hospital

Funding for Child Life Department to support the growing needs of patients due to the recent hospital expansion with a total of 4 playrooms

Nominated by Lauren Pontiff

Prisma Health Children’s Hospital – Upstate

Funding for a variety of toys and games to engage children’s senses and help them cope with lengthy procedures

Nominated by Epsilon Pi – Presbyterian University

Seattle Children’s Hospital and Research Foundation

Funding for scrapbook tools and sensory toys to assist with self-soothing and imaginative play

Nominated by the Seattle Alumnae Chapter

St. Francis Children’s Hospital

Funding for items to provide normalization for extended stays and distraction from the stress of the hospital

Nominated by Alpha Iota – Northeastern State University

St. Jude Midwest Affiliate Clinic

Funding for two virtual systems that will allow the program to offer a diversion from diagnosis and help children cope with the diagnosis

Nominated by Epsilon Omicron – Illinois State University

Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Foundation

Funding for a bereavement cart, inkless hand and footprint kits, and other various tools to assist with the bereavement program in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Nominated by the Tallahassee Alumnae Chapter

University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital

Funding for Magic Leap One goggles for the play space to facilitate play interventions and distractions

Nominated by Twin Cities Alumnae Chapter

University of Virginia Children’s Hospital

Funding for baby dolls for medical play to normalize the medical equipment and supplies for bereavement photography

Nominated by Delta Chi – University of Virginia

Winchester Medical Center

Funding for therapeutic and sensory toys to help children see past their illness and feel like a “normal child” during their stay

Nominate by Beta Delta – Shepherd University

Wolfson Children’s Hospital

Funding for items to revamp the teen room

Nominated by the Northeast Florida Alumnae Chapter