Rebecca Ann Eiss

Obituary For Rebecca Ann Eiss

JEFFERSON, GA — Rebecca “Becky” Ann (Van Sickle) Dimitroff Eiss, an inaugural NAHQ Fellow, pioneering registered nurse, and a loving mother, mother-in law, and grandmother, passed away peacefully at home in Jefferson, Georgia, on July 3, 2026, at the age of 88. Known for her striking blue eyes, sharp intellect, love of family, and dedication to patient advocacy, Becky leaves a lasting legacy that transformed healthcare quality management on a national scale.

Born in Terra Alta, West Virginia, to David G. and Lucy R. (Gore) Van Sickle, Becky graduated from Lancaster High School (NY) in 1955 and the University of Rochester School of Nursing in 1958. She married James W. Dimitroff on November 28, 1958. Becky was widowed at age 33 and raised four young children on her own. She instilled in each of them a deep and abiding love of family, a strong work ethic, and steadfast commitments to friends and community.

She spent her first decade as a practicing RN at Strong Memorial, Corning, Hershey, and Good Samaritan Hospitals. In 1968, she joined Capital Blue Cross as a Utilization Review Coordinator and became the first female supervisor to serve the company. Her clinical expertise soon evolved into high level systemic reform and in 1975, she founded the Pennsylvania Association of Utilization Review Coordinators (now PAHQ). In 1976, she became a founding member and the very first President (1976–1978) of the National Association of Utilization Review Coordinators, laying the legal and operational foundations for what is now the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ). Her career-long dedication to patient safety earned her induction into the elite inaugural class of NAHQ Fellows. She later brought her leadership to other health care organizations and facilities before retiring from Athens Regional Hospital in 2003.

Becky lived in numerous communities across PA, NY, FL, and GA and was strongly committed to civic life. She was a Rotarian for many years, serving as the first female president of the Athens Rotary Club (2000) and as a two-year president of the Palmetto Rotary Club. She also served as a Girl Scout leader, a board member of the Palms of Terra Ceia Bay Community Development District, and a volunteer for Children’s Services of Manatee County among other community activities.

Becky was an avid golfer, an insatiable reader, and a trivia enthusiast. A passionate football fan, she loyally cheered for the Buffalo Bills and ran her family’s fantasy football league for many years.

She is survived by her four children, Jim (Michelle) Dimitroff, Katy (Jon) Fox, Tom (Sandy) Dimitroff, and Diane Dimitroff (John Hackman); seven grandsons, Levi, Tom, Greg, Jim, Dan, Alex, and Michael; and six great-grandchildren.

A celebration of her life will be held in Commerce, GA on Nov 7. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local Rotary Club, honoring her lifelong dedication to community service.

The Central Cremation Services staff considers it a privilege to support the family of Rebecca Ann Eiss during this time.

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