I’m proud to be a part of the excellent training Beebe Healthcare provides to future nurses in Sussex County, and to celebrate Nurses Week (May 6-12) and Month.

The Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing is celebrating 102 years of providing compassionate, evidence-based nursing education right in Lewes. The school remains the only hospital-based diploma program in Delaware, and IT consistently ranks as the No. 1 nursing program in the state. The School of Nursing was first established in 1921 when a local girl, Ruth Mitchell, requested a course in nursing at Beebe Hospital. Through the efforts of Dr. James Beebe Sr. and his younger brother Dr. Richard Beebe, the Beebe Hospital Nurses’ Training School was established.

Over the course of the last 102 years, the school has evolved from an apprentice-type program to the present curriculum with well-defined outcomes and a detailed, systematic process for program evaluation. The success of the School of Nursing and its graduates is in large part due to overwhelming support from Beebe Healthcare and the local community.

Faculty members at the Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing are committed to excellence, always striving to develop themselves professionally in order to deliver an exceptional education for our students. Philanthropic efforts made the state-of-art educational facility we see today become a reality in 2015. As the nursing program continues to grow in order to meet the demands of the healthcare workforce, community support remains the catalyst that promotes innovative teaching and learning for our students and faculty.

I’m proud to celebrate all our nurses at Beebe Healthcare, those who have learned at our School of Nursing and the RNs throughout the state. But I would like to highlight one tenured faculty member who exemplifies innovation, leadership and community involvement:Terri Wyatt, our simulation and technology faculty coordinator.

Terri recently retired from the School of Nursing after 47 years of service to Beebe Healthcare. Her tenure at Beebe Healthcare began in the business office and progressed to staff nurse and charge nurse positions on labor and delivery, and in the newborn nursery. She then became a full-time faculty member at Beebe School of Nursing in 1986. Terri has a legacy of caring and devotion to helping others; she’s always willing to take time to help those with a need. Just ask any student who has been the recipient of countless hours she has spent coaching them and helping them learn in subjects ranging from math to obstetrics concepts and professional writing.

Terri has been a role model, well respected for her knowledge, professionalism and commitment to serving others. She has truly been a pillar in nursing and nursing education, and all during her almost 50 years at Beebe Healthcare. As she enters the next chapter of her life in retirement, we want to recognize her for the hundreds of student nurses she has inspired in the classroom, at the patients’ bedside, and out in the community to provide excellent care. Whether leading and coordinating Beebe’s annual Walk to Remember for Perinatal Loss, announcing and keeping score on the softball field at the Senior League Softball World Series, or adopting families in need during the holidays, Terri is always using her personal gifts of compassion, time and means to support others.

Beebe Healthcare and the Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing are proud to celebrate the years of excellent care with Terri Wyatt, MSN, RNC-LRN, GC-C, CPLC, CHSE, CNE.

As a community-based, not-for-profit healthcare system, Beebe Healthcare depends on the generous support of the community it serves. To make a gift to celebrate the excellent care you or a loved one has received, visit Beebe Medical Foundation at beebemedicalfoundation.org or call 302-644-2900. Want to share your story? Contact Amanda Neal at aneal@beebehealthcare.org.