Karen Pickard receives first Nursing Philanthropy Award from Beebe Medical Foundation
Beebe Medical Foundation presented Karen Pickard, MSN, RN, CNE, with the first Nursing Philanthropy Award at the recent Nursing Excellence Awards ceremony in May.
Pickard, the Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing program administrator, was honored for her leadership and dedication, according to Beebe Medical Foundation President and CEO Judy Aliquo, CFRE.
“Under Karen’s leadership, the Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing educates the best nurses,” said Aliquo. “Many are thrilled to join the Beebe team after graduation. We consistently have the highest NCLEX Pass Rate – for the nursing licensure exam – in the state. This is only possible with excellent teachers as well as extraordinary clinical experience at Beebe. Karen is a true Beebe Believer. She and her husband Tom are proud members of the 1916 Club. We are grateful for the support of many nurses, like Karen, who give back to Beebe, the place they work and love.”
The Nursing Philanthropy Award is given to a nurse whose career and service to the community embody several or all of the following criteria: Nominees have been recognized by grateful patients through the Celebrate Excellent Care program. Nominees attend or volunteer at Beebe Medical Foundation events and/or have organized a fundraising event benefitting the Beebe Medical Foundation. Nominees are active donors, Giving Hands Society members, or 1916 Club members and are willing to speak with donors about philanthropy.
“We are thrilled to honor Karen for her partnership with the foundation,” said Aliquo. “Karen was recently honored by the Rollins family’s Ma-Ran Foundation with the $1 million endowment to support professional development for the School of Nursing faculty. Each year, Karen provides an update to the contributors to the school about the exciting happenings at the school.”
Pickard’s philanthropy has extended beyond working with the foundation to award scholarships. A few years ago, Pickard helped create the Margaret H. Rollins Philanthropy Award to recognize outstanding students who have given back to Beebe and the community.
“I am humbled by this honor and all that the Beebe Medical Foundation does for the school of nursing and Beebe Healthcare,” Pickard said. “The school of nursing faculty’s goal is to produce the highest-quality graduates, and the foundation’s hard work assists in making that possible every year. I am happy to be able to give back to such an amazing group.”
