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Alabama Nurses Foundation
Supporting the nurses of tomorrow takes a strong foundation.
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The Alabama Nurses Foundation Supports Nurses Through Three Primary Objectives:
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Scholarship
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Research
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Resilience
ABOUT US:
The Alabama Nurses Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization that was established in 1984 for the purpose of serving the nursing profession in the state through educational supports, research grants and benevolent assistance to nurses in crisis.
Over the years, the ANF has provided scholarships related to nursing education and community grants for qualifying projects initiated by nurses.
In 2015 the “Nurses Save Lives” specialty auto license tags were approved by the Alabama Legislature and the popularity of the tags has grown every year in significant proportions.
Consequently, the ANF has been able to increase scholarship awards and will be adding new programs for research grants and benevolence assistance to nurses.
Find out how to get your own specialty auto license tag supporting Alabama's nurses.
Meet our Board
John G. Beard, MBA/JD
Mr. Beard earned his BS in Business Administration from Auburn University in 1972 and a Masters in Business Administration at Samford University in 1976. That same year, Mr. Beard earned a Juris Doctorate degree at Cumberland School of Law. From November of 1976 to July 1, 2019, Mr. Beard was employed by Alacare Home Health Care, Inc., a Medicare and Medicaid certified Provider of Home Health Care and Hospice services. He served as Alacare's Chairman and President.
Among his honors, Beard was selected by the Birmingham Business Journal to be in its initial 2002 class of “The Birmingham Top 100 in HealthCare." He was selected by the Alabama State Nurses Association as its 2006 Outstanding Non-Member and is the recipient of ASNA 2010 D.O. McCluskey Award given to a healthcare administrator who has demonstrated outstanding support of nurses and nursing during the past year. In October 2017, Beard was inducted into the Alabama Nursing Hall of Fame.
Currently, Beard serving Board of Visitors of the University of Alabama’s Capstone College of Nursing, The Community Advisory Board of The Auburn University School of Nursing, The Community Advisory Boards of the UAB School of Nursing and The UAB Center for Palliative & Supportive Care, and on the Board of Visitors of the Jacksonville State University School of Nursing.
On July 1, 2019, Alacare sold it provider operations to Encompass Health - Home Health and Hospice. He also serves as Chairman of Alabama Home Health Services, a 501(c)(3) d/b/a The Hospice and Home Health Fund of Alabama.
Among his honors, Beard was selected by the Birmingham Business Journal to be in its initial 2002 class of “The Birmingham Top 100 in HealthCare." He was selected by the Alabama State Nurses Association as its 2006 Outstanding Non-Member and is the recipient of ASNA 2010 D.O. McCluskey Award given to a healthcare administrator who has demonstrated outstanding support of nurses and nursing during the past year. In October 2017, Beard was inducted into the Alabama Nursing Hall of Fame.
Currently, Beard serving Board of Visitors of the University of Alabama’s Capstone College of Nursing, The Community Advisory Board of The Auburn University School of Nursing, The Community Advisory Boards of the UAB School of Nursing and The UAB Center for Palliative & Supportive Care, and on the Board of Visitors of the Jacksonville State University School of Nursing.
On July 1, 2019, Alacare sold it provider operations to Encompass Health - Home Health and Hospice. He also serves as Chairman of Alabama Home Health Services, a 501(c)(3) d/b/a The Hospice and Home Health Fund of Alabama.
Constance Smith Hendricks, PhD, RN, FAAN
This Selma native has been a nurse educator at several nationally recognized programs over the past 48 years (the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing; Tuskegee University, Auburn University, University of South Carolina, Southern University A & M College- Baton Rouge, Hampton University, Kentucky State University, Concordia College Alabama, Wallace Community College, Chamberlain University and the University of Montevallo). Whether a PWI or an HBCU, she has forged efforts to foster diversity among faculty and students while fostering them to experience a positive change during her tenure at each institution of higher education. She introduced new student organizations and experiences to enhance the scholarship of both students, faculty & staff. Each community where she resided also experienced numerous opportunities to improve the health status through innovative programming that fostered health promotion. She exhibits the keen skills of collaboration and partnership by bringing unlikely players to the same table to focus on a common goal. Dr. Hendricks demonstrates
extraordinary leadership within her organizations (Alabama State Nurses Association, American Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau International, Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc, National Sorority Phi Delta Kappa, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., National Black Nurses Association, Order of Eastern Stars, National Council of Negro Women, Toastmasters International, and The Links, Incorporated).
Dr. Hendricks is a proud K-12 graduate of Trinity Lutheran and the Alabama Lutheran Academy, graduating as the class of 1971 Valedictorian. She holds a BSN and MSN from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and was the first African American to complete a Ph.D. Nursing program from Boston College. She also holds a graduate certificate in Gerontology, is a W. K. Kellogg Fellow, and is a funded nurse researcher & scientist. Dr. Hendricks has developed, copyrighted, and published a mid-range
health promotion empowerment theory, The Hendricks Perceptual Health Promotion Determinants Model©, is the author of 30+ articles and has presented over 150 papers locally, nationally, and internationally concerning issues related to nursing, health promotion, and self-empowerment as well as applying Christian principles in daily living. Dr. Hendricks is a trained parliamentarian, a certified Life Coach, a certified Parish Nurse, a Distinguished Toastmaster, a Notary, and most recently, a Licensed Funeral Director.
Her mantra remains: To whom much is given, much is required! Whether in a leadership position or a mere member, each organization experienced a positive change because she was their member or leader. Hence, she seems to have that 'change for the better.... touch!'
extraordinary leadership within her organizations (Alabama State Nurses Association, American Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau International, Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc, National Sorority Phi Delta Kappa, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., National Black Nurses Association, Order of Eastern Stars, National Council of Negro Women, Toastmasters International, and The Links, Incorporated).
Dr. Hendricks is a proud K-12 graduate of Trinity Lutheran and the Alabama Lutheran Academy, graduating as the class of 1971 Valedictorian. She holds a BSN and MSN from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and was the first African American to complete a Ph.D. Nursing program from Boston College. She also holds a graduate certificate in Gerontology, is a W. K. Kellogg Fellow, and is a funded nurse researcher & scientist. Dr. Hendricks has developed, copyrighted, and published a mid-range
health promotion empowerment theory, The Hendricks Perceptual Health Promotion Determinants Model©, is the author of 30+ articles and has presented over 150 papers locally, nationally, and internationally concerning issues related to nursing, health promotion, and self-empowerment as well as applying Christian principles in daily living. Dr. Hendricks is a trained parliamentarian, a certified Life Coach, a certified Parish Nurse, a Distinguished Toastmaster, a Notary, and most recently, a Licensed Funeral Director.
Her mantra remains: To whom much is given, much is required! Whether in a leadership position or a mere member, each organization experienced a positive change because she was their member or leader. Hence, she seems to have that 'change for the better.... touch!'
Charlene M. Roberson, MEd, NPD-BC, RN-BC
Charlene has experience in nursing administration, education and practice. Her most recent focus has been mentoring and leadership development. She maintains current clinical practice in psychiatric-mental health nursing. Previous board of directors membership include various professional organizations – both nursing and allied health. In addition she has served on a number community boards. Her greatest interest for board membership is the not for profit sector. In addition she has served as an ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center) reviewer.
Frankie Wallis, DNP, NP-C
Frankie began his nursing career at Coosa Valley Medical Center in Sylacauga, AL. Currently, he is the Sr. Director of Emergency Services at University Hospital in Birmingham, AL. His extensive experience includes emergency care, ICU, trauma, Cath lab, psychiatry/behavioral health, nursing administration, and education.
Frankie completed his Master of Science in Nursing at Jacksonville State University with a concentration in Community Health and Leadership. He later completed the MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Samford University. Post-doctoral, Frankie completed his Fellowship in Interprofessional Practice as well as his certificate in Healthcare Management.
Frankie is committed to the idea of serving the communities in which he works. He also has a passion to continue learning in everything he does. This is part of the reason he joined ASNA.
Frankie completed his Master of Science in Nursing at Jacksonville State University with a concentration in Community Health and Leadership. He later completed the MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Samford University. Post-doctoral, Frankie completed his Fellowship in Interprofessional Practice as well as his certificate in Healthcare Management.
Frankie is committed to the idea of serving the communities in which he works. He also has a passion to continue learning in everything he does. This is part of the reason he joined ASNA.
Lindsey Harris, DNP, FNP-BC
Lindsey began her nursing career at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital. She had the opportunity to work in the RN internship program as a staff nurse where she gained a great deal of experience as she worked in various parts of the hospital, including women’s health, psychiatry, and general medicine.
She completed the Master of Science in Nursing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a concentration in Family Practice. Lindsey also completed the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2016. She is currently working as an Inpatient Glycemic Control Nurse Practitioner on the Inpatient Glycemic Management team within the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital.
Lindsey is also actively involved in working within the community as the immediate past President of the Birmingham Black Nurses Association. In 2020, she was installed as the first person of color to be named President of the Alabama State Nurses Association in its 109-year history. As President of ASNA Dr. Harris has an important seat on the ANF Board of Trustees.
She completed the Master of Science in Nursing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a concentration in Family Practice. Lindsey also completed the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2016. She is currently working as an Inpatient Glycemic Control Nurse Practitioner on the Inpatient Glycemic Management team within the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital.
Lindsey is also actively involved in working within the community as the immediate past President of the Birmingham Black Nurses Association. In 2020, she was installed as the first person of color to be named President of the Alabama State Nurses Association in its 109-year history. As President of ASNA Dr. Harris has an important seat on the ANF Board of Trustees.
John Ziegler DMin., MA, BS
Dr. Ziegler served as Executive Director of ASNA from 2012 January of 2022. He retired from ASNA to devote his time entirely to the mission of the ANF. He has more than 40 years of experience in marketing and public relations in both the corporate and non-profit/government sectors. Before joining ASNA in 2012, he served as Public Information Officer for the Alabama Department of Mental Health.
My desire is to see the income and distribution funding streams for the Foundation continue to grow and provide nursing scholarships, nursing practice research grants and nurses in need crisis assistance following natural disasters that impact nurses who were serving as first responders.
My desire is to see the income and distribution funding streams for the Foundation continue to grow and provide nursing scholarships, nursing practice research grants and nurses in need crisis assistance following natural disasters that impact nurses who were serving as first responders.
Lydia Clifton Pickett, BS Mgt.
Lydia is an experienced management professional with a successful history of working in the nonprofit sector. Skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Event Planning, Strategic Planning, Leadership Development, and Program Development, Board Training, and Management or Employee Retreat/Planning Facilitation. Strong program and project management professional with a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce & Business Administration (General Management) from The University of Alabama.
In her role with the Homeless Coalition, Lydia works with multiple agencies to coordinate healthcare, day habilitation and residential resources for the homeless. In doing so, she has interacted with nurses of almost every specialty, especially emergency department and mental health nurses.
I see the Alabama Nurses Foundation as an organization that will expand its influence through collaboration with other foundations, corporate donors and individuals who want to strengthen the nursing profession by growing nurses and helping them through hard times. Nurses give their all to care for others and we need to show compassion and meet the needs of our nurses.
In her role with the Homeless Coalition, Lydia works with multiple agencies to coordinate healthcare, day habilitation and residential resources for the homeless. In doing so, she has interacted with nurses of almost every specialty, especially emergency department and mental health nurses.
I see the Alabama Nurses Foundation as an organization that will expand its influence through collaboration with other foundations, corporate donors and individuals who want to strengthen the nursing profession by growing nurses and helping them through hard times. Nurses give their all to care for others and we need to show compassion and meet the needs of our nurses.
Katherine Tierney
Early retirement as Vice President of Operations and Customer Relations of Protective Life Corporation. Skilled in developing new business through strategic partnerships, innovation and operational excellence. Graduate of the University of Richmond and the University of Edinburgh, Scotland; Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. Board member of the Oasis Counseling Center for Women and Leadership Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama. Member of Birmingham Rotary Club. Interested in supporting civic causes that better our communities and strengthen services to underserved citizens. Having access to quality healthcare services is paramount for our citizens. The nursing profession is the driving force to providing quality care. Devoting one’s time and experience to provide scholarships and assistance to nurses through the work of the Alabama Nurses’ Foundation would be an honor and privilege that I would take seriously.
Sarah Wilkinson-Buchmann DNP, RN
Dr. Sarah Wilkinson-Buchmann served as President of the Alabama State Nurses Association from 2018-2020, and often refers to herself as the “COVID President”. She has a well-rounded nursing and administrative background with 23 years of experience in the private healthcare sector, nursing education, quality management, physician practice management, and the Birmingham VA as a Primary Care Nurse Manager since 2015. Dr. Wilkinson-Buchmann has intimate knowledge of the complexities of healthcare and the challenges continuing to face the nursing profession regardless of the practice setting.
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