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Meet Our Board
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
The Alabama Nurses Foundation is guided by a dedicated board of directors committed to advancing the nursing profession across our state. Representing a diverse range of experience in healthcare, education, and leadership, our board members work together to support scholarships, promote public health initiatives, and empower Alabama’s nursing workforce.
PRESIDENT
John G. Beard, MBA/JD
John Beard is the former Chairman and President of Alacare Home Health & Hospice, the largest home health care provider in the state, and has been a strong advocate for nursing throughout his career. He has served on advisory boards for multiple nursing schools and was inducted into the Alabama Nursing Hall of Fame. John and the Beard family continue to support nursing education and workforce development through philanthropy, leadership and advocacy.
VICE-PRESIDENT
Dr. Constance Smith Hendricks, DNP, RN, MSN, FAAN
Dr. Hendricks is a nationally recognized nurse educator with over four decades of experience across PWIs and HBCUs. She is a pioneer in fostering diversity, student empowerment, and community health, and holds numerous leadership roles in nursing and civic organizations. The first African American to earn a Ph.D. in Nursing from Boston College, Dr. Hendricks is also a published researcher and health empowerment theorist.
TREASURER
Frankie Wallis, DNP, MSN, MA, RN NP-C, NEA-BC, COI,
Dr. Wallis is Associate Vice President and Senior Director of Emergency Services at UAB Hospital in Birmingham, AL. Dr. Wallace has extensive experience in emergency, critical care, and psychiatric nursing. A dedicated educator and lifelong learner, he is also a leader within ASNA and an advocate for professional development and service in nursing. He has served as a professor and continues to mentor emerging nurse leaders.
SECRETARY
Charlene M. Roberson, MEd, NPD-BC, RN-BC
Charlene Roberson brings a wealth of experience in nursing administration, education, and psychiatric-mental health nursing. She is passionate about mentoring and leadership development and has served on numerous professional and community boards. Charlene is also an ANCC reviewer and an advocate for nonprofit board service.
Katherine Tierney
Katherine Tierney is a retired Vice President and Senior Distribution Director at Protective Life, where she led transformational change in operations and customer relations internationally. A graduate of the University of Richmond and the University of Edinburgh, she is active in civic organizations and passionate about healthcare access and supporting the nursing profession through scholarship and advocacy.
Dr. Sarah Wilkinson-Buchmann, DNP, RN
Dr. Sarah Wilkinson-Buchmann, former ASNA President, brings 23 years of experience in nursing, education, and healthcare leadership. She is currently the Primary Care Nurse Manager for multiple VA clinics in North Alabama, serving nearly 40,000 veterans per year. A passionate advocate for professional development and critical care, she is also an active equestrian and family-focused leader.
Lydia Clifton Pickett, BS
Lydia Pickett is a seasoned nonprofit leader skilled in strategic planning, leadership development, and organizational facilitation. She coordinates services for the homeless through the Homeless Coalition and is passionate about supporting nurses through collaboration, compassion, and capacity building. Lydia believes in the power of collective action to uplift the nursing profession and support its impact on urban and rural communities.
Dr. Rebecca Huie, DNP, NEA-BC
Dr. Rebecca Huie is Director of Primary Care at the Birmingham VA, overseeing multiple outpatient clinics and leading initiatives in leadership development and quality improvement. With over 25 years in nursing, she is a published leader and national committee member, dedicated to elevating nursing practice and care for veterans. Dr. Huie is also a Lean Six Sigma Blackbelt and VHA Change Management Practitioner.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dr. John Ziegler, DMin., MA, BS
Dr. John Ziegler is Executive Director of the Alabama Nurses Foundation and former Executive Director of the Alabama State Nurses Association. During his ten years with ASNA, he was elected by his peers nationally for a three-year term on the Executive Advisory Council of the American Nurses Association Board of Trustees. With more than 40 years in public relations and government affairs, he is devoted to growing the Foundation’s reach to support nursing scholarships, practice grants, and emergency relief funding for student nurses with critical needs. His leadership continues to shape the future of nursing support in Alabama.