Beebe Healthcare’s Past Board Chairs Honored with Portrait Reveal and Reception

Beebe Healthcare recently held a reception to unveil the portraits of Beebe Healthcare’s Past Board Chairs on Friday, December 15, in the lobby of the Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing. The Board of Directors has had 12 past Board Chairs over its rich 101-year history. Having all the past Board Chairs displayed and honored was a goal of Beebe Healthcare’s recent Board Chair, The Honorable William Swain Lee.

Current Board Chair David Herbert kicked off the event, alongside Beebe Healthcare’s President & CEO, Jeffrey M. Fried, by stating, “Thank you, Judge Lee, for your vision as we are honored and happy to celebrate the past and look forward to a bright future at Beebe Healthcare.”

Included in the portrait unveil of the 12 past Board Chairs are: James Beebe, Sr., M.D. (served 1927-1962); Otis H. Smith (served 1962-1973); James Beebe, Jr., M.D., (served 1974-1976); The Honorable Eugene D. Bookhammer (served 1976-1981); Halsey G. Knapp (served 1981-1983); Robert W. Tunnell, Sr. (served 1983-1988); Harry E. Derrickson (served 1988-1990); Walter J. Lehman, Jr. (served 1990-1993); Bhashar S. Palekar, M.D. (served 1993-1998); Joseph R. Hudson (served 1998-2005); Janet B. McCarty (2005-2010); and The Honorable William Swain Lee (served 2010-2017).

In response to the event and portrait unveiling, past Board Chair Janet McCarty shared, “I want to thank you; I am truly humbled and honored. Every Board Chair knows the challenges – but we came through this together and stronger. I appreciated the support I received from the executive staff during my time of service. Serving as the Chair of Beebe’s Board of Directors is one of the most meaningful things I’ve done in my lifetime.”

“After listening to all the wonderful tributes shared today by Mr. Fried and Mr. Herbert to each past Board Chair, it is a humbling experience to be part of such a forward-thinking community and focused group. I love Beebe and am proud to serve it,” reflected Judge Lee.

Photo Caption 1: (Shown left to right) David Herbert, Beebe Healthcare’s current Board Chairman; Bhashar S. Palekar, M.D.; The Honorable William Swain Lee; and Janet B. McCarty.

Photo Caption 2: Lynn Wilkins, Executive Assistant to Beebe Healthcare’s President & CEO, Jeffrey M. Fried, stands beside the newly unveiled portraits of the past Board Chairs at December 15 reception.

Photo Caption 3: The Honorable William Swain Lee expresses his thanks and reflections at the reception.

Beebe Healthcare is a not-for-profit community healthcare system with a charitable mission to encourage healthy living, prevent illness, and restore optimal health for the people who live, work, and visit the communities we serve. Beebe offers services throughout Southern Delaware, including a 210-licensed-bed medical center in downtown Lewes, a cancer treatment center, home care services, and outpatient facilities providing walk-in care, lab, imaging, and physical rehabilitation services. For more information on services offered through Beebe, go to Beebe Healthcare. To find out how Beebe Healthcare is creating the next generation of care for the community, go to Next Generation of Care.