St. Bernards Healthcare recently received the highest honor bestowed by The Akansas Affiliate of Komen for the Cure, the Hickingbotham Award for Service.
The presentation was made at a luncheon in Little Rock on March 30.
The Arkansas affiliate recognized St. Bernards “for its exemplary work in ensuring women in the northeast part of the state have their breast health needs met. The not-for-profit healthcare organization has taken the lead in breast health for women in Northeast Arkansas through the breast center at the hospital, through the Women’s Mobile Unit and through other outreach programs.”
This marks the twelfth year that Komen has given the award. It is named in honor of businessman Frank Hickingbotham of Little Rock and his family who were founding sponsors of the Arkansas Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.
Known as a “hero and leadership award,” it can go to an individual or to an organization. In the past it has been presented to an individual who were volunteers who reach beyond professional interests to the interests and needs of the Komen Foundation and the cause of breast cancer; to an individual who has vision – the ability to look beyond and set goals beyond the immediate; to an individual who is a hero and has overcome adversity to make a significant contribution to the cause; to someone who is recognized for a single act that is so extraordinary that a single accomplishment or action eclipses all others; for a workhorse, someone who works all the time – perhaps over a period of years -- to make a difference; or to a business or organization.
“It is indeed an honor to receive the Hickingbotham for Service Award,” said Michael K. Givens, administrator of St. Bernards Medical Center.
“We have a wonderful team of healthcare professionals who are dedicated to providing the very best breast healthcare possible to residents of Northeast Arkansas. The team is passionate about supporting Komen and about increasing the awareness of breast cancer and the importance of screening and early detection.
“As a medical center.” Givens continues, “we made a commitment decades ago to be the leader in breast health in this area, and we continue to provide the very best in diagnostic and treatment services, with the only American College of Radiology accredited Breast Imaging Center of Excellence in the state.
“Our team of healthcare professionals works to provide the best in diagnosing, treatment planning and delivering care to women with breast cancer.
“We are pleased to support Komen in many ways, including sponsoring the St. Bernards Pink Warriors team that typically includes 600 or so women who take part in the Arkansas Affiliate’s Race for the Cure in Little Rock, sponsoring a fashion show – Runway for the Cure – annually to benefit Komen and encouraging local participation in Passionately Pink Day.”
In 2006 The Hickingbotham Award for Service went to Jane McDaniel of Jonesboro, a former vice president for marketing at St. Bernards who long has been a Komen supporter and who has been involved in numerous efforts to increase breast cancer awareness and to ensure that breast health services are available to Arkansas women.
At the same meeting Komen officials announced 23 grants totaling more than $1.25 million that have been made to Arkansas organizations. Two of those were awarded to St. Bernards -- $123,575 for the BreastAssured VII program and another for the Bringing Mobile Mammography to Your Community program.