Harkins hands board chairmanship to Pickett
By Sharee Lucius
JACKSON – When Nick Harkins agreed to serve as chairman of the St. Catherine’s Village Board of Directors in 2002, he never dreamed he would be instrumental in taking the small governing body to the beginnings of a major foundation. “foundation” wasn’t even a buzz word then, “service” to St. Catherine’s residents was the primary goal. Harkins had a personal interest in the facility due to the excellent care received by his mother, Mary Ruth Harkins.
“My mother was blessed to live at St. Catherine’s for many years until her passing in 1996,” said Harkins. “We saw firsthand the blessings one receives from being associated with this wonderful place, either as a resident or family member. It is truly a God-send for so many as it was for our family.”
Harkins proceeded to shape that board as well as the establishment of the original St. Catherine’s Village Foundation and its board. Over the years, the team decided the fundraising efforts of the foundation could be expanded to serve not only the St. Catherine’s Village Ministry, but St. Dominic Health Services as a whole.
As a result, St. Dominic Health Services Foundation, evolved in 2007 evolved as an outgrowth.
“Foundations must be started for the right reasons and then proceed with even higher aspirations, all of which must be for the good of others,” Harkins said. “You have to be careful that you have the right people on board and are focused on the right things. I feel that has been the case every step of the way. And, I have faith this focus will continue.”
Having “the right people” on both the St. Catherine’s Board and the new foundation board made his duties easier to fit into his busy schedule as a Jackson attorney.
“A genuine sense of goodness emanates from Sister Dorothea Sondgeroth, OP, and every leader and employee I have ever met,” Harkins said. “St. Dominic’s is blessed to have an outstanding administrative team and staff of physicians and healthcare professionals.
I am honored to have had the opportunity to serve St. Dominic’s and help continue its long legacy of providing compassionate healthcare to all Mississippians.”
In January 2009, a new chairman was named; however Harkins will continue to serve on the foundation board as well as the St. Catherine’s Village Board. This fact is of great consolation to Executive Director Jim Jeter, who called Harkins’ service “one of the most instrumental factors” in bringing the foundation to its current status.
“Nick Harkins is one of the most humble, unassuming men I have ever met,” Jeter said. “Through his quiet leadership, he has served as a steady guidepost that has helped us make the right decisions and move forward at the right pace. We are truly grateful for his years of service and so thankful he will continue as a board member.”
“Organized” is an adjective others use to describe incoming chairman George Pickett. A derivative of that word, “organization” is a word he uses himself to describe his plans for the role assumed from Harkins. Pickett plans to bring additional growth and structure to the foundation in order to allow St. Dominic’s to have a greater impact on the community.
“Foundations reflect the interests and mindset of the founders or in this case, St. Dominic’s health care ministry,” he says. “St. Dominic’s has always focused upon programs that support the mission of making a visible difference in peoples’ lives. Our interest is aligned with the St. Dominic’s mission to serve others, and that will be our predominant goal as we move forward.”
Pickett noted that prior to 2008, the foundation had benefited from operating in a more positive economic climate. Through his work in the financial services field, he understands firsthand the challenges of raising funds in today’s economy.
The environment does not have to deter the work of the foundation, Pickett says, but it does elevate the necessity of clearly communicating the contributions made by St. Dominic’s to our community.
“We have a strong board that includes experienced community leaders who have a record of getting things done, in the area of fundraising and otherwise,” Pickett said.
“We will remain sensitive to changing economic needs while committing ourselves to delivering the St. Dominic’s message and proven record of success. With that reputation and message, we can accomplish a great number of things.”
Jeter said Pickett’s pro-active attitude coupled with optimism will help develop the groundwork laid by Harkins and other board members over the years.
“George is an incredibly well-respected and astute businessman,” Jeter said. “He is also very methodical and has expressed a desire to grow the foundation to greater heights. He is the perfect person to move into this leadership role at this time.”
e its long legacy of providing compassionate healthcare to all Mississippians.”