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TENNESSEE HEALTH CARE HALL OF FAME NOMINEE SISTER JULIANA BEUERLEIN
NOMINEE INFORMATION (2023)
NAME: Sister Juliana Beuerlein, D.C.
IS THE NOMINEE LIVING OR DECEASED: Deceased
EMAIL: gpope@ascension.org
COMPANY: Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent DePaul
PHONE NUMBER: 615.284.7415
ADDRESS: 102 Woodmont Blvd., STE 800, Nashville, TN 37221
NOMINEE BORN, LIVED OR WORKED IN TENNESSEE?: Born, Lived, Worked
Nominator Information
NAME: Greg Pope COMPANY: Ascension Saint Thomas
EMAIL: gpope@ascension.org
PHONE NUMBER: 615.481.0116
ADDRESS: 102 Woodmont Blvd., STE 800, Nashville, TN 37221
RELATIONSHIP TO NOMINEE: Devote; but no kinship
DESCRIBE THE NOMINEE: Sister Juliana Beuerlein, D.C., a native Tennessean whose career in healthcare was extraordinary beyond words, served as Administrator (CEO) for Saint Thomas Hospital in Nashville from 1980-1989.
Born in Lawrenceburg on June 21, 1921, Sister Juliana rose to lead Catholic Healthcare across Tennessee and the nation. She was a board member of the Tennessee Hospital Association, American Hospital Association, and Catholic Health Association of the United States. She was one of the very few women of her generation to serve on the Board of Directors for the Nashville Chamber of Commerce and was an early board member for Meharry Hubbard Hospital.
Arguably the most beloved administrator in the long history of Saint Thomas. Upon being missioned from Saint Thomas in 1989 the associates pleaded with her to let them erect a permanent marker in her honor or to name a part of the hospital for her. She declined, instead encouraging the staff and physicians to create a fund to provide for associates in times of need. The Sister Juliana Fund was established at the Saint Thomas Foundation. Over the past 34 years the fund has granted more than $7 million dollars to provide for urgent needs both small and great. Almost $2 million alone was granted to Saint Thomas associates and volunteers following the devastating floods of 2010.
In 1986 she was pictured on the cover of Modern Healthcare along with an extensive story on the acquisition of Middle Tennessee Medical Center in Murfreesboro in a 50/50 partnership with Baptist Hospital. It was the first and only such joint venture in healthcare history. How would Catholics and Baptists partner when neither had a majority vote? It was successful from day one and there was never a fight between either partner. A little known Tennessee healthcare miracle! She died in 2001 at the age of 79.
The health ministry founded by the Daughters of Charity in Tennessee celebrates its 125th Anniversary this year. It would be a fitting tribute to not only Sister Juliana but the hundreds of other Daughters who selflessly served patients from across our state for over a century. Their contributions to healthcare in our state are remarkable and inestimable.
Called by the local bishop in 1898, the Daughters launched Saint Thomas Hospital in Nashville. It followed a tradition of Catholic women religious providing healthcare in the state dating back to pre-civil war times. Back then, small groups of Daughters traveled around the country by stage coach and wagon train, establishing communities to build hospitals and clinics and establish other services for the poor. Sister Juliana set the state for the Daughters to establish a network of free clinics in middle Tennessee and later the creation of the nation’s largest pharmacy network for the poor, licensed and operating in 40 states and based out of Nashville.
Strengthened by their deep spirituality, the Daughters are a joyful community that lives, prays, and works together. They are “in the world but not of the world” (not cloistered), so it’s possible for others of us to work alongside them and be inspired. Like Sister Juliana did, most have advanced degrees and many operated complex healthcare systems, negotiated mergers and acquisition, provided spiritual guidance to doctors and associates, and or a gentle, caring and loving bed bath, whatever is needed at the time.
Most, including many Catholics, think of the Daughters of Charity as an order of nuns, but that’s not true. Nuns are women who make a perpetual vow of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience. The Daughters make these same commitments, but they do so every year on March 25, the feast of the Assumption. Their commitment is to simply and faithfully serve the poor for one year at a time. They’re always free to leave without needing the blessing of others to do so. Few do. Sister Juliana herself signed her name to the book of commitment 61 years in a row.
The Daughters in the U.S., have been involved in a process of systematically preparing the laity to take over their healthcare ministries here. The Daughters ended their 114- year residence in Nashville and passed the reins forever. But nothing can change the fact that their presence in Tennessee changed the course of healthcare here. Without them there would be no Saint Thomas and likely would not have been the Baptist Hospital, and possibly no HCA with its many descendants. Their gift to this state has been overwhelming and is well deserving of this high honor as represented by the person of Sister Juliana Beuerlein, D.C. a native daughter and beloved member of their community.
WORK EXPERIENCE/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Sister Juliana Beuerlein, D.C. Tennessee born, American hospital administrator.
Registered Nurse. Member board directors St. Mary's Medical Center, Evansville, Indiana, Middle Tennessee Medical Center, Murfreesboro. Fellow American College Hospital Administrators (committee on elections); Chairman, Tennessee Catholic Hospitals, Board Member, Tennessee Hospital Association, Board Member, Catholic Health Association of the United States, Nashville Chamber of Chamber Board of Directors, Board Member – Meharry - Hubbard Hospital.
Background: Beuerlein, Sister Juliana was born on June 19, 1921 in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, the daughter of John Adolph and Sophia (Held) Beuerlein. She joined the Daughters of Charity in 1941 and devoted the remainder of her life to serving the poor and vulnerable.
Education: Registered Nurse, St. Joseph';s School Nursing, Chicago, 1945. Bachelor of Science in Education, DePaul University, 1947. Master of Science in Nursing Education, Marquette University, 1954. Postgraduate work, St. Louis University, 1969.
Career: Operating room supervisor St. Joseph's Hospital, Alton, Illinois, 1945-1948. Director school of nursing and nursing service Providence Hospital, Waco, Texas, 1948-1956, St. Joseph's Hospital, Chicago, 1956-1962, assistant administrator, 1962-1963. Assistant administrator, St. Mary's Hospital, Evansville, Indiana, 1963-1965, administrator, 1965-1973, president governing board, 1965-1973.
Director school of nursing and nursing service St. Joseph's Hospital, Chicago, 1956-1962, assistant administrator, 1962-1963. Administrator St. Joseph Hospital, 1973-1981, president governing board, 1973-1975. Administrator Saint Thomas Hospital, Nashville, 1981-1989.
Director special development programs Providence Hospital,Southfield, Michigan, from 1989. Member governing board St. Vincent's Hospital, Indianapolis, 1969-1973. Member governing board St. Mary's Hospital, Milwaukee, 1974-1975, chairman, 1978-1979.
Member governing board Providence Hospital, Southfield, Michigan, 1975-1978, chairman governing board, 1977-
1978. Member Chicago Health Systems Agency, 1976-1979. Member governor board Saint Thomas Hospital, Nashville and Meharry Hubbard Hospital, Nashville.
President governor board St. Vincent Hospital, Birmingham, Alabama. Member American Hospital Association Commission on Nursing, 1980-1989.
Born: June 19, 1921. Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, United States. Died: April 5, 2001 (aged 79)
Education:
1945 St. Joseph's School Nursing , Registered Nurse
1947 DePaul University , Education , Bachelor of Science
1954 Marquette University , Nursing Education , Master of Science
1969 St. Louis University , Postgraduate
Career:
1945 - 1948
Director special development programs, Providence Hospital Southfield, Michigan, United States
Administrator , St. Mary's Hospital administrator , St. Joseph Hospital
Operating room supervisor St. Joseph's Hospital Alton, Illinois, United States
1948 - 1956
Director school of nursing and nursing service , Providence Hospital
Waco, Texas, United States 1956 - 1962
Director school of nursing and nursing service , Providence Hospital
Chicago, Illinois, United States 1956 - 1962
Director school of nursing and nursing service , St. Joseph's Hospital
Chicago, Illinois, United States 1963 - 1965
Administrative assistant , St. Mary's Hospital Evansville, Indiana, United States
1981 - 1989
Administrator , St. Thomas Hospital Nashville, Tennessee, United States
PLEASE PROVIDE INFORMATION TO SPEAK TO THE FOLLOWING POINTS: During her presidency at Saint Thomas, Sister Juliana established an administrative internship. One of her mentees was JoAnne Pulles, now President of The HCA Foundation. Another, Dr. Michael Griffin, an alumni of Meharry Medical College, now oversees more than a dozen clinics serving the uninsured in New Orleans and southern Louisiana.
She indirectly mentored scores of Vanderbilt University Medical School physician residents during her tenure. One of those was Dr. N.S. Babu a beloved Middle Tennessee Cardiologist. Dr. Babu recounts the story of being at the end of a very long tiring call schedule. He was dead on his feet, but decided to make one last round on his patients in the ICU. One of his patients was actively dying. He was poor, had no insurance nor family or friends. When he entered the room late on a Sunday night he found Sister Juliana, the president of the hospital, in the room praying for the patient. Dr. Babu says, "My life was suddenly changed. My exhaustion and self-pity evaporated. The realization that she had dedicated her whole life to something that mattered most inspired me to do the same."
A nurse by training, she chaired the sub-committee on nursing for the American Hospital Association for more than a decade. Her leadership resulted in lasting impacts to the profession of nursing in hospitals and similar facilities throughout the country. The early concepts around nursing residency programs were incubated under her leadership.
The Daughters had operated many schools of nursing for many generations, Sister Juliana taught in these schools. She was far ahead of her time in almost every aspect of professional and career development.
Her dedication to education was never made more visible than her development of the Lawrence Grossman Center for Medical Education at Saint Thomas Hospital. Now the Curb Center for Advanced Medical Education, the center, when it opened in 1985 was one of the most advanced medical conference facilities in the nation. It had its own million dollar mobile Satellite uplink truck used to broadcast CME from to hospitals across the country, including the ability to broadcast live from the surgery suites. The center employed 10 professionals dedicated to producing cardiac focused CME for physicians and hospitals from coast to coast. The legacy of her work lives on through the Curb Center today.
Sister Juliana was a strong woman who thought clearly and spoke clearly. She was gentle, but never weak. Humble but never hid the story or allowed the value of interest to go unnoticed. Her character was truly unquestionable. If she did not have an answer to a problem it was taken to prayer and discernment among others, be it her Sisters or medical staff leadership. She was forever seen as a source of truth.
ANY ADDITIONAL ITEMS OF SIGNIFICANCE TO BE MENTIONED? We are fortunate to have a rich archive of photographs of Sister Juliana's work in Tennessee. A sampling of these images is included at the bottom of her curriculum vita attached below. These images along with staff and living Daughters of Charity who served alongside Sister Juliana would be happy to attend an induction and if needed, to speak about her life if video clips are needed.
One additional letter of support is still expected. It's a heartfelt personal letter from Gov. Lamar Alexander which may have reached the committee already. If not, we will work to get it to you as soon as possible.
Sister Juliana Beuerlein, DC (d. 2001)
Sister Juliana Beuerlein, D C Tennessee born, American hospital administrator Registered Nurse. Member board directors St. Mary's Medical Center, Evansville, Indiana, Middle Tennessee Medical Center, Murfreesboro Fellow American College Hospital Administrators (committee on elections); Chairman, Tennessee Catholic Hospitals, Board Member, Tennessee Hospital Association, Board Member, Catholic Health Association of the United States, Nashville Chamber of Chamber Board of Directors, Board Member – Meharry - Hubbard Hospital
Background
Beuerlein, Sister Juliana was born on June 19, 1921 in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, the daughter of John Adolph and Sophia (Held) Beuerlein. She joined the Daughters of Charity in 1941 and devoted the remainder of her life to serving the poor and vulnerable.
Education
Registered Nurse, St. Joseph's School Nursing, Chicago, 1945. Bachelor of Science in Education, DePaul University, 1947. Master of Science in Nursing Education, Marquette University, 1954. Postgraduate work, St. Louis University, 1969.
Career
Operating room supervisor St. Joseph's Hospital, Alton, Illinois, 1945-1948. Director school of nursing and nursing service Providence Hospital, Waco, Texas, 1948-1956, St. Joseph's Hospital, Chicago, 1956-1962, assistant administrator, 1962-1963. Assistant administrator, St. Mary's Hospital, Evansville, Indiana, 1963-1965, administrator, 1965-1973, president governing board, 1965-1973.
Director school of nursing and nursing service St. Joseph's Hospital, Chicago, 1956-1962, assistant administrator, 1962-1963. Administrator St. Joseph Hospital, 1973-1981, president governing board, 1973-1975. Administrator Saint Thomas Hospital, Nashville, 1981-1989.
Director special development programs Providence Hospital, Southfield, Michigan, from 1989 Member governing board St Vincent's Hospital, Indianapolis, 1969-1973. Member governing board St. Mary's Hospital, Milwaukee, 1974-1975, chairman, 1978-1979.
Member governing board Providence Hospital, Southfield, Michigan, 1975-1978, chairman governing board, 1977-1978. Member Chicago Health Systems Agency, 1976-1979. Member governing board Saint Thomas Hospital, Nashville and Meharry Hubbard Hospital, Nashville. President governing board St. Vincent Hospital, Birmingham, Alabama. Member American Hospital Association Commission on Nursing, 1980-1989. Member Board of Directors Nashville Chamber of Commerce, Tennessee Hospital Association and Catholic Hospital Association of the United States.
● Born
June 19, 1921
Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, United States
● Died
April 5, 2001 (aged 79)
Education
● 1945
St. Joseph's School Nursing , Registered Nurse
● 1947
DePaul University , Education , Bachelor of Science
● 1954
Marquette University , Nursing Education , Master of Science
● 1969
St. Louis University , Postgraduate
Career
● Director Special Development Programs , Providence Hospital
Southfield, Michigan, United States
● administrator , St. Mary's Hospital
● administrator , St. Joseph Hospital
● 1945 - 1948
Operating room supervisor St. Joseph's Hospital Alton, Illinois, United States
● 1948 - 1956 director school of nursing and nursing service , Providence Hospital
Waco, Texas, United States
● 1956 - 1962 director school of nursing and nursing service , Providence Hospital
Chicago, Illinois, United States
● 1956 - 1962 director school of nursing and nursing service , St. Joseph's Hospital
Chicago, Illinois, United States
● 1963 - 1965
Administrative assistant , St. Mary's Hospital
Evansville, Indiana, United States
● 1981 - 1989
Administrator , Saint Thomas Hospital
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
The 1980’s was a decade of very fast growth for healthcare in Nashville. Sister Juliana oversaw the expansion of Saint Thomas Hospital – more than doubling its footprint during her tenure.
March 3, 2023
Tennessee Healthcare Hall of Fame
2023 Selection Committee
℅ Kate Mosley
Belmont University
Re: Tennessee Healthcare Hall of Fame Nomination
Dear Friends,
It is a privilege to support the nomination of Sister Juliana Beuerlein, D.C. for induction into the 2023 Class of the Tennessee Healthcare Hall of Fame.
Sister Juliana and all Catholic sisters who helped lead and operate Saint Thomas beginning in 1898 are more than worthy of recognition as legends of healthcare in our state. Sister Juliana was an accomplished hospital administrator who was well known and respected in the Nashville community. She was admired by her peers and considered an expert in hospital operations, recognized for her steadfast support for physicians, staff, and patients - particularly those who carried heavy burdens.
I remember Sister Juliana’s warm relationship with Dr. Ike Robinson at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She was very collaborative – in an industry that is too often siloed and competitive – and wanted only the best possible care for patients and their families. Under her leadership major advances in cardiology and cardiac surgery benefited Tennesseans from across the state and far beyond. In partnership with Vanderbilt Medical School, she oversaw a successful residency program from which many great physicians in our community were trained.
Sister Juliana likely would not have permitted such a high honor during life. She was so beloved by the doctors and staff at Saint Thomas, where she served from 1981 – 1989, they wanted to name part of the campus for her as she was being sent to a new mission field. She refused, instead asking them to create a special fund to provide for staff who found themselves in financial hardship. She truly mirrored the humility of Chr ist. That’s not easy for anyone, even a nun!
In honoring Sister Juliana you would grant due recognition to the service rendered to our state’s citizens by the hundreds of religious women who founded and served in Catholic hospitals across the State of Tennessee for almost 200 years.
Thank you for your consideration of this most worthy recipient.
Sincerely,
Senator Bill Frist, MD
Former Majority Leader, U.S. Senate
Tennessee Healthcare Hall of Fame 2023 Selection Committee
℅ Kate Mosley
Belmont University
Re: Tennessee Healthcare Hall of Fame Nomination
Dear Selection Committee,
On behalf of the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, it is my honor to endorse the candidacy of the late Sister Juliana Beuerlein, D.C. for inclusion in the Tennessee Healthcare Hall of Fame.
The legacy of Sister Juliana, and the many faithful women who both preceded and followed, on healthcare in Tennessee is truly amazing. Reviewing the nomination material was enlightening and humbling. She was a remarkably dedicated individual who spent more than 50 years as a healthcare provider and administrative leader, doing so without personal compensation and driven by the purest motivation possible. She inspired at least two generations of doctors, nurses, and hospital workers.
Her commitment to the full flourishing of every individual is readily apparent. A strong supporter of medical education, she along with Dr. Lawrence Grossman built a multimillion-dollar medical education center at Saint Thomas Hospital in the 1980’s. It was the first health training facility in the country to have a satellite uplink allowing programs to be broadcast to Medical Schools and hospitals across the United States. The facility she built remains vibrant and active today as the Mike and Linda Curb Center for Medical Education.
Sister Juliana’s impact on the evolution of healthcare in Tennessee is significant. The foundations she built, helped develop, and inspired- whether in direct patient care, education, or systems of care- all benefit our communities to this day.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Chancellor
