By Amanda Mlekush
The App State Beaver College of Health Sciences inducted seven health and wellness leaders into the college’s Trillium Society – a society honoring individuals and college advisory board members who have made significant contributions to the university, the college and their professions. The third annual induction event was held Oct. 25 at the Levine Hall of Health Sciences. (Image above shows all inductees, from left: Jane Fisher, Marisa Pharr, Kaaren Hayes, Chris Smith, April Moore, Vickie Beaver, John Roos with Dean Marie Huff; photo by Chase Reynolds).
“It’s inspiring to spend time with the award recipients and Trillium Society inductees who have dedicated their time and resources to make a difference with individuals in our communities, with our students’ education and future careers in health sciences and to make our region a better place,” said Beaver College of Health Sciences Dean Marie Huff, PhD.
The Trillium Society was formed in 2022 and named for the trillium plant, an indigenous three-petaled flower known for its medicinal purposes. The society features three tenets–Leadership, Innovation and Caring–that connect faculty, administration, students, alumni and friends of the college.
About the 2024 Trillium Society Inductees
Former BCHS advisory board members Vickie Beaver (2018-2024), Jane Fisher (2021-2014), Marisa Pharr ‘90 (2018-2024) and John Roos ‘84 (2012-2022) were inducted into the society and recognized for their board service. Beaver, along with three others, were selected to receive one of the college’s external awards.
The college recognized and announced the recipients of its annual awards for Emerging Leader, Inspiring Service and Distinguished Alumnus. Nominations for the awards are available online, and a committee made up of board members and college representatives selects the recipients.
The 2024 college award recipients include:
Emerging Leader Award – Dr. Chris Smith ‘16 ‘18, a two-time graduate of the App State Nursing program and a Nursing faculty member at UNC-Charlotte, received the Emerging Leader award. Smith is a first-generation college student and holds the distinction of being the first student in the App State Nursing program to complete a thesis and publish his findings as a graduate student in the MSN program. Smith is also the first Mountaineer nurse who was accepted into and completed a doctoral nursing program when he graduated from East Carolina University.
His nominator wrote, “Chris is a passionate mentor for students and believes in fostering growth in others. While he is early in his nursing education career, his potential is limitless. He is an excellent ambassador of Appalachian State and a great example of a Mountaineer nurse!” (Photo of Chris Smith by Chase Reynolds)
Inspiring Service Award – Vickie Beaver, healthcare executive, frequent mentor to App State health sciences graduates and advisory board member from 2018-2024, received one of the college’s Inspiring Service awards. Beaver, who along with her husband, Don, established the Beaver Scholars program, has already helped more than 53 undergraduate and graduate health sciences students with their educational costs.
Her nominator wrote, “ Despite the demands of being COO and President of Choice Management Services, Vickie has generously donated her time and resources to the college and the advisory board. She has also mentored numerous App State graduates in their healthcare careers.” (Photo of Vickie Beaver by Chase Reynolds)
Inspiring Service Award – Kaaren Hayes ‘96, longtime director of the Parent to Parent program of the High Country, was honored with an Inspiring Service award for her legacy of helping families and children in the region. Over the past 36 years, Hayes helped grow the outreach program that provides services to families with children who are neurodiverse, or with varying physical abilities or other medical conditions. The organization also helps parents coping with a child or infant loss.
Her nominator stated: “I can only imagine the number of people Kaaren has helped over the years! She is a lifeline and was there to connect me to other parents or to listen when my children were diagnosed with rare, incurable life-threatening diseases. I was heard, understood and cared for in my deepest times of sorrow.” (Photo of Kaaren Hayes by Chase Reynolds)
Distinguished Alumna Award – CEO of Amorem April Moore ‘01, was honored with the college’s Distinguished Alumna award. Moore, a graduate of the Health Care Management program, began working with Amorem as a hospice volunteer coordinator and was recently named the Chief Executive Officer of the organization that serves Ashe, Burke, Caldwell and Watauga counties with hospice and palliative care services.
Her nominator wrote, “April is an advocate for equitable healthcare access and emphasizes professional and ethical values to promote a culture of integrity at AMOREM. Her contributions have left an indelible mark on the university, state and the region.” (Photo of April Moore by Chase Reynolds)
2025 Trillium Society Nominations
Nominations for the 2025 Trillium Society award recipients will open in January 2025.
Group shot shows seven folks holding recognition plaques
Trillium Inductees Jane Fisher, Marisa Pharr, Kaaren Hayes, Chris Smith, April Moore, Vickie Beaver, John Roos; photo by Chase Reynolds).