Emma Barksdale always knew that she wanted to be in health care.

“I love helping people improve their lives,” she says.

It’s no surprise, then, that Emma ended up as a nurse at Bon Secours St. Francis Health System. She rose quickly through the ranks. She was a staff nurse, a charge nurse and then one of the first African American head nurses. She recently retired from a 40-plus year career with Bon Secours.

“The Bon Secours St. Francis Foundation work has always resonated with my commitment to service and the community,” she says. “It’s always been my honor and privilege to support the Foundation in any way that I can.”

Throughout that career, Emma was diligent about donating. She still does even now in her retirement.

“My parents taught us that we needed to give back to the community and things that were endearing to our hearts,” she says.