Beebe unveils Rollins Center for Medical Education

Margaret H. “Peggy” Rollins and her family toured the recently renovated Shaw Building on the Beebe Healthcare campus that bears her name in Lewes.

Rollins used to work in the billing department in that historic building. Two of her six children were born at Beebe.

Now, her late husband’s name and photo grace the wall inside the Shaw Building’s main entrance. The Rollins family joined Beebe leaders July 3 to officially unveil the R. Randall Rollins Center for Medical Education.

“We celebrate the memory of ‘Triple R’ – R. Randall Rollins,” said Tom Protack, Beebe Medical Foundation president. “His passion for giving, his belief in the power of education and the power of healthcare is an inspiration for us all.”

The Shaw Building, named for Benjamin and Helen Shaw, recently underwent an inside-and-out renovation. It is now home to the center that houses offices and meeting space for Beebe’s third-year medical students, and its first- and second-year family medicine resident physicians.

“When I got here, there was one part of our family that we needed, and that was great medical education, because they go hand in hand,” said Dr. David Tam, Beebe president and CEO. 

A $3 million donation from the Rollins family’s Ma-Ran Foundation in 2022 helped fund the program.

“Both of my parents have enjoyed giving to organizations that provide a benefit to the Lewes community,” said Amy Kreisler, youngest daughter of Randall and Peggy Rollins. “Beebe hospital and the R. Randall Rollins Center for Medical Education will help many, and we as a family are proud to be part of that.”

Beebe’s nursing school was named for Peggy Rollins in 2011.

The Ma-Ran Foundation donated $10 million to Beebe in 2017, its largest philanthropic gift to date.

Christian Hudson, Beebe Medical Foundation board chair, said the foundation has raised almost $200 million since it was established in 1989.

He said the Sussex Supports Beebe Healthcare Campaign recently surpassed its $30 million goal and has now set a final-stretch goal of $40 million.