At Ascension St. Vincent’s, we’re proud to honor those who uplift the nursing profession through service, compassion, and advocacy. Among those championing nursing excellence is Carol Wilder Pitman, whose remarkable journey from nursing student to philanthropist has transformed countless careers in Northeast Florida's nursing community.

Carol Wilder Pitman's story begins in the halls of St. Vincent's Nursing School, where she lived in Seton Hall alongside fellow students under the guidance of the Daughters of Charity. But her path took an unexpected turn. “About six months before I graduated, I fell in love with someone I had gone to school with, though we never liked each other at first! I ended up dropping out and starting a family,” Carol shared with a laugh. It was a detour driven by love, family, and ultimately, a different kind of calling.

After raising five children, Carol returned to nursing through Florida Junior College, eventually earning her RN and dedicating herself to pediatric care. Her journey led her to places like Hope Haven and Emergency Pregnancy Services, where she worked with young mothers, always guided by her deep compassion and her unwavering belief in the nursing profession. “I always loved being a nurse. That was my calling, and it still is.”

That love of nursing evolved into advocacy. As life evolved and the family business transitioned, Carol and Don found themselves in a position to give back with greater intention. Around that time, the late Bob Shircliff, a beloved community leader and longtime supporter of St. Vincent’s, invited the couple to lunch. “He said, ‘Let’s talk about how you can help,’ and that’s really where it all began,” Carol recalled. With his encouragement, the idea for a recognition program focused on honoring nurses with heart, not just credentials, began to take shape.

Together, Carol and Don established what would become the Carol Wilder Pitman Society for Nursing Excellence at Ascension St. Vincent’s. Rooted in Carol’s gratitude and love for the profession, the Society celebrates nurses who embody compassion, commitment, and the true spirit of care.

“What matters most is compassion and passion for the work,” Carol emphasized. “That’s who we aim to recognize, not just credentials, but heart.”

Understanding that healthcare is ever-evolving, the couple also created the Carol Wilder Pitman Nursing Endowment for Continuing Education in 2019. This fund supports conference attendance, certification efforts, and specialized training, ensuring Ascension St. Vincent’s nurses can grow professionally throughout their careers.

“Education doesn't stop at graduation,” Carol explained. “In healthcare, standing still means falling behind.”

To date, the Society has inducted 85 exceptional nurses, each becoming a beacon of excellence and mentorship. The recognition is deeply personal. “They send me the nominations and I just cry the whole time,” Carol admitted. “To see what their coworkers and administrators think of them, it’s powerful.”

When the Society began, honorees were surprised with a monetary gift. “It was like putting on your winter coat and finding a $20 bill,” Carol said with a smile. “One nurse told me she used the money to visit her mother during cancer treatment. That’s the feeling I want them to have, that this gift was truly meant for them.”

Though Carol humbly insists her story is “mundane” compared to the nurses she celebrates, her work has created a ripple effect. Her support nurtures a culture of compassion, excellence, and service across St. Vincent’s facilities, aligned perfectly with the core values of Service of the Poor, Reverence, Integrity, Wisdom, Creativity, and Dedication.

“When you support a nurse's education, you're not just helping one person,” she said. “You're improving care for every patient they'll touch throughout their career. That’s thousands of lives made better.”

Her legacy, rooted in gratitude, shaped by service, and sustained by generosity, continues to inspire. Carol Wilder Pitman’s story reminds us that investing in nursing excellence is investing in our community’s health and future.