Serving Our Community since 1969

Frankie and her husband Charlie L. Byrd are originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, but after the birth of their daughter, they relocated to Sandusky to be closer to family. Frankie and Charlie have been married 66 years and have one daughter and three sons.

While working at Hills department store, Frankie had the urge to change careers. In 1969, Frankie applied and was hired to work at Good Samaritan Hospital. She started her career as an outpatient receptionist in what is now the Wound Care Clinic. She then continued her career in billing, processing Medicare, private insurance, and self-pay claims. In 2005, after 36 years, she finished her career here at Firelands as the manager of registration and communication. When she retired, she enjoyed volunteering for various organizations.

In 2016, Frankie attended a volunteer meeting for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. While speaking with the director of community outreach Frankie learned that Firelands was receiving a grant to hire two people to speak to the minority and the elderly community. She was offered the position and found out that the person that she would be working with was Roni Mehling, whom she knew as a child.

Frankie and Roni enjoy going out into the community to provide breast health education including promoting breast self-awareness. Frankie enjoys sharing with the community the importance of healthy lifestyles and being proactive in all matters of health. Frankie states that "the changes she has seen over the years have been excellent, and that even though change can be difficult, we all benefit from continued growth and knowledge”.