ARLINGTON, Va. — Renowned news correspondent, television host and producer Barbara Walters will serve as the keynote speaker for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation Dinner, which will be held on December 3 in New York City.

In its 16th year, the dinner and contributions from the NACDS Foundation’s benefactors help support evidence-based research that advances patient care, pharmacy education, student scholarships and charitable organizations that improve patient outcomes.

The annual dinner, which this year will be held at the Sheraton New York Times Square, is an event at which industry leaders and others gather to advance the foundation’s work to improve the future of patient care through partnerships and ­innovation.

“Throughout her career, Barbara Walters has given viewers new perspectives on the fascinating leaders and luminaries she has interviewed,” said NACDS Foundation president Kathleen Jaeger. “Her ability to bring a truly personal approach to the news helped her to emerge as one of the most highly respected journalists in television history.”

A native of Boston, Walters’ television career spans more than five decades. She has interviewed every American president and first lady since Richard Nixon.

Walters appeared on NBC’s “Today Show” for 15 years. She began as a writer on the show and within a year became a reporter at large. In 1963 she became a co-host of the program without the official title, but in 1974 NBC officially designated her as the show’s first female co-host.

In 1976 Walters joined ABC News as the first woman to co-host the network news. Likely best known for her career with the ABC network, Walters was co-host and chief correspondent of ABC News’ “20/20” for 25 years, and was creator, co-owner, executive producer and co-host of the network’s “The View” until her official retirement from ABC this May.

Her address to the foundation will precede a December 14 special on ABC that will feature interviews of those she has selected as this year’s “most fascinating people.’’