Michael Givens has been named chief operating officer at St. Bernards Medical Center.
Givens has served in various capacities at St. Bernards since 2001. Most recently he was vice president for patient services. He joined St. Bernards as director of patient care services and has risen though the administrative ranks.
As COO he will be responsible for planning, organizing and directing operations at the 438-bed acute care medical center, which serves as a referral center for a 23-county area in Northeast Arkansas and Southeast Missouri.
“Michael has provided progressive leadership over the past eight years within our organization and throughout the community we serve,” said St. Bernards Administrator Chris B. Barber. “His steadfast executive skills will continue to enhance the delivery of healthcare in the region.”
A graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, Givens holds a bachelor’s degree in administrative management as well as a master’s degree in business administration and healthcare management from Harding University in Searcy. He holds fellow status in the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE).
He is a graduate of the 2004 class of Leadership Jonesboro and has been active in numerous professional and civic organizations. He was recognized by the ACHE when he received that group’s Early Career Healthcare Executive Regent’s Award in 2006 at the annual meeting of the Arkansas Hospital Association. The award acknowledges significant contributions toward achievement of the goals of the ACHE and the advancement of healthcare management excellence.
At St. Bernards Givens served as director of patient care financial operations from 2001 until 2002. He was named assistant vice president for patient care services in 2002 and served in that capacity through 2005. In 2006 he was named vice president of patient care services. Prior to joining St. Bernards, Givens worked with HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospitals.
Professionally, he holds membership in the Arkansas Health Executives Forum and serves as a member of the Arkansas Regent’s Council as well as on that group’s board.
He has been active in the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce, having served as a board member since 2007 and as a Leadership Link member. He also has worked on the chamber’s governmental affairs committee and as chairman of the chamber workforce development committee.
Givens has been active in work of the United Way of Northeast Arkansas as well. A board member since 2004, he is a regional impact committee member and is a past campaign chair as well as past chair of the long range planning committee and board of directors. In addition, he serves on the advisory board of Hispanic Community Services for Northeast Arkansas and on the board of the St. Bernards Development Foundation.
He was recognized by the publication Arkansas Business as one of Forty under Forty in the State of Arkansas in 2009.
Givens and his wife, Ashleigh Short Givens (formerly of Paragould), have two sons, John Mark, who is 3 years of age, and Jace Asher, 1. They are active members of Southwest Church of Christ, where Givens serves as a ministry team leader. Originally from Fayetteville, he has taken part in and led numerous international mission trips to Europe and Central and South America. He is chairman of the international missions committee at Southwest.
Since 1900 St. Bernards Medical Center has served as the region’s trusted provider of comprehensive, compassionate healthcare. With dedicated and experienced employees, advanced technology and the region’s largest medical staff, the not-for-profit medical center delivers true community healthcare while focusing on quality, safety, cost control, service and diversity.