Two top level administrative changes have been made at St. Bernards. Chris B. Barber has been named president and chief executive officer of St. Bernards Healthcare, and Michael K. Givens has been named administrator of St. Bernards Medical Center.
Barber will have oversight of all St. Bernards-associated entities.
On staff at St. Bernards Medical Center for 18 years, he served as administrator of St. Bernards Medical Center for the last seven years. He started at St. Bernards as quality coordinator in May of 1992 and rose through the leadership ranks, serving as an assistant vice president for clinical information services, vice president for information services, vice president and chief information officer and executive vice president and chief operating officer before being named administrator.
Born at St. Bernards, Barber is board certified in healthcare management and is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He has been active in the Arkansas Hospital Association, the Arkansas Health Executives Forum and the Arkansas Hospital Auxiliary Association. He has been recognized by ACHE as recipient of a Regent’s Senior Level Award.
Barber also has been active in community and civic groups, having served on numerous committees of the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce as well as having served as chairman of the Chamber board. He holds degrees in business and public administration from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and Arkansas State University, respectively.
He and his wife, Michelle, have three sons, and they are members of First Baptist Church, where he serves as a deacon.
Michael K. Givens has assumed responsibilities as administrator of St. Bernards Medical Center.
He has served in various capacities at St. Bernards since 2001, most recently as chief operating officer of St. Bernards Medical Center. He also has served as director of patient care financial operation, assistant vice president for patient care services and vice president for patient services.
As administrator Givens is 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.
Originally from Northwest Arkansas, he holds degrees in administrative management and business administration and healthcare management from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and Harding University in Searcy. He is a fellow in ACHE, is a member of the Arkansas Health Executives Forum and serves on the ACHE Arkansas Regent’s Council. He was recognized by ACHE as recipient of a Regent’s Early Career Award.
Givens has been active in the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce, having served as a board member and as a Leadership Link member. He has worked on several chamber committees, has been active in the United Way of Northeast Arkansas and serves on the advisory board of Hispanic Community Services for Northeast Arkansas.
Givens and his wife, Ashleigh, have two sons and are members of Southwest Church of Christ, where he serves as a ministry team leader.
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.
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