On staff at St. Bernards Medical Center for 18 years, Chris Barber 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.