HJAR Jan/Feb 2020

DIALOGUE 12 JAN / FEB 2020 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS   “Catholics are a pretty small minority in ourarea, butnortheastArkansashasmany men and women of faith, and they value being in a healthcare setting where that faith is not only respected but shared.” can only offer at our flagshipMedical Center in Jonesboro, and for that we needed greater capacity. But the new tower is also about delivering the most up-to-date care with greater efficiency for staff and for patients. There are only so many things you can do to modify buildings from the 1950s or 60s to make them suitable for healthcare in 2019 and beyond, so new construction was imperative. I’m proud of the fact that our staff were able to give their input on how the new ICU and new surgical suites in the tower should be arranged. Everything is placed where it is readily accessible for our healthcare pro- fessionals who need to move quickly to give the best care possible. The new tower also takes into account the needs of visitors and family members more than the older buildings ever did. The new ICU in particular offers space for family members who want to stay with patients overnight and amenities such as showers. When it’s good for a patient to have a loved one near them, we want to make that pos- sible. The tower also has a new café, a large meeting room, and a new chapel. Obviously, the chapel is of special interest to the Sis- ters, but it will also be much more visible and accessible than the old chapel for visi- tors who need a quiet space for prayer or reflection. Editor What do you see on the horizon for St. Bernards Healthcare and the future of this ministry? Mother Johanna Marie Our mission will always stay the same because it’s rooted in the life of Jesus and the traditions of the Olivetan Benedictine congregation, but exactly how that mission is lived out will continue to change. St. Bernards was founded to meet the needs of the people of Jonesboro, and has continued to grow along with the wider community. We now have a presence in 23 counties in northeast Arkansas and southeast Missouri, and are ready to listen when people tell us where they are having trouble accessing care. The city of Jonesboro is growing, while many rural areas are declining in population, and St. Bernards wants to meet both challenges. That’s key; our expansion is driven by the needs of the people we serve. St. Bernards has grown from just the medical center to include a variety of services that would have been totally alien to our founding Sisters: retirement living at the Village, the Health and Wellness Center, Hospice House. If we stay true to our mission, then the St. Ber- nards of the future will be providing services that we can’t even imagine now. n