NEA C-Suite: Chris Barber

How would you describe your company? St. Bernards is a community health endeavor, supported and sustained by the same communities we serve. The Olivetan Benedictine Sisters founded St. Bernards on July 5, 1900, in response to a malaria fever outbreak. These Sisters, who still sponsor our health care system 124 years later, opened a hospital in the heart of northeast Arkansas, establishing what would become St. Bernards Medical Center. 

Since that time, our growth remains intertwined with the region’s growth. We exist because of community support, and in turn, our mission is “to provide Christ-like healing to the community through education, treatment and health services.” Today, we have grown into a regional health care system that serves 23 counties in northeast Arkansas and southeast Missouri, forming deep roots that spread throughout our service area.

If you had $1 million to give, what would you support? Creating a $1 million endowment would help the St. Bernards Foundation provide additional health care resources, enhance access to care, expand service offerings and programming, and support innovative technologies to serve our communities better.

Do you think Artificial Intelligence (AI) can take jobs in your industry? AI will innovate and augment our ability to conduct work, coupled with the potential to enhance our respective skill sets. Because it has both ethical and unethical uses, we believe in knowing how to use AI to benefit patients, our organization and our community with appropriate guardrails. If used properly, AI can enhance our team’s ability to provide faster and better care to the individuals who need it most.

How significant to you is developing a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) culture within your organization? Our approach has been to treat all individuals with dignity and respect while advancing regional services and opportunities. Our team should reflect the communities we serve, and we make concerted efforts toward that goal. We recruit, train and develop the most talented and capable people of integrity who believe in our work and our mission. We prioritize team members as individuals, creating opportunities for them to succeed professionally and personally. In addition, various perspectives and thoughts enhance our organizational decision-making.

What are your thoughts on working from home? Working from home has its place in a rapidly changing environment. Remote work has proven effective in various support roles within our industry. Additionally, it offers purpose, flexibility and opportunities for meaningful contributions to accomplish the work as needed.

What’s your favorite movie? I grew up an avid football fan and am always partial to the sports drama “Remember the Titans” with the coach portrayed by Denzel Washington. 

What is the best business advice someone has ever given you? Be your authentic self and surround yourself with talented individuals who allow you to become the best version of yourself. As leaders, we must intentionally plan and position the organization well beyond our years.

Which skills do you think are most important when it comes to leadership? True leadership begins with unwavering values and personal integrity coupled with humility, mutual respect and understanding. It forms relationships and partnerships rooted in trust, intellectual curiosity, a growth mindset, listening, sound judgment, courage, and a decisiveness that fosters positive change.

If you could change one thing about your leadership style, what would it be and why? It is important to develop more patience with specific situations, individuals and decision-making. Each leader’s decision-making process and cadence can vary depending on the significance of the issue at hand. Experience has been a valuable teacher over time, providing perspective and sense-making.

What is the most used app on your phone? GW Mailbox GroupWise Client.