Jonesboro, AR — (JonesboroRightNow.com) — July 9, 2025 — St. Bernards Healthcare hosted a book reveal ceremony on Wednesday, celebrating the hospital’s 125-year history.
“The Heart of Great Medicine: 125 Years of St. Bernards Healthcare,” written by Olivetan Benedictine Sister Johanna Marie Melnyk of Holy Angels Convent, chronicles the healthcare system’s history and mission. In her role at St. Bernards, Sister Johanna Marie serves as vice president of mission and ethics and as the archivist.
The ceremony’s guest speakers included Bishop Anthony B. Taylor of the Diocese of Little Rock, who wrote the book’s forward; St. Bernards vice president of marketing and public relations Laura Pickens, and Mother Mary Clare Bezner of the Olivetan Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent.
St. Bernards media relations manager Mitchell Nail opened the ceremony, saying the hospital impacted the lives of many people in one way or another.
“We had the absolute privilege of collaborating with Sister Johanna Marie for this book and her hard work has been… we’re talking about not only months, but years in the process,” Nail said.
“Sister Johanna Marie spent countless hours organizing our archives, digging into the past in researching not just within the hospital walls, but outside in the community, including resources like the Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library, in the Jonesboro Sun, and more. The book reflects her devotion to preserving the legacy and mission of St. Bernards,” Pickens said. “While Sister Johanna Marie led the way, the project was truly a team effort.”
The event also included a musical performance by St. Bernards faculty and legacies, Dr. Ben E. Owens Jr. and his sister Nancy Owens. The children of long-time hospital administrator and the organization’s first CEO, Ben Owens Sr., Owens Jr., now serves as an internal medicine and palliative care physician at the St. Bernards Clopton Clinic, while his sister works as a group fitness coordinator, instructor and personal trainer at St. Bernards Health and Wellness.
“Their beautiful performance not only sets the tone for our morning, but it holds a special significance as the children of Ben E. Owens, Sr., one of the individuals profiled in our 125th anniversary book,” Pickens said. “Their presence today reminds us that the legacy of St. Bernards continues through generations of service, compassion and dedication to this community.”
After the ceremony, several members of the Olivetan Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent gathered to sign the free copies of book for those in attendance. Sister Johanna Marie was unavailable for comment.