Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Dec. 15, 2024 – Physicians practicing at St. Bernards Medical Center awarded Dr. Utibe Ndebbio their 2024 Living The Mission Award, an honor given to a doctor who best represents the St. Bernards mission of providing Christ-like healing.

The award, announced Dec. 9 during the hospital’s annual medical staff meeting in the St. Bernards Community Room, involves a selective process that begins with nominations submitted by any of St. Bernards’ 4,700-plus team members. A selection committee pares the nominees to three before more than 200 physicians vote for a winner by submitting secret ballots.

Dr. Tasha Starks leads the team of Adult Hospitalist physicians at St. Bernards Medical Center. This team of more than 25 physicians, including Ndebbio, has led and directed patient care within St. Bernards Medical Center for the past 15 years. Starks said her entire team recognizes Ndebbio’s talents and gifts as a colleague and friend.

“He is compassionate toward his patients and all who he encounters,” Starks said. “He often checks on me when I feel I should be checking on him. Even when we encounter challenging circumstances, he is the epitome of grace under fire.”

Ndebbio joined St. Bernards in 2022. In only two years, he has earned a reputation for providing exceptional care. Starks said he makes sure that patients have their needs met, mentoring and equipping staff members to help meet those needs.

“The word ‘hospitalist’ itself literally means, ‘a person who practices or is concerned with sheltering the needy and the hosting of guests,’” Starks said. “Dr. Ndebbio embodies this definition, much like how St. Bernards, since 1900, has made its mission to care for any person who enters its doors.”

Born in the United States in Georgia, Ndebbio returned to his parents’ home country of Nigeria when he was young. He received his education and early medical training there, beginning his career in public health endeavors. He moved to the United States in 2019 to begin a medical residency at Mount Sinai Health System in New York. He finished his residency at North Alabama Medical Center before moving to northeast Arkansas.

Ndebbio lives in Jonesboro with his wife of more than 16 years, Ose.