Barry Makes Significant Contribution to Health Care Mission

Barry University’s Department of Theology and Philosophy is proud to share the achievements of two of our graduates and one current DMin candidate working in the health care industry. Alex Garvey, PhD, has been named Senior Vice President of Mission for Bon Secours Saint Francis Health System in Greenville, South Carolina. The Rev. Joseph Driscoll (DMin candidate) is Vice President for the Center for Ministry Leadership for Bon Secours Health System in Marriottsville, Maryland. Additionally, the department is happy to announce that Elizabeth Keith has been named executive vice president of sponsorship and mission integration for Dignity Health, one of the largest health care organizations in the United States.

Alex Garvey joined Bon Secours in December 2010 and has served as Vice President of Mission and Ethics for Bon Secours Hampton Roads, as well as the Mission leader for Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center, Harbour View, Maryview Nursing Care Center, and Province Place of Maryview. Garvey led the clinical ethics efforts for Bon Secours Hampton Roads and has provided leadership and guidance for ethical issues through education and training. He organized a number of ethics lectures in partnership with Old Dominion University and the Eastern Virginia Medical School. Garvey earned his Master of Arts degree in Practical Theology from Barry University and his doctorate degree in Ethics from Duquesne University.

In an email to the Department of Theology and Philosophy, Garvey expressed admiration for his time studying at Barry University’s Department of Theology and Philosophy. He said, “I think it’s important to note that the pinnacle aspect of securing a career with Bon Secours was my Master of Arts in Practical Theology from Barry. I will always remember Fr. Mark Wedig’s kind encouragement to ‘reach high’ and to ‘always look outside the box to discover ways in which God heals God’s people and to create pathways to enable this sacred ministry.’ With such a positive support, excellent facility and great education, the door to success was indeed open”.

Fr. Joseph Driscoll, a DMin. candidate at Barry University, has worked in national Catholic health care for the last 25 years. A consistent and passionate voice for lay chaplains within the Vatican and the U.S. Bishops, Driscoll was awarded the Outstanding Colleague Award last year on the 50th anniversary of the National Association of Catholic Chaplains for his work in this field. His current role as Vice President for the Center for Ministry Leadership for Bon Secours Health System focused on physician ministry formation, especially in ambulatory settings. The goal is to help physician practice staffs regularly set aside time for mission moments to reflect on how they are “good help” (the meaning of bon secours) in every encounter, every day in their practice settings. “This work of ministry formation,” he says, “is a journey from the head to the heart to the feet.”

Elizabeth Keith has been appointed as Executive Vice President, Sponsorship and Mission Integration at Dignity Health, one of the largest health systems in the United States. Keith joined Dignity Health in December 2015 and previously served as Senior Vice President of Mission at Bon Secours St. Francis Health System, where she led mission functions, programs and activities. Keith is a seasoned executive with a tremendous amount of experience assessing and advocating services for the working poor. As Executive Vice President of Mission Integration at Dignity Health, Keith will work with religious sponsors to incorporate mission to bishops and other Catholic organizations that sponsor Dignity Health.

Keith received her Master of Arts in Practical Theology and Ministry from Barry University and received a Master of Public Administration from Baruch College in New York.