CHI St. Vincent has named Deborah Roybal as its vice president of mission, a key leadership role within the Arkansas-based health system to ensure that CHI St. Vincent maintains fidelity to its values and commitment to providing excellent, compassionate care.

Roybal has an extensive background in Catholic healthcare and significant experience in mission integration, leadership, theology, ethics and organizational management. She comes to CHI St. Vincent from SCL Health near Denver, where she was regional vice president of mission integration and ministry formation.



“In 1888 when the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth founded a hospital in Little Rock and the Sisters of Mercy did the same in Hot Springs, they also established a community-based ministry that continues to this day throughout Arkansas,” said CHI St. Vincent CEO Chad Aduddell. “It’s our mission to serve everyone in the community, not just through patient care but through a ministry that includes senior citizen centers and violence prevention efforts. Deborah will help keep us centered on the well-being of the world around us as the Sisters did 130 years ago.”

Roybal is a registered nurse with a master’s degree in nursing and a Ph.D. in human services and health services administration. Since 2007, she has been a faculty member for Regis University, where she teaches courses in ethics and leadership. She specializes in organizational culture and values.

At CHI St. Vincent, Roybal will provide leadership for community-based initiatives, ethics issues, and chaplaincy programs. She will also serve as liaison to the Catholic community.