CHI St. Vincent has appointed Qualenta Forrest as Vice President of Human Resources to develop, prioritize and lead human resources across the CHI St. Vincent health system. Forrest will provide strategic leadership over recruitment, talent management, employee engagement, employee orientation, employee relations, employee health, employee assistance, regulatory compliance and compensation. She will also be accountable for organizational and performance management; learning and development; and labor relations.

“We’re fortunate at CHI St. Vincent to have an incredible staff committed to our healing ministry across Central and Southwest Arkansas,” said CHI St. Vincent CEO Chad Aduddell. “We look forward to the vision and leadership Qualenta now brings as we make sure they feel celebrated as well and we continue to recruit the very best healthcare professionals to deliver exceptional care in our communities.”

Forrest had previously served as Division Human Resources Director for CHI St. Luke’s Health System in Texas, where she was the primary human resources liaison on national CHI projects to improve operational efficiencies within local, divisional and national functions. She most recently served as the Associate Chief People Officer for the Medical University of South Carolina, where she was responsible for human resources operations and strategy.

A Jacksonville, Arkansas native, Forrest earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and criminal justice with a minor in political science from the University of Arkansas. Forrest is certified in the GE change acceleration process, critical incident stress management, Just Culture and TotalSDI facilitation.