Bushee retires after more than 60 years of service

Monday, April 5, 2021

Sister Diane Bushee, SAC, vice president of misson integration, is retiring after more than 60 years of service to St. Mary’s Medical Center (SMMC).

 Bushee has served in a number of leadership roles at SMMC, including associate director of nursing. She played a key role in the expansion projects and other changes that grew St. Mary’s Hospital into St. Mary’s Medical Center and helped foster the growth of the St. Mary’s Department of Spiritual Care and Mission. Since 1990, she has served as the vice president of mission integration, making sure that all administrators, clinical staff and non-clinical staff understand the importance of the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services. Bushee will reside in Huntington after her retirement, as she continues to support SMMC’s mission.

 “We are so grateful for Sister Diane and all of her contributions to not only St. Mary’s, but our entire community,” said Todd Campbell, chief operating officer, SMMC. “We wish her the very best in her well-earned retirement.”

 Sister Mary Grace Barile will succeed Bushee as the vice president of mission integration. She previously served as the director of mission integration at SMMC and also currently serves as the provincial of Pallottine Missionary Sisters Queen of Apostles Province, USA. Barile began at SMMC in 1969, working in the business office.

 “I am pleased to continue fostering the mission of our founding Sisters through this position,” Barile said. “Although there are only a few Sisters remaining at St. Mary’s, we are dedicated to supporting our staff as they administer care to our patients.”

 “Sister Mary Grace has been a key leader at St. Mary’s for many years and I am pleased that she will continue her important work in her new role,” Campbell said. “I look forward to working with her to honor and maintain our mission and values as a Catholic medical center.”

 Rev. Greg Creasy, director of spiritual care and mission will also assume a number of Bushee’s current duties, including providing administrative oversight to the ethics committee and continuing education for employees, physicians and stakeholders regarding SMMC’s philosophy, mission and values.

 “Greg has played such an important role in fostering the mission and values of the medical center,” Campbell said. “I am pleased that he will be expanding that role by assuming these additional responsibilities.”