Saint Francis Celebrates Feast of St. Francis and Mass of Installation

Justin Davison and the Most Reverend Edward M. Rice

On Wednesday, October 5, Saint Francis Healthcare System celebrated the Feast of St. Francis and Mass of Installation for Justin Davison, President and Chief Executive Officer. The Most Reverend Edward M. Rice, Bishop Springfield-Cape Girardeau Diocese, was joined by Priests of the Diocese to celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Annunciation in Cape Girardeau.

In addition to the installation of the new President and Chief Executive Officer, five Little Sisters of St. Francis renewed their vows. The Sisters joined the Healthcare System in August 2022.

Following Mass, a Reception was held at Saint Francis Medical Center and included the unveiling and blessing of two new paintings to the Medical Center and the presentation of the Sister Jane Mission Award.

Bishop Rice blessed “The Resurrection,” painted by Carl Heinrich Bloch in 1875, the year of the Healthcare System’s founding, which depicts Jesus Christ rising from the dead and symbolizes the revival and recommitment of Saint Francis to its Mission. The Resurrection is imbued in the Healthcare System’s Catholic Franciscan identity and tradition, now made manifest through the arrival of five Little Sisters of St. Francis, walking in the footsteps of fellow Franciscan Sisters, Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. They journeyed the path before those today and those yet to serve in the Saint Francis Ministry.

In addition to ‘The Resurrection,” Saint Francis celebrated a new portrait of Sister Jane Ann Kiefer, OSF, which was commissioned after her passing earlier this year. Jason Oberle, MD, DABA, anesthesiologist at Cape Anesthesia Group, shared kind words in remembrance of Sister Jane, a close friend to him and his wife. The portrait now hangs in the Medical Center for all to see.

In 1976, after joining the Franciscan Sisters in Wheaton, Ill., and working in Catholic healthcare elsewhere, Sister Jane returned to home in Southeast Missouri to start a medical social work program at Saint Francis Medical Center. At the time, social work programs did not exist in the area and served as an extraordinary way to advocate for patients. She transferred to Pastoral Care in 1985 and served as a chaplain for 13 years. During this time, she became the sole religious sister remaining at Saint Francis. After retiring in 1998, Sister Jane continued her service at the Medical Center as a volunteer. She could be seen at the hospital nearly every day until her return to the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters Motherhouse in November 2019.

In honor of her legacy, the Healthcare System recognizes a colleague-nominated member of the Saint Francis Family for living the Mission of Saint Francis. The Sister Jane Mission Award is presented each October after the Feast of Saint Francis Mass to a deserving colleague who embodies the Mission and Values. The 2022 Sister Jane Mission Award recipient is Lisa King, CNA, certified nurse assistant at the Medical Center.

King’s colleague nomination states it best, ‘Lisa is the epitome of joy, compassion and caring! She is one of the hardest workers I have ever met and does it all with a smile on her face and a song in her heart. Patients, doctors, nurses and everyone in between love Lisa because she is always willing to go above and beyond for her patients and colleagues. I cannot think of a better deserving staff member in our Healthcare System than Lisa King. She lights up every room she enters!”