Leaders from St. Vincent's HealthCare officially welcomed its newest entity into the fold last month with the Dedication and Blessing Ceremony of St. Luke's Hospital and a sculpture of St. Luke.

More than 200 SVHC associates, family and friends in the community gathered in the lobby and admitting waiting area for the ceremony that included the Homily by the Most Rev. Victor Galeone, Bishop, Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine, and other podium guests such as Patrick Madden, Ascension Health Market Leader, Gulf Coast and North Florida, and President and CEO of Sacred Heart Health System; Sr. Jean Rhodes, D.C., Sponsor Liaison, Ascension Health; and Pete Braud, Chairman, Board of Directors, St. Vincent's HealthCare.

Other program participants included SVHC President and CEO Scott Whalen and SLH leaders Michael Holmes, COO; Dr. Paul Rebenack, President of St. Luke's Medical Staff; Crystal Beckford, Vice President and CNO; Randy Hartley, Vice President, Clinical Support Services; Sr. Clare Marie Angermaier, D.C., Mission Integration; and Jene Vereen, volunteer. Body & Soul musicians performed for the occasion.

"I need not tell you how long we've been waiting for this day, and it happened flawlessly," Patrick Madden said of St. Luke's transition from Mayo Clinic to SVHC. "It's a wonderful day. St. Luke's is joining St. Vincent's family."

The event also included the unveiling and blessing of a bronze sculpture of St. Luke by Artist Captain Bob Rasmussen, USN, Ret., from Pensacola, FL. It was created to commemorate the addition of St. Luke's Hospital to St. Vincent's HealthCare. Saint Luke, the "Beloved Physician," was the only Gentile writer of the New Testament, author of Luke and Acts. Luke's is the gospel of the poor and of social justice, revealing Jesus as a constant friend to the poor and discouraged.

A reception and tours of the hospital immediately followed the ceremony.