St. Joseph Health Chaplain Retires after 22 Years of Dedicated Service

Bryan, TX, November 19, 2018 —After more than 20 years of dedicated service, Monsignor John Malinowski has retired as Chaplain at St. Joseph Health. A valued member of the Spiritual Care team at St. Joseph, Msgr. Malinowski will continue saying Mass twice weekly for the health system and continue as a member of its Ethics Committee. “Msgr. John has been a consummate promoter of the Mission of St. Joseph Health and of our founders, the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio,” said St. Joseph Health CEO Theron Park. “And, he has been a spiritual rock for our physicians, team members and patients, as well as patient family and friends, not only in his role as a chaplain, but over the many years he’s served our community.” Born in Chappell Hill in 1935, the oldest of six siblings, Msgr. Malinowski served at parishes in Bellville, Austin and Belmead before becoming pastor of St. Anthony Catholic Church in 1973. During his time at St. Anthony, he became part of the St. Joseph Health Board of Trustees and later joined the Spiritual Care team as a full-time Catholic chaplain. Held in high regard for his leadership and his ability to connect with people of all faiths, Msgr. Malinowski is described by his current and former colleagues as a dedicated servant who believed in taking care of the health system’s patients and families. “He relates so well with people,” said Don Breland, a former St. Joseph Health chaplain who worked with Msgr. Malinowski as Director of Spiritual Care. “He has the native skill and ability just to be able to move in with a group and establish a connection that really becomes meaningful to the people he’s with.” Mark Scarmardo, a long-time member of the health system Board of Trustees, said Msgr. Malinowski has blessed the lives numerous patients and families through his years as a chaplain. “He truly is the face of the hospital,” said Scarmardo. “He not only believes in the Mission of our health system, he leads by example. That example and support for the Mission, said St. Joseph Health Foundation Director Chuck Konderla, has extended far beyond his service as a chaplain. “Msgr. John encouraged people to support the hospital’s Mission financially and spiritually, and he promoted the great resources of our facilities,” said Konderla. “He had an indelible role as a member of the board and as someone that saw our team through the Tower build, the Level Two Trauma Center, the growth of our medical staff, Cardiac Services, Critical Care Services and can regularly be seen encouraging and lifting up the lives and careers of team members.” Msgr. Malinowski is also known for his support of St. Joseph Health team members in challenging times, when the hospital has run near capacity and throughout the Texas A&M University Bonfire incident. Sister Penny Dunn, Vice President of Mission Integration, described Msgr. Malinowski as the most selfless person she has met, always putting others before himself, paying reverence to the Sisters and their Mission. “He is a humble man, a funny man with a great sense of humor and so accepting of everyone,” Sister Dunn said. “He is also committed to keeping our Ethical and Religious Directives of the Catholic Church front and center in all we do here at St. Joseph.” An advocate for the Catholic heritage and Mission at St. Joseph Health, Msgr. Malinowski has performed thousands of sacraments, blessings and masses. In his role as a pastor, Msgr. Malinowski received several important accolades. In 1985 Pope John Paul II conferred on him the honorary title of Monsignor, celebrating mass with him, and four years ago, the Diocese of Austin celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination. About St. Joseph Health: As the official healthcare provider for Texas A&M Athletics and the primary clinical partner for Texas A&M University Health Science Center, St. Joseph Health continues to elevate the quality and delivery of healthcare throughout the Brazos Valley. [For more information, please contact Director of Marketing and Public Relations Heather Bush at 979-774-2165 or [email protected].] ###