Sr Barbara, joined the hospital staff in the mid-1980s as director of mission after a long secondary school teaching career in Dunedin and Gore. She has also served on the hospital's board and ethics committee.
The 75th anniversary of the first patient being admitted to the hospital, now in Newington Ave and known as Mercy Hospital, was marked at the weekend.
Today, it boasts six operating theatres, 41 inpatient beds and 24 day-surgery beds as well as a two-bed intensive care unit.
Celebrations began on Friday evening with a blessing of 11 milestone plaques laid in the pathway between the hospital and Marinoto House.
An accompanying book, by mission co-ordinator Dr Janice McDrury, featuring many historic photographs, is available from the hospital for a donation.
Saturday's commemoration included a mass at Holy Name church celebrated by Bishop Colin Campbell and a DVD presentation at Otago Museum from director of Mercy International Sister Mary Reynolds, of Dublin, who had originally planned to attend.
The festivities ended with a celebratory dinner at the Dunedin Town Hall last night for staff, consultants and others attending the weekend celebrations.
Sr Barbara said it had been "beautiful to see the staff coming back".
"They're precious people, the whole lot of them."
