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Pioneer Award

In 2004, the Texas Hospital Association’s Rural Hospital Constituency Council established the Pioneer Award. This award honors a rural hospital administrator or chief executive officer that demonstrates creative and innovative leadership in the organizations and communities served.

THA congratulates the 2011 winner of the Pioneer Award: James E. Vanek, administrator/chief executive officer of Lavaca Medical Center in Hallettsville. Read More

Eligibility and Nomination Process

Nominees must be currently employed as an administrator/chief executive officer of a Texas rural/small hospital, which is an active Type 1 THA member. The honoree is featured in THA publications and recognized at the Rural Health Forum and the THA Leadership Conference.

Past Winners

2011 – James E. Vanek, administrator/chief executive officer, Lavaca Medical Center, Hallettsville

2010 – Karen Barber, RN, chief executive officer, Yoakum Community Hospital

2009 – Keith Butler, chief executive officer, Lillian M. Hudspeth Memorial Hospital, Sonora

2008 – Teresa Callahan, RN, FNP, chief executive officer, Iraan General Hospital

2007 - Russell Tippin, administrator/CEO, Pecos Memorial Hospital, Fort Stockton

2006 - Sandra Jackson, RN, Ed.D., chief executive officer/chief nursing officer, Tyler County Hospital, Woodville

2005 - Robert A. Pascasio, CHE, administrator and chief executive officer, Bayside Community Hospital, Anahuac

2004 - Michael Hare, chief executive officer, DeLeon Hospital and Evan Moore, CHE, CEO, Comanche Community Hospital

Subsidiaries and Affiliates

According to Texas Government Code 305.027, portions of this material may be considered “legislative advertising.” Authorization for its publication is made by John Hawkins, Texas Hospital Association, P.O. Box 679010, Austin, Texas, 78767-9010.

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Phone: 512/465-1000 | Fax: 512/465-1090 | info@tha.org