Texas Hospital Association PAC Honors Henderson Garrett

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Ann Ward, APRE
Texas Hospital Association
512/465-1052

Desirae Franco
Metroplex Health System
254/519-8316

(AUSTIN – July 26, 2010) – Ret. Lt. Col. Henderson Garrett, secretary of the board at Metroplex Health System in Killeen, will receive HOSPAC’s Star Trustee Award in recognition of his long-term support of the political action group affiliated with the Texas Hospital Association. Garrett will accept the award during a luncheon being held in conjunction with the Texas Healthcare Trustees annual conference, July 30 in San Antonio.

“Henderson is is a tireless champion for health care in Central Texas, and he brings that same energy to his support of HOSPAC,” said David Tesmer, chairman of HOSPAC and senior vice president of advocacy and community benefit at Arlington-based Texas Health Resources. “He understands the importance of building relationships with elected officials to help shape the future of health care policy.”

Garrett, a native Texan from Fairfield, received his bachelor’s degree from Prairie View A&M University and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 1952. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after 20 years of meritorious service. He earned a master’s degree in 1973, and joined Metroplex Hospital in Killeen as assistant administrator, eventually retiring as vice president of operations. In his more than 20 years with the hospital, Garrett was integral to the operation and growth of what would become Metroplex Health System, increasing the facility from 32 to 233 beds. He was involved with the hospital through his service as secretary of the Board of Directors and as chairman of Metroplex Management Inc., which formerly oversaw the operation of Metroplex Urgent Care Center.

Garrett is active with the Texas Healthcare Trustees and served as chairman in 2002-03. He served on the HOSPAC Board of Directors from 2005 until 2009, and continues to inspire other trustees to become more politically active

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About Texas Hospital Association
Founded in 1930, the Texas Hospital Association is the leadership organization and principal advocate for the state’s hospitals and health care systems. Based in Austin, THA enhances its members’ abilities to improve accessibility, quality and cost-effectiveness of health care for all Texans. One of the largest hospital associations in the country, THA represents more than 85 percent of the state’s acute-care hospitals and health care systems, which employ some 355,000 health care professionals statewide. Learn more at www.tha.org  or follow THA on Twitter at http://twitter.com/texashospitals.

About Metroplex Health System
Metroplex Health System is the primary healthcare provider for West Bell, Coryell and Lampasas counties, with 289 physicians offering 42 medical specialties and a variety of wellness services. The 233-bed, multi-campus facility is a not-for-profit Christian organization operated as a community service by the Adventist Health System and Scott & White Healthcare. Adventist Health System manages 37 hospitals and employs over 43,000 people in the U.S. and is the 10th largest hospital system in the country. Scott & White Healthcare is one of the nation’s largest multi-specialty group practice systems with more than 700 physicians and scientists.