2026 Award Winner
Adam Willmann, FACHE
President/Chief Executive Officer | Goodall-Witcher Healthcare, Clifton
Each year, HOSPAC proudly honors an exceptional hospital leader with the HOSPAC Star Award – our highest recognition for service and advocacy on behalf of all Texas hospitals. This year’s recipient is Adam Willmann, Chief Executive Officer, Goodall-Witcher Healthcare.
As the CEO of a rural, critical access hospital, Adam brings authenticity, urgency and enthusiasm to every effort. Adam’s career came full circle when, in 2012, he returned to his hometown to become the CEO of Goodall-Witcher, where he first felt called to a career in healthcare. He is a passionate advocate for rural healthcare; he recognizes that access to quality medical care is essential to sustaining healthy communities, economic stability, and the future of Main Street America. He understands that preserving it requires showing up, building one-on-one relationships with elected officials and cultivating the kind of trust where your legislative delegation is never more than a phone call away.
Adam is actively engaged across THA, dedicating his time and leadership as a member of the THA Board of Trustees and the HOSPAC Board of Directors – where he previously served as HOSPAC board chair in 2021-2022 – and he served on THA’s Council on Policy Development and the Leadership Development Council. Adam is currently the Vice Chairman of the Texas Health Insurance Exchange and past Chair of the Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals. Adam proudly serves on the board of the Texas A&M University System Health Science Center MHA Alumni Association and on the boards of numerous local organizations.
In 2024, Adam was recognized by the American Hospital Association (AHA) for exceptional advocacy on behalf of rural healthcare and received the AHA Grassroots Champion Award – and his grassroots efforts continue to shine. Adam encourages participation among his peers; he understands that strong relationships and sustained engagement matter and he consistently invests the time and energy necessary to ensure all hospitals have a respected and credible voice in the policymaking process.
Adam goes above and beyond in his service on the THA and HOSPAC boards, engagement with his local delegation and advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C. and Austin. Adam works to build a culture of advocacy with his rural peers, reinforcing through lived experience that hospitals must have a seat at the table when critical decisions affecting patient care are being made. His efforts reflect not only personal commitment but also a belief that advocacy is a responsibility shared by healthcare leaders who understand the importance of shaping policies that affect patients, caregivers, and communities.
The HOSPAC board proudly recognizes Adam Willmann for this well-deserved honor and celebrates his leadership as both a tireless champion for rural healthcare and a dedicated advocate for all hospitals, advancing stronger patient care and healthier communities.
Created in 2009, the HOSPAC Star Award recognizes outstanding hospital leaders and trustees who go above and beyond to support HOSPAC, the state and federal political action committees of the Texas Hospital Association. Nominees for the award are submitted by THA membership, and award winners are selected by the HOSPAC Executive Committee.
Previous Winners of the HOSPAC Star Award:
- 2024-2025: Brad Holland, FACHE
- 2023: Freddy Warner, Jr., J.D.
- 2022: Cris Daskevich, FACHE
- 2021: Phyllis Cowling
- 2020: Michael Murphy, FACHE
- 2019: C. David Huffstutler
- 2018: Glenn Robinson, FACHE
- 2017: Barclay Berdan, FACHE
- 2016: Christopher J. Durovich, FACHE
- 2015: Elmer G. Ellis, FACHE
- 2014: Michael C. Zucker, FACHE
- 2013: Dan R. Stultz, M.D., FACHE
- 2012: Robert L. Walker
- 2011: David Tesmer
- 2011: (Trustee) Rosemary Burns
- 2010: Michael D. Williams, FACHE
- 2010: (Trustee) Henderson Garrett
- 2009: Don A. Beeler, FACHE
- 2009: (Trustee) Margaret Allison
Contact:
Wendy Thomas, 512/465-1044
History
Created in 2009, the HOSPAC Star Award recognizes outstanding hospital leaders and trustees who go above and beyond to support HOSPAC, the state and federal political action committees of the Texas Hospital Association. Nominees for the award are submitted by THA membership, and award winners are selected by the HOSPAC Executive Committee.