How the THA Leadership Fellows Program Prepares Texas Hospital Leaders

The THA Leadership Fellows program brings together Texas hospital leaders each year to deepen their understanding of the legislative and regulatory process, explore the policy issues shaping healthcare and build relationships with the policymakers and influencers helping guide Texas’ future.

Through four in-person modules, Fellows gain firsthand experience with the advocacy, leadership and policy work that impacts hospitals and the communities they serve. Each module takes a different hands-on approach, providing practical lessons that extend beyond the classroom.

For Antonio Cardenas, MSHA, senior director of physician practices at Laredo Medical Center, the program has provided an opportunity to build on more than 15 years of healthcare experience by gaining a deeper understanding of the policy decisions that shape hospital operations and patient care. Most recently, Cardenas joined fellow cohort members for a mock testimony exercise, stepping into the role of a hospital advocate during a simulated legislative hearing.

We asked Cardenas how the Fellows program has influenced his leadership journey and how the mock testimony experience helped prepare him for the conversations, challenges and opportunities that await during the next legislative session.

When did you realize advocacy is part of hospital leadership, not separate from it? Was there anything about advocacy that surprised you or challenged your assumptions?
I had a general understanding of how policy helps shape hospital environments, but through the Fellows program, I truly learned how effective leadership can influence advocacy and drive meaningful change for hospitals across Texas.

As hospital leaders, we’re often focused on day-to-day needs, so our priorities don’t always reflect the bigger picture of how healthcare policy impacts Texans. Through this journey, I’ve come to understand that change begins with what hospitals see every day – implementing new technology to benefit patients and providers, navigating the complexities of payment systems, addressing operational challenges and ensuring long-term sustainability so we can continue providing quality care to our communities. I assumed someone was overseeing these issues in good faith, and while that may be true to a certain extent, I’ve learned that without our advocacy and effort, we create a layer of risk we can’t afford. If the wrong information is out there, it can inadvertently impact our ability to continue serving Texans.

Antonio Cardenas (center) participates in a mock testimony session during THA's Leadership Fellows program.

How did the mock testimony exercise help you better understand the role of advocacy?
The mock testimony was a unique experience because the goal was to advocate for the change we believed was needed.

Part of the experience was knowing your audience, understanding your plan inside and out and, of course, expecting the unexpected. There was a sense of realism in this exercise and how the testimony was designed because, as we went through it, we noticed we started speaking on our initiative with a sense of passion and treating our initiative as though imperative change was needed.

This exercise became the ultimate challenge because depending on how our testimonies were perceived meant whether we would have the committee support our initiative and move to the next step.

How has the Leadership Fellows program changed the way you engage with lawmakers or community leaders?
This process has taught me how important it is to build and sustain these relationships in a way that supports our community’s needs. As an aspiring leader, I’m taking the initiative to be proactive about the challenges that affect the viability of services in our community. Because we [Laredo Medical Center] serve a medically underserved area, the conversation about what the future looks like for our residents is very real.

What would you tell a hospital leader who is interested in the Leadership Fellows program but may be unsure about applying?
I started this journey through a recommendation and conversation with some of my mentors, who helped me understand the program and shared their personal experiences with the Fellows program.

Now that I am going through the program, I have gained more than just an understanding of the complexities of healthcare policy. We met in workshops designed to help improve our soft skills, build confidence, expand our personal networks with other leaders in Texas and ultimately strengthen our public speaking abilities while being effective and compelling.

I would recommend Fellows to those who are willing to invest in their skills, have the spirit of advocating for change and connect with other like-minded leaders in Texas.

With one module remaining, what has been your biggest takeaway from the Fellows experience so far?
One of my biggest takeaways from this program has been developing a greater appreciation and understanding of what happens in Austin during the legislative session.

As we prepare to complete the final module, I realize the real work is only beginning. We will return to our communities with refined skills and a stronger sense of purpose to support our patients, physicians and staff.

We must continue highlighting the good work being done in our local systems, reflecting the changes ahead and engaging with our elected officials to help drive meaningful action.

On a personal note, I feel I am completing this program with a stronger awareness of what can be accomplished when we seek support for our hospitals.

The mock testimony exercise is just one of several opportunities each Fellows class has to put their learning into practice throughout the program. At the end of Module IV, the Class of 2026 will complete its Fellows experience with capstone presentations showcasing the work, research and collaboration developed over the past year.

Applications for the THA Leadership Fellows Class of 2027 are now open through Aug. 7, 2026. Hospital leaders interested in deepening their leadership, advocacy and policy expertise can learn more and apply at tha.org/fellows.