For the past decade, the Texas Hospital Association’s Leadership Fellows program has been a driving force in Texas hospital leadership advocacy. During a nine-month curriculum focused on legislative and regulatory processes, hospital executives are empowered to champion policy initiatives that ensure that future health care policy is rooted in the reality of day-to-day health care delivery.
Despite being an interim session year, 2024 has been critical for the Texas hospital industry. On the heels of a particularly combative session, in which motivated adversaries scapegoated hospitals as the main drivers of high health care prices, the hospital industry rallied together and raised its voice in defense.
It wasn’t the first time hospitals faced mounting attacks at the Capitol, and it won’t be the last.
This year, THA celebrates the tenth year of Leadership Fellows. It’s a reflective reminder of how far the industry has come, and how much more we can accomplish together.
The Genesis of Leadership Fellows
During the 2013 legislative session, Texas hospitals struggled to secure sustainable funding and improve access to care for vulnerable populations while dealing with the complexities of health care reform under the new Affordable Care Act (ACA), enacted in 2010. It was clear that if Texas was to expand Medicaid under the ACA, THA would need a comprehensive proposal informed by health care leaders who understood the financial, regulatory and political ramifications of coverage expansion.
In May 2014, THA launched the inaugural cohort of the Leadership Fellows program to bring together health care leaders for a focused study in becoming effective health care advocates. The class consisted of 25 Texas hospital executives who were interested in representing the needs of Texas hospitals and could articulate the challenges faced by hospitals and propose viable solutions.
“The Leadership Fellows program is a great opportunity to find health care leaders out in their communities and give them the preparation and deep dive into policy and politics to make them a better advocate before for their legislative delegation,” says John Hawkins, president/CEO of the Texas Hospital Association.
In the wake of the 2013 legislative session, the first cohort of Leadership Fellows were tasked with researching and proposing plans for how THA could best advocate for Medicaid expansion post-ACA, ultimately informing the final draft of the THA “Texas Plan” for Medicaid expansion.
In subsequent years, Leadership Fellows’ work culminates in a capstone project to address a real-world challenge for Texas hospitals. Past projects have centered on hospital funding, Medicaid expansion, behavioral health access, the impacts of COVID-19 on Texas hospitals and workforce issues.
This year, the 2024 cohort is exploring topics related to workforce shortages, the impact of prior authorization, behavioral health coverage parity and health insurance transparency.
“Since the last legislative session, we’ve seen how important it is for our members to champion the advocacy work we’re doing,” says Lindsay Thompson, senior director of Education and Governance Programs at THA. “This year, we are aligning our capstones with the interim priorities with additional urgency and emphasis on the importance of engaging the entire hospital in this grassroots process.”
Leadership Fellows’ Success Stories
Over the past decade, the Leadership Fellows program has evolved significantly. It has expanded its scope to include a broader range of health care issues, reflecting the changing dynamics of the industry. The program continues to adapt, ensuring its relevance and effectiveness in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.
Advocating for policy changes in the complex and often contentious field of health care can be dauting, but the program continues to attract leaders who have harnessed the power of grassroots advocacy to influence policy decisions and mobilize support.
One such notable Leadership Fellow is Kathy Griffis, vice president of clinical operations and chief nursing officer (CNO) at Titus Regional Medical Center (TRMC) in Mount Pleasant. Her 2022 cohort was tasked with finding ways to reduce workplace violence in Texas emergency departments. Griffis worked alongside co-Fellows, Baylor University Medical Center CEO Kyle Armstrong and Anil Sinha, M.D., chief medical officer at CHI St. Luke’s Health Brazosport in Lake Jackson, to identify and present a solution to a specific area within that framework. They came up with telepsychiatry consultations for rural hospitals.
The result: the capstone project was accepted into the final budget that passed during the state of Texas’ 2023 regular legislative session. HHSC Rider 56 allocates $7.4 million in general revenue (GR) funds over a biennium for telepsychiatry consultations for rural hospitals
Learning to Affect Change for Rural Texas Hospitals
How a THA Leadership Fellows Program capstone project for Titus Regional Medical Center’s Kathy Griffis went from spark of inspiration to statewide policy.
Another notable alum is Hatch Smith, CEO of MidCoast Medical Center in Llano. A member of the 2023 cohort, Hatch was inspired to pair his experience as a health care executive with his knowledge of health care policy to run for a seat in State District 53 in the Texas House of Representatives. Neither chamber of the Texas Legislature has the voice of a Texas hospital administrator among its members. While Smith was ultimately unsuccessful in his election bid, he was a model for other hospital executives, boldly seeking a seat at the table to be a voice for Texas hospitals.
Meet the Alumni
The Leadership Fellows program boasts an impressive list of nearly 200 alumni who have made significant contributions to Texas hospitals. These individuals come from diverse backgrounds, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the program. Their unique perspectives have enriched the program, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning.
2014 – 2024 Alumni:
- Clint Abernathy, President, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Alliance
- Khalid Almoosa, MD, Regional Chief Medical Officer, Memorial Hermann Health System
- Marie Alvarez, Group CEO, Acadia Healthcare
- Robert Anderson, MBA, CEO, The Hospitals of Providence Memorial Campus
- Kyle Armstrong, President, Central Region of BSW Health, Baylor Scott & White – North Texas
- Paul Aslin, FACHE
- Elizabeth Asturi, RN, MSN, Chief Nursing Officer, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas
- Samantha Avila, MBA, MHA, Projects Manager, Merritt Hawkins
- Jeanna Bamburg, FACHE, CEO, Woman’s Hospital of Texas
- Roddex Barlow, BSN,MBA,MHA
- Blake Barnes, COO, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Brenham
- Wesley Barnt, MBA, Vice President Operations, Midland Memorial Hospital
- Billie Bell, FACHE, MB, CEO, Medina Regional Hospital
- Bonifacio Benitez, VP Clinical Operations, CHRISTUS Children’s
- Elaine Bennett, CEO, Guadalupe Regional Foundation, Guadalupe Regional Medical Center
- Brian Bessent, FACHE, VP / Chief Strategy & Experience Officer, Hendrick Medical Center
- Lance Beus
- Vishal Bhalla, MBA, MS
- Marc Biehl, FACHE, System Director Strategic Planning, Baylor Scott & White Health
- Robert Blake, MPA, PHD, Director Strategic Planning, Medical City Plano
- Pavithra Bora, MBA, EVP Project Director, Houston Methodist
- Ernest Borjas, Assistant Chief Financial Officer, Community Health Systems
- Christopher Bowe, FACHE
- Susan Bradshaw, MS MBA RHIA, Associate Vice President, Health System Informatics, Baylor Scott & White Central Texas
- Kaycie Brown, MHA, Vice President Physician Services, El Campo Memorial Hospital
- Christine Bryan, Vice President IT / Public Policy, Clarity Child Guidance Center
- Karen Bryant, Group VP Strategy & Business Development, CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System
- Angie Buckmeier, RN, Vice President / Chief Nursing Officer, Scottish Rite for Children
- Joseph Bullen, MBA
- David Byrd, CEO, The Hospitals of Providence – Transmountain Campus
- Amanda Callaway, MBA, BA, Associate Administrator, Harris Health System
- Kirk Canada, Chief Operating Officer / System VP, Hendrick Medical Center
- Samantha Cannell, BS, MBA, VP Human Resources, El Campo Memorial Hospital
- Dean Cannon, MD, MS, Consultant
- Walter Cassity, MPA, Senior Vice President, Baylor Scott & White Health
- Susie Cassle, RN, MSN
- Charlie Castillo, BSN, MSN, Chief Nursing Officer, The Hospitals of Providence – Sierra Campus
- Kyle Cavin, Assistant Administrator Patient Services, Scottish Rite for Children
- Erik Cazares, MSN RN
- Jeffrey Cellucci
- Benson Chacko, President, Methodist Southlake Medical Center
- Caroline Champion, FACHE
- Matt Chance, CHE, FACHE, MHA, Senior Vice President & COO, Scottish Rite for Children
- Jared Chanski, Executive Vice President, Preferred Management
- Jennifer Chavez, Chief Nursing Officer Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth
- Geoffrey Christian, Region COO, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – College Station
- Brin Cole, VP of Operations, Metropolitan Methodist Hospital
- Mark Davies, PhD, MD, MBA, FACHE, Vascular / Endovascular Surgeon, Ascension Providence
- Josiah De La Garza, CEO, Baylor Surgical Hospital at Las Colinas
- Natalie Denson, RN, MSN, Vice President Nursing, Children’s Health
- Robbie Dewberry, Strategic Advisor
- Elizabeth Diaz, MPH
- Zach Dietze, CEO, UT Health Tyler
- Andres Duran, CEO, Dimmit Regional Hospital
- Stefanie Edwards, MHA, Executive Director of Physician Services, Matagorda Regional Medical Center
- Christopher Ekrem, FACHE, Assistant Vice President, Kirby Bates Associates and Tyler & Company
- Keith Ellison, RN, Chief Nursing Officer, Longview Regional Medical Center
- Brett Emmett, FACHE
- Luis (Rick) Flores, Laboratory Director, Doctors Hospital of Laredo
- Christopher Ford, FACHE, AVP Support Services, Hendrick Medical Center
- Loren Fouch, CEO, Millwood Hospital
- Richard Foy, MBA
- Suzanne Gafford, CEO, Mitchell County Hospital
- Enrique Gallegos, FACHE
- Kelly Galloway, ER Director & Trauma Coordinator, Moore County Hospital District
- Debbi Garbade, MSN, RN
- Nancy Garcia, RN, Chief Nursing Officer, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance
- Rendell Gazzingan, Administrator Texas Health Neighborhood, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano
- Skip Gjolberg, FACHE
- Jason Glover, Senior Vice President and CEO, Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center
- Brandon Goertz, PhD, BS, MHA, Vice President of Professional and Support Services, Texas Health Resources H-E-B
- Elizabeth Gonzales, RN, DNP, Director of Nurse Practitioners, Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital
- Rick Gray, Associate Administrator, El Paso Children’s Hospital
- Laura Griffin, MD, DNP, VP Service Line, HCA Houston Healthcare
- Kathy Griffis, CNO / VP Clinical Operations, Titus Regional Medical Center
- Roberto Haddad, JD, Vice President Counsel for Government Affairs & Policy, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance
- Murray Hall, Chief Operating Officer, Mitchell County Hospital
- Laura Hardy, Vice President, Texas Children’s Hospital
- Patricia Harrison, RN, BSN, MBA
- Fraser Hay, FACHE, President, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano
- Rebecca Helterbrand
- Deana Henk, FACHE, MS, Guadalupe Healthcare Network CEO, Guadalupe Regional Medical Center
- Sofia Hernandez, Chief Operating Officer, UT Rio Grande Valley
- Alicia Hernandez, Administrative Director, Harris Health System
- Jeremy Howell, Vice President North Campus, Scottish Rite for Children
- William Hurst, MBA, FACHE, President / CEO, Patient Physician Network
- Enrique Iturbe, Director of Laboratory Services, Medina Community Hospital
- Kevin Jablonski, RN, MSN, FACHE, Chief Nursing Officer, UT Health Athens
- Marcus Jackson, FACHE, Chief Operating Officer, Medical City Las Colinas
- Jerry Jasper, MBA, Interim CEO, The Hospital at Westlake Medical Center
- Jared Johnson
- Jace Jones, CEO / Administrator, Ascension Seton Bastrop
- Carolynn Jones, JD, Executive VP Chief Compliance & Risk Officer, Harris Health System
- Jorge Jurado, FACHE, CEO, Val Verde Regional Medical Center
- Shane Kernell, MBA, Chief Executive Officer, Graham Regional Medical Center
- Brett Kirkham, FACHE, Chief Executive Officer, MidCoast Health System
- Jessica Knudsen, FACHE, LCSW, Chief Executive Officer, Clarity Child Guidance Center
- Jorge Leal, FACHE Chief Executive Officer, Laredo Medical Center
- Olga Llamas Rodriguez, MBA, MPA, VP Board Services, Harris Health System
- Jessica Loy, JD, MBA, Physician Recruiter, The Hospitals of Providence
- Marco Lozano, MBA, Chief Operating Officer, Laredo Medical Center
- Sean Mahaney, PT DPT CPHQ CHSP, Director Healthcare Improvement, Baylor Scott & White Health – Lake Pointe
- Erin Marietta, Vice President Operations, CHI St. Joseph Health Regional Hospital
- Kelly Martin, Vice President / Chief HR Officer, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano
- Aida Martinez, RN, MSN, Assistant Chief Nursing Officer, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance
- Brandon May, MBA, FACHE, BBA
- Brad McCall, JD, Vice President of Operations, Baylor Scott & White Health
- Thomas McKinney, FACHE, Chief Executive Officer, Baptist Medical Center
- Adam Melton, Senior Vice President, Physician Operations, Children’s Health
- James Mendez, CEO, EPIC Pain and Orthopedics Management
- Christina Mintner, VP Waiver Operations, Parkland Health
- Herron Mitchell, MBA, FACHE, Regional Director Population Health, Foremost Family Health Centers
- Emma Montes-Ewing, CEO, STHS McAllen
- Natasha Montez, BS, MA,PHD, GRMG Physician Employment CEO, Guadalupe Regional Medical Center
- Diane Moore
- Michael Morgan, SVP Strategic Analysis, Community Hospital Corporation
- Rustin Morse, MD, VP Quality/Chief Quality Officer, Children’s Medical Center Dallas
- Lisa Moss, BSN, MA,MPA, System Director Policy and Safety, CHRISTUS Health
- Dawn Nichols, Director of Nursing, Texas Health Hospital Frisco
- John O’Hearn, FACHE, MHA, Interim CEO, Culberson Hospital
- Timothy Ottinger
- Rick Paczkowski
- Maritza Padilla, RN, BSN, CRRN,MHA, Executive VP & Chief of Staff, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance
- Ajith Pai, FACHE, PHARMD, President, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital SW Fort Worth and Texas Health Hospital Clearfork
- Malisha Patel, FACHE, Senior Vice President / CEO, Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital
- Binita Patel, MS, PHARMD, Vice President, Memorial Hermann Health System
- Anne Pileggi, Chief Operating Officer, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System
- Esmaeil Porsa, MD, MPH, President/CEO, Harris Health System
- Megan Powe, Chief Strategy Officer, The Hospitals of Providence – Sierra Campus
- Holly Powell, Regional VP Post Acute Services, Community Hospital Corporation
- Roland Prezas, DO, Family Medicine Physician, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic
- Jason Proctor, MBA, President, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System
- Gayla Quillin, Chief Executive Officer, Parmer Medical Center
- Julie Rabat Torki, Administrative Director, Government Reporting, Harris Health System
- Gerardo Ramos
- Rance Ramsey, RN, BSN, MBA, Chief Executive Officer, Cornerstone Regional Hospital
- Melanie Richburg, DNP, FNP, CEO, Lynn County Hospital District
- James Robicheaux, FACHE, CEO, Matagorda Regional Medical Center
- Leticia Rodriguez, CEO, Ward Memorial Hospital
- Asha Rodriguez, MBA
- Emily Rogers, Chief Operating Officer, Eastland Memorial Hospital
- Virginia Rose-Harris, MBA, FACHE, VP Strategy/Business Development, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas
- Steven Roth, JD, MPH, EVP / General Counsel, Parkland Health
- Scott Rule, JD
- Ben Salinas, Senior Vice President, Operations, Children’s Health
- Christopher Sandles, MBA, FACHE
- Debbie Sayles, MBA, RN
- Sue Schell, Vice President & Clinical Director, Behavioral Health, Children’s Medical Center Dallas
- Terry Scoggin, CPA, Chief Executive Officer, Titus Regional Medical Center
- Todd Senters, MHA, Division VP, HCA Healthcare
- Ivett Shah, Vice President, Community Hospitals, Texas Children’s Hospital
- Jyric Sims
- Anil Sinha, MD, Chief Medical Officer, CHI St. Luke’s Health Brazosport
- Travis Smith, MBA/MHA, CFO Clinical Operations, University Health
- Dewey Smith, MBA
- Hatch Smith, BS, MBA, Chief Executive Officer / Administrator, MidCoast Central – Llano
- Vincent Sowell, MBA, MSN, RN, Chief Nursing Officer, Otto Kaiser Memorial Hospital
- Shona Sowell, Director of Community Relations, Texas Health Hospital Frisco
- Stephanie Speights, PhD, Senior Vice President Talent Development & Chief Learning Officer, Parkland Health
- Debbie Splinter, MBA, FACHE, HR Director, Baylor Scott & White Texas Spine And Joint Hospital
- Benjamin Steiner, MHA, Associate Administrator, Nacogdoches Medical Center
- Darin Szilagyi, FACHE
- Austin Taylor, Director Clinical Operations, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Temple
- Sarah Teaff, PhD
- Roshanda Thomas
- Amanda Thrash, President, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Allen
- Robin Tice, RN, BSN, Chief Nursing Officer, Eastland Memorial Hospital
- Lisa Trevino, PhD, Vice President, Research, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance
- Rebecca Tucker, SVP Channel Integration, Texas Health Resources
- Paula Turicchi, FACHE, MHA, Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer, Parkland Health
- Lindsey Tyra, MHA, Senior VP, Chief Strategy Officer, Children’s Health
- Rhonda Unruh, RN,BSN,MHA, VP of Quality, Guadalupe Regional Medical Ctr
- Amanda Vail, Chief Executive Officer, Cypress Creek Hospital LP
- Chelsea Van Blarcum, Division AVP – Finance Operations, Methodist Healthcare San Antonio
- Barbara Vasquez, Chief Nursing Officer, CHRISTUS Health
- Lawrence Verfurth, DO, Chief Medical Officer, HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe
- Veronica Villarreal, Chief Ambulatory Officer, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance
- Frank Vittimberga
- Jill Vogel, JD, RN, Attorney, Kreager Mitchell
- Susan Wade, MBA, FACHE, BBA, Abilene Market COO, Hendrick Health
- Catherine Walther, Administrative Director & Privacy Officer, Harris Health System
- Jennifer Ware, Regional Director, Marketing & Communication, CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health System
- Tarra Washington, CEO, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Round Rock
- Kent Waters, MHA, Administrator, Midcoast Medical Center – Crockett
- Toya White, BSN, JD, MBA, MSN, President/CNO, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital of Kaufman
- Stephanie Whitehead, MBA, MPH, Executive Director, University Health
- Natalie Wilkins, MHA, Chief of Staff to the President/CEO, Cook Children’s Medical Center
- Michael Williams, Chief Financial Officer / COO, Limestone Medical Center
- Sheri Williams, RN, MSN, FACHE, Chief Operating Officer, Guadalupe Regional Medical Ctr
- Stormee Williams, MD, VP / Chief Health Equity Officer, Children’s Medical Center Dallas
- Melissa Wilson, CEO / Administrator, Freestone Medical Center
- Yvette Woody, Chief Nursing Officer, Mitchell County Hospital
- Jason Wren, FACHE, CEO, Medical City Decatur
- Jamie-Crystal Wylie, Regional Research Director, Northeast TX, CHRISTUS Health
- Mary Wylie, FACHE, DHA, Vice President of Operations, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Plano
- Matthew Wylie, MBA, MHA, Administrative Director, Operations, Christus Mother Frances Hospital – Jacksonville
- Thomas Zellers, MD, Medical Director, Children’s Health
The future of Leadership Fellows and hospital advocacy in Texas looks promising. The program continues to evolve, adapting to the changing health care landscape and the emerging needs of Texas hospitals. THA remains dedicated to developing leaders who can navigate the complexities of health care policy, drive innovation and advocate for the interests of hospitals and their communities.
Applications Now Open for the 2025 Leadership Fellows Program
THA is accepting applications until Oct. 25 for leaders in THA hospitals who would like to participate in the 2025 cohort. Learn more and apply here.
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