2025 Newsmakers in Texas Hospitals

THA members are making headlines for their achievements and leadership in Texas health care.

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THA’s Newsmakers are leaders from THA member hospitals and health systems making headlines in Texas health care. Please join us in congratulating our Newsmakers:

Elias Armendariz
HCA Houston Healthcare Pearland

HCA Healthcare Gulf Coast Division has announced the promotion of Elias Armendariz to chief executive officer of HCA Houston Healthcare Pearland. Armendariz has served as the chief operating officer for HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake since August 2020. Additionally, he has served as interim chief executive officer of HCA Houston Healthcare Mainland, a campus of HCA Houston Clear Lake, since April 2024. During his tenure at Clear Lake, Armendariz championed efforts for growth in key service lines such as cardiology, neuroscience and trauma services. Under his leadership, the facility received approval for an upcoming master campus expansion plan in excess of $100 million in capital improvements.

Celestina Bryson
Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant

Methodist Hospital Specialty and Transplant has appointed Celestina (Celeste) Bryson as the new chief nursing officer (CNO). She most recently served as the assistant chief nursing officer at Methodist Hospital. Bryson joined Methodist Healthcare in 2017, where she led a range of service lines, including critical care, progressive care, medicine, and neurology. She also served two years as the chair of the Leadership Advisory Council for the San Antonio Chapter of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. Bryson comes with 29 years of experience in critical care nursing and more than a decade of senior leadership expertise. Her extensive background also includes a distinguished 23-year career in the U.S. Army, where she served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the 7454th Army Reserve Medical Battalion, including her role as Assistant Chief Nurse.

Guy Cayo
UT Health Quitman

Guy B. Cayo has been named chief executive officer for UT Health Quitman. Cayo was previously serving on interim basis as administrator for UT Health Quitman since September while retaining his role as CEO at UT Health Pittsburg. He is expanding his leadership responsibilities by now serving as CEO of both hospitals. In this new role, Cayo will oversee the strategic direction of both facilities, ensuring alignment in providing exceptional health care and fostering a collaborative culture that benefits both hospitals and the communities they serve. Before assuming the Pittsburg CEO position in March 2021, Cayo spent the majority of his career at Kindred Hospital systems.

James Vincent Cortez, M.D.
Laredo Medical Center

James Vincent Cortez, M.D., has been elected chief of staff for Laredo Medical Center. Dr. Cortez is a diagnostic radiologist specialist and has been part of the LMC medical staff since 2018. In his role as chief of staff, Dr. Cortez serves as chairman of the hospital’s Medical Executive Committee (MEC), presides over all meetings of the medical staff, advises the hospital administration and the MEC on matters impacting patient care, and serves as spokesperson for the medical staff.

Amica Ghebremariam
HCA Houston Healthcare West

HCA Houston Healthcare West recently announced Amica Ghebremariam as the hospital’s new chief operating officer. Ghebremariam joined HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood in November 2021 and made significant contributions to the success and growth of the hospital. During her tenure, Ghebremariam oversaw critical departments such as Plant Operations, Cardiac Cath Lab and Inpatient Rehabilitation. Her leadership and business development strategies resulted in growth in key service lines, including robotic and bariatric surgery, as well as enhanced operational efficiency throughout the organization. Among her many notable accomplishments, Ghebremariam led numerous capital projects including a successful expansion of HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood’s surgical facilities. She also was a key driver in improving employee engagement scores and patient care metrics, demonstrating her commitment to operational excellence and community service.

Joe Hernandez
Valley Regional Medical Center

HCA Healthcare Gulf Coast Division has announced the appointment of Joe Hernandez as chief executive officer of Valley Regional Medical Center. A Rio Grande Valley native, Hernandez first joined HCA Healthcare in May 2017 as chief financial officer of Valley Regional Medical Center. He was named chief financial officer at Rio Grande Regional Hospital in June 2020. Hernandez has served as the market chief financial officer and chief staffing officer for HCA Healthcare Las Palmas Del Sol Healthcare in El Paso since April 2023. During his time at Las Palmas Del Sol Healthcare, Hernandez was instrumental in restructuring the finance operations of the market. Hernandez also improved length of stay management, supported throughput efficiency measures, and assisted in long-term planning for the El Paso health care system.

Malik Merchant, MD
St. David’s South Austin Medical Center

Dr. Malik Merchant, M.D., has been named chief medical officer of St. David’s South Austin Medical Center. Dr. Merchant previously served as chief medical officer for Del Sol Medical Center in El Paso. During his time at Del Sol Medical Center, Dr. Merchant led the facility’s Joint Commission survey, streamlined operations and improved facility throughput. He also provided executive support to the hospital’s Graduate Medical Education and Level II trauma programs. Prior to his work at Del Sol Medical Center, Dr. Merchant was part of the leadership team at Austin Diagnostic Clinic, serving as section chief of hospitalists and post-acute care, as well as a consultant for hospital-based programs.

Robert Sabina
HCA Houston Healthcare Medical Center

HCA Healthcare Gulf Coast Division has announced the appointment of Robert Sabina as chief executive officer of HCA Houston Healthcare Medical Center. An accomplished health care executive, Sabina has 15 years of health care leadership experience in the greater Houston market. He first joined HCA Healthcare in August 2017 as assistant vice president of strategic planning for Gulf Coast Division. He was named chief operating officer at HCA Houston Healthcare Tomball in July 2019 and most recently served as chief operating officer of HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe since September 2021. During his time at HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe, Sabina led the programmatic build of the hospital’s Comprehensive Stroke Program and the operational improvement of surgical services that resulted in a marked increase in elective cases and robotic-assisted procedures. With a demonstrated ability to forge strong relationships, Sabina implemented department-specific engagement plans that increased colleague engagement across multiple departments.

Do you have a colleague making news in Texas health care? Send us a nomination for THA Newsmakers!

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