Texas hospital and healthcare leaders gathered in Fort Worth Sept. 22–23 for the Texas Hospital Association’s 2026 Annual Conference. Over two days, attendees exchanged ideas, celebrated achievements and discussed the challenges facing hospitals and the communities they serve.
Sessions explored hospital advocacy, artificial intelligence, behavioral health and the issues likely to shape the 90th Texas Legislature. Throughout the conference, speakers emphasized the value of working together and helping others understand the role hospitals play in Texas communities.
“Conference is a great opportunity to learn what the latest challenges are facing the healthcare industry, and get ideas about potential solutions,” said THA’s President/CEO John Hawkins.
“It’s also a great chance to network with your colleagues and meet new friends.”
Telling the Hospital Story
Jenifer Sarver, principal of Sarver Strategies, opened the conference with “Telling the Hospital Story – The Foundation of Effective Advocacy.” She encouraged leaders to share consistent, mission-driven stories that show patients, communities and policymakers the value of their hospitals.
That message continued during “Hospitals in Action: Telling Your Story,” where Texas hospital executives discussed how patient experiences and organizational stories can engage stakeholders and inform healthcare policy. Together, the sessions showed how storytelling helps connect decisions made in hospitals and at the Capitol to the people those decisions affect.
Exploring Challenges and New Approaches
Breakout sessions examined the operational, financial and clinical pressures facing hospitals. Speakers discussed how artificial intelligence can support communications, nursing practice and efficiency, while other sessions addressed governance, strategic planning, accreditation, medical liability and price transparency.
Attendees also joined Texas Talks host Bradley Swail for a live podcast recording featuring two hospital leaders. Swail spoke with Allen Harrison, president, Medical City Healthcare, HCA Healthcare’s North Texas Division, about leading through change and advocating with one voice ahead of the legislative session, then with Christine Bryan, vice president of technology and public policy at Clarity Child Guidance Center, about expanding access to behavioral health services in Texas.
Behavioral health conversations focused on gaps in care and the partnerships needed to support children and families. Luanne Southern, chief behavioral health strategist in the Office of Behavioral Health Strategy at the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, urged attendees to keep working together even when progress is difficult.
“We can do better – don’t give up; do what you can, child by child,” Southern said. “Collaborate and partner together; even through disagreements, people need to believe in hope.”
Entrepreneur and healthcare innovator Mark Cuban also joined the conference for a keynote conversation on prescription drug affordability, pricing transparency and innovation. Drawing on his work with Cost Plus Drugs, he challenged leaders to question established business models and consider practical ways to improve value for patients.
Celebrating Excellence in Texas Healthcare
During the THA Awards Luncheon, attendees heard THA Board Chair Cris Daskevich, CEO of CHRISTUS Children’s, share her personal experience with the healthcare system and her vision for how hospitals can continue improving patient care in Texas communities.
Daskevich also presented awards to individuals and organizations leading this work across the state. The 2026 honorees included:
- Pioneer Award: Candice Smith, MSN, CEO, Hereford Regional Medical Center – Deaf Smith Co. Hospital District
- Excellence in Community Service Award: Texas Health Resources
- Bill Aston Award for Quality, Non-Research/Non-Teaching Hospital or Health System: United Regional Health Care System, Wichita Falls
- Bill Aston Award for Quality, Academic Institution or Large Teaching Hospital or Health System: Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Grapevine
- Bill Aston Award for Quality, Honorable Mention: CHRISTUS Santa Rosa – Westover Hills, San Antonio
- HOSPAC Star Award: Adam Willman, FACHE, president and CEO, Goodall-Witcher Healthcare, Clifton
THA also recognized hospitals and health systems celebrating membership milestones. In accepting the Bill Aston Award for Quality, a representative of Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Grapevine reflected on the role of communication in improving care:
“Our greatest opportunities to lead, influence and improve care often begin with something very simple: a conversation. A single conversation can change a patient’s outcome, build confidence and even shape the culture of our team.”
During the luncheon, THA President and CEO John Hawkins joined outgoing American Hospital Association President and CEO Rick Pollack for a fireside chat on Pollack’s decades of national healthcare leadership.
Developing Leaders and Preparing for the Legislature
THA’s 2026 Leadership Fellows presented capstone projects on bolstering the healthcare workforce and improving healthcare access and coverage in Texas. Their recommendations addressed training pathways, faculty and preceptor shortages, clinical placements, insurance coverage and administrative barriers.
For Tiffany Northern, president of Texas Health Hospital Frisco, presenting the capstone was both a milestone and a starting point.
“Being able to present this capstone was a full circle moment and very humbling,” Northern said. “But being able to take a passion and actually do research and come up with, hopefully, a unique solution that can be used as part of the talking points or a starting block for our legislators to think about is important to me.”
Learn more about the Fellows and their recommendations.
As Texas prepares for the 90th legislative session, THA’s advocacy team previewed policy priorities and the financial, regulatory and workforce issues hospitals will need to watch. A Medicaid update examined financing and supplemental payment programs, including how funding uncertainty could affect access to care.
Closing with Joy and Resilience
Ryan Campbell, founder of JoyAudit, closed the conference with “What’s Your Pink Cadillac?” Drawing on his experience rebuilding his life after a plane crash, Campbell challenged attendees to consider how joy can support resilience in their lives and organizations.
Attendees left Fort Worth with new ideas and stronger connections with colleagues across Texas. The conversations spanned advocacy, technology, leadership and patient care, but shared a common purpose: building stronger hospitals and healthier communities.
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