Texas Hospital Leaders Connect, Collaborate and Prepare for What’s Next

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.

Female speaker on stage gesturing while presenting at a conference backdrop with bold geometric designs and the words'Annual Conference' visible. — THA Board Chair Cris C. Daskevich, FACHE, CEO of CHRISTUS Children’s and SVP of CHRISTUS Health, spoke during the Awards Luncheon

Group of business professionals in suits and dresses posing for a group photo in a hotel conference hallway. — The THA Board of Trustees showed up in force at the 2026 THA Annual Conference in Fort Worth

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.

Woman in a red blazer speaks at a podium on stage, waving to the audience during a conference presentation (THA Annual Conference). — Jenifer Sarver, principal of Sarver Strategies, was the opening speaker the THA 2026 Annual Conference

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.

Two men sit on a stage in armchairs, speaking into microphones during a panel discussion, with screens and banners in the background. — Texas Talks host Bradley Swail (left) interviewed Allen Harrison, president, Medical City Healthcare, HCA Healthcare’s North Texas Division

Panel of four professionals seated on a stage at a conference, woman in blue speaking into a microphone while others listen and audience watches. — A panel of behavioral healthcare leaders lead a breakout session around gaps in care and the partnerships needed

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

Eight adults posing on a stage at an event; a woman in a red suit holds a glass trophy against a colorful geometric backdrop. — Pioneer Award winner Candice Smith (center)

Group of eight professionals on a stage posing for a formal event photo, with geometric backdrop and an American flag on the right core image. — Excellence in Community Service Award winners from Texas Health Resources

Group of professionals on stage posing for a photo at a conference, one person holding an award in the center. — United Regional Health Care System, Wichita Falls accepting the Bill Aston Award for Quality for Non-Research/Non-Teaching Hospital or Health System

Group of eight professionals on stage posing with a glass award against a colorful backdrop at a conference. — Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Grapevine accepting the Bill Aston Award for Quality, Academic Institution or Large Teaching Hospital or Health System

Six professionals posing on a stage for an award photo, with one woman holding a glass trophy and a geometric backdrop behind them. — Bill Aston Award for Quality, Honorable Mention went to CHRISTUS Santa Rosa – Westover Hills, San Antonio

Smiling man in a burgundy blazer sits at a desk in an office, with two monitors glowing in the background. — Adam Willman, FACHE, president and CEO, Goodall-Witcher Healthcare, Clifton, was presented the HOSPAC Star Award

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.

Two men sit on a conference stage in discussion, one gesturing with an arm raised; a bold banner reads'Annual Conference 2026' and a US flag stands to the side as the audience watches. — THA President/CEO John Hawkins (right) joined outgoing American Hospital Association President and CEO Rick Pollack for a fireside chat

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.

Group of professionals posing for a photo in front of a Texas Hospitals banner; a person in foreground takes their picture. — THA's 2026 Class of Leadership Fellows reconnected and presented capstone projects during the conference

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.

Two men pose for a selfie at a conference, one in a suit and lavender tie and the other in a gray polo shirt, smiling together. — Laredo Medical Center CEO Jorge Leal took a selfie with Mark Cuban, co-founder of Cost Plus Drug Company

Panel of four at a conference; central woman speaks into a microphone with water bottles on the table nearby. — Clarity Child Guidance Center's Christine Bryan (center) joined a panel on telling the hospital story

Professional woman standing and handing a document to seated colleagues in a bright conference room. — Conference attendees learned about THA programs and services

Bearded man in a tan suit speaks on stage, holding a small car model and gesturing toward an audience, with a striped backdrop. — Ryan Campbell, founder of JoyAudit, closed the conference with “What’s Your Pink Cadillac?”

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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