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(AUSTIN, Texas – Feb. 18, 2020) – The Texas Hospital Association named George Hernández, J.D., president and CEO of University Health System in San Antonio, as the recipient of the 2019 Earl M. Collier Award for Distinguished Health Care Administration in recognition of his dedication to the health care industry for the last 30 years. THA presented the award Feb. 13 at the 2020 THA Annual Conference and Expo in San Antonio.
The Earl M. Collier Award for Distinguished Health Care Administration is the highest honor bestowed by THA. It recognizes outstanding executives who have distinguished themselves through their contributions to the health care industry and their profession, who are leaders in providing quality health care services and who are active in THA and other industry groups.
“George Hernández embodies the values of the Earl M. Collier Award through his leadership and dedication to the highest standards of hospital administration,” said Ted Shaw, THA president and CEO. “George is recognized throughout the state for his commitment to Texas hospitals, and we at THA have seen firsthand his involvement and dedication to excellence.”
As CEO, Hernández developed an outpatient primary care and prevention strategy that included 10 City of San Antonio Metropolitan Health District clinics. This strategy played an integral role in reducing duplication of services, enhancing coordination of care, improving emergency preparedness and increasing the entire community’s focus on preventative health.
Hernández also has worked to advance policy initiatives that benefit Texas hospitals. Recently, he worked closely with hospital leaders and government officials across the state to develop and implement Texas’ Section 1115 Medicaid Waiver. Hernández and University Health System worked to provide technical assistance to hospitals and health providers in 20 south Texas counties for their DSRIP projects.
An active member of THA, Hernández is a past chairman of the organization’s board of trustees. Hernández also lends his considerable talents to other organizations. He previously served as the chairman of the board for Teaching Hospitals of Texas and is currently a member of Governor Greg Abbott’s “Code Red” Task Force on Access to Healthcare in Texas.
About THA
Founded in 1930, the Texas Hospital Association is the leadership organization and principal advocate for the state’s hospitals and health care systems. Based in Austin, THA enhances its members’ abilities to improve accessibility, quality and cost-effectiveness of health care for all Texans. One of the largest hospital associations in the country, THA represents 452 of the state’s non-federal general and specialty hospitals and health care systems, which employ some 400,000 health care professionals statewide. Learn more about THA at www.tha.org or follow THA on Twitter at http://twitter.com/texashospitals.