AUSTIN, Texas (Sept. 23, 2025) – For the first time in its new September timeslot, the Texas Hospital Association announced its annual award winners during the THA Annual Conference, hosted both virtually and in-person in San Antonio.
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The awards presented at this year’s annual THA Conference include THA’s Bill Aston Award for Quality, Excellence in Community Service, Pioneer Award, HOSPAC and Legends Award.
Award recipients include:
- Baylor Scott & White Health (Waxahachie)}
Bill Aston Award for Quality: Academic Institution for Large Teaching Hospital/Health System
- Brad Holland, FACHE, president/CEO Hendrick Health, (Abilene)
HOSPAC Star Award
- Jeff Turner, FACHE, CEO Moore County Hospital District (Dumas)
Pioneer Award
- Joel T. Allison, FACHE, former CEO Baylor Scott & White Health
Legends Award
- Scottish Rite for Children (Dallas)
Bill Aston Award for Quality: Non-Research/Non-Teaching Hospital/Health System
- United Regional Health Care System (Wichita Falls)
Excellence in Community Service
“These honorees reflect the very best of our field – innovation, care and unwavering responsibility,” said John Hawkins, president/CEO of THA. “Their work strengthens their communities every day and raises the bar for health care across Texas.”
Awards details:
THA’s Bill Aston Award for Quality honors hospitals’ measurable success in improving quality and patient outcomes through the sustained implementation of a national and/or state evidence-based patient care initiative.
The Bill Aston Award for Quality in the Academic Institution for Large Teaching Hospital/Health System Category is received by Baylor Scott & White Health (Waxahachie) for its Wound Care Program, a multidisciplinary initiative that transformed wound care delivery and dramatically improved patient outcomes. By standardizing care, expanding staff training and strengthening care coordination, Baylor Scott & White – Waxahachie significantly lowered complication rates and cut patient length of stay – improvements that have been sustained and expanded across the system.
The Bill Aston Award for Quality in the Non-Research/Non-Teaching Hospital/Health System Category is received by Scottish Rite for Children (Dallas) opioid reduction initiative for adolescents undergoing spinal fusion surgery for scoliosis. In response, Scottish Rite launched a multidisciplinary, data-driven program in 2017 to standardize prescribing, reduce unused narcotics and maintain effective pain control.
The HOSPAC Star Award recognizes outstanding hospital leaders and trustees who go above and beyond to support HOSPAC, the state and federal political action committees for THA.
The HOSPAC Star Award is received by Brad Holland, president/CEO of Hendrick Health.
The THA Pioneer Award is given to a CEO/administrator of a rural hospital or health care system who demonstrates creative and innovative management achievements and leadership within the organization and community.
The Pioneer Award is received by Jeff Tuner, FACHE, CEO of Moore County Hospital District.
The THA Legends Award is a special award of merit given to leaders who went above and beyond the call of duty for hospitals, patients and the health care industry throughout their careers. Honorees are retired hospital or health care system CEOs who served in Texas and have made significant contributions to THA and to the health care industry.
The Legends Award is received by Joel T. Allison, FACHE, former CEO of Baylor Scott & White Health.
THA’s Excellence in Community Service Award recognizes hospitals and health care systems that have distinguished themselves through contributions to their community.
The Excellence in Community Service Award is received by United Regional Health Care System for their Mobile Pantry and Health Screenings Program, which helps address the social determinants of health while creating stronger connections between residents and local providers.
About the Texas Hospital Association
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 more than 488 of the state’s non-federal general and specialty hospitals and health care systems, which employ some 400,000 health care professionals statewide.