Newswise — Joel T. Allison, FACHE, president/CEO of Baylor Health Care System in Dallas, has been named the 2008 recipient of the Texas Hospital Association's Earl M. Collier Award for Distinguished Health Care Administration.
Established in 1965, the Collier Award is the highest honor bestowed by THA. Allison will receive the award on Jan. 22 at THA's annual Leadership Conference in Austin.
"Joel Allison exemplifies the leadership qualities that this award recognizes," said Dan Stultz, M.D., FACP, FACHE, president/CEO of THA. "He is an approachable, hands-on leader whose commitment to patient care is an example for all," Stultz said.
Allison has been on the front lines of change throughout his career, which included leadership in a turnaround situation, a faith-based facility, a public sector facility and a children's hospital before joining Baylor in 1993. He spent seven years as senior executive vice president/CEO at Baylor before becoming president/CEO in 2000.
Each of his previous positions prepared Allison for the unique demands of leading a large and growing health system like Baylor. As CEO, he launched a system-wide quality initiative, which includes a Quality Institute, Office of Patient Centeredness and the new role of chief safety officer. The initiative is designed to influence every aspect of care at every Baylor facility.
"I am so honored to receive this award, especially since I was fortunate to know Mr. Collier," said Allison. Early in his career, Allison served as an administrative resident at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene, where Earl Collier built his reputation as the dean of hospital administration in Texas. "Although he had retired as CEO, he was still very much involved with the hospital, visiting patients and staff every day," said Allison. "Mr. Collier believed in making patients the center of all that you do, and that has influenced me throughout my career."
To those who work with him, Allison's commitment to quality is apparent.
"When you are around Joel, you know that quality and patients come first," said Irving Prengler, M.D., vice president of medical staff affairs at Baylor University Medical Center.
"Whether you are with him one-on-one or in a crowd of thousands, you're always aware of what the Baylor vision is. When he tells you about our vision, it's not rote recitation, it's got energy and enthusiasm " and it makes you believe you can attain that vision."
Allison gives much of the credit for his success to his wife, Diane, who he married 40 years ago when they were both students at Baylor University. They have a daughter, two sons and five grandchildren. In addition to his active involvement with the Texas Hospital Association, Allison is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Nationally, he serves on the Healthcare Leadership Council and the National Quality Forum, and he also is a member of the United Surgical Partners International board. In addition, he serves on numerous state and local boards, including VHA Texas, Texas Association of Voluntary Hospitals, Dallas Citizens Council, Dallas Education Foundation and the Dallas Regional Chamber. He is the recipient of numerous awards and consistently is ranked by Modern Healthcare as one of the "100 Most Powerful People in Healthcare."
About the Texas Hospital AssociationFounded 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 85 percent of the state's hospitals and health care systems, which employ some 340,000 health care professionals statewide. To learn more, visit www.texashospitalsonline.org.
About Baylor Health Care SystemBaylor Health Care System, a not-for-profit health care provider based in North Texas, is a growing network of hospitals, primary care and specialty care centers, rehabilitation clinics, senior health centers and affiliated ambulatory surgery centers.
An employer of more than 16,000 people, Baylor ranks as one of the largest private-sector employers in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing, Baylor exists to serve all people through exemplary health care, education, research and community service. For fiscal year 2008, Baylor Health Care System will report $429.5 million in community benefits to the Department of State Health Services.
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