Joel Allison Ranks 23rd on Modern Healthcare's 'Most Powerful People in Healthcare' List

Only Texan in top 25; Marks seventh time named to the list

DALLAS, Aug. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Baylor Health Care System president and CEO, Joel Allison, has once again been ranked on Modern Healthcare magazine's "100 Most Powerful People in Healthcare" list, marking the seventh year the Dallas/Fort Worth health care executive has been included in this national ranking. At No. 23, Allison is the highest-ranked Texan on the list. Those voted to the national "Most Powerful" list are considered to be among the most influential in the health care industry, which includes both public and private sector leaders.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100825/DC55088 )

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100825/DC55088 )

The 2010 ranking was published in the Aug. 23 issue of Modern Healthcare magazine.

"I'm honored and humbled to have made the list this year," says Allison. "I'm in the company of some of the most influential leaders in the country, but I see this recognition as a reflection of Baylor's reputation for quality patient care and our top-notch team that provides it."

Allison also was one of only a handful of leaders interviewed for an extensive story which accompanied the publication of the list in the Aug. 23 issue of Modern Healthcare. He discussed Baylor's new Vision 2015 initiative and the organization's efforts to build the Quality Health Care Alliance, or an accountable care organization (ACO), which he sees as the future of health care.

"Baylor has created a seven-point vision for the future that is centered around the patient and utilizes advanced technology to deliver seamless care without losing the human touch," explains Allison.

As an ACO, Allison says Baylor is focusing on creating a medical home for patients, pay for performance quality outcomes and wellness initiatives such as the Diabetes Health and Wellness Institute (DHWI) in South Dallas. Baylor opened the DHWI in June to provide care for patients with diabetes in an underserved area.

"We hope some of the initiatives we've created here at Baylor will become a model for other health care providers nationwide," he adds.

Allison was nominated for this prestigious honor along with nearly 56,000 other health care leaders from around the country. The final ballot, which was voted on by Modern Healthcare readers, consisted of 300 nominees. More than 800,000 votes were cast, a 56 percent increase from last year.

About Baylor Health Care System

Baylor Health Care System is a faith-based supporting organization providing services to a network of acute care hospitals and related health care entities that provide patient care, medical education, research and community service. Baylor serves nearly 1.4 million patients each year and recorded $3.4 billion in total operating revenue, $3.9 billion in total assets and $468 million in community benefit in fiscal year 2010. Baylor's network of 212 access points includes 26 owned/operated/ ventured/ affiliated hospitals, 21 ambulatory surgical/endoscopy centers, 31 satellite outpatient locations, four senior centers and 131 HealthTexas physician clinics. HealthTexas is the largest group of employed physicians in the state of Texas.

SOURCE Baylor Health Care System