Texas Health Resources announces Doug Hawthorne stepping down from CEO position by end of year

Board of Trustees conducting nationwide search for next CEO who will continue to advance the transformation of healthcare in North Texas

ARLINGTON, Texas, Jan. 14, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Texas Health Resources announced today that longtime chief executive officer Douglas D. Hawthorne, FACHE, has provided the Board of Trustees with notice of his intent to step down from his role as chief executive officer by the end of this year.  Hawthorne has served as CEO of Texas Health Resources since its inception in 1997, when he orchestrated the consolidation of Presbyterian Healthcare Resources, Harris Methodist Health System and Arlington Memorial Hospital.

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"For 43 years, my family and I have been blessed to serve Texas Health Resources," said Hawthorne in a letter to the board and other leaders of Texas Health.  "This has been an amazing journey and one for which I am extremely grateful.  After much prayer and discernment – and with the blessing of the Board of Trustees – Martha and I have decided that it is time for us to spend more time with our children and grandchildren.  We will also devote more time to serving the community in areas that are close to our hearts."

Hawthorne said Texas Health is ready for the challenges that lie ahead, and that he will work closely with the Board of Trustees as they name a successor.  Board chair Anne T. Bass is leading a board committee in the nationwide search that will include internal and external candidates with the intention of having the new leader in place by the fall of 2014.

"Texas Health has one of the strongest leadership teams of any healthcare system in the country – and this will not change," Bass said.  "We are financially stable and have the necessary resources and expertise to complete a successful realization of our strategy to transform healthcare in North Texas and become a nationally recognized health leader.  Doug's influence can be seen throughout the organization – from his strong relationships with employees, volunteers and physicians to leaders throughout the community.

"On behalf of the board, I would like to express our deep gratitude to Doug for his service and dedication to Texas Health Resources.  He has steadfastly upheld and defended our mission in the midst of the ever-changing healthcare environment and led this great organization to what it is today – a leading, innovative health system.  His legacy will live on through the thousands of lives his leadership has touched."

Hawthorne will continue as CEO until a successor is named.

"I am as proud as anyone could be of the progress Texas Health has made in transforming the delivery of healthcare and becoming the health system of choice in North Texas," Hawthorne said.  "Whoever leads the Texas Health team will be blessed, as I have been, by the unflagging integrity, heart-felt compassion and unsurpassed excellence of the people at all levels of this remarkable organization.  With great love, faith and hope for Texas Health and the communities we serve, I look forward to making this transition in leadership."

Hawthorne began his healthcare leadership career in 1970, as an administrative resident with Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas while completing his Master of Science in Healthcare Administration from Trinity University in San Antonio.  Over the years, he continually rose through the leadership ranks to become president and CEO of Presbyterian Healthcare System and Presbyterian Healthcare Resources, a position he held when Texas Health Resources was formed. 

Known throughout the healthcare industry as a strategic visionary, Hawthorne has served in dozens of leadership roles at the national, state and regional levels.  He was named to Modern Healthcare magazine's annual list of the "100 Most Influential People in Healthcare" in 2012 and 2013, and was on the magazine's annual list of "100 Most Powerful People in Healthcare" six times in prior years.  Hawthorne was featured on the December 2013 cover of HealthLeaders magazine as one of "The HealthLeaders Twenty," all of whom are national leaders selected for making a difference in healthcare.

Living his philosophy of being a "servant leader," Hawthorne has continually served numerous civic and community organizations, ranging from being a Reserve Elder of Highland Park Presbyterian Church, to lifetime board member of Circle Ten Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and lifetime member of the Salesmanship Club of Dallas.

About Texas Health Resources
Texas Health Resources is one of the largest faith-based, nonprofit health systems in the United States. The health system includes 25 acute care and short-stay hospitals that are owned, operated, joint-ventured or affiliated with Texas Health Resources. It includes the Texas Health Presbyterian, Texas Health Arlington Memorial, Texas Health Harris Methodist and Texas Health Huguley Hospitals, Texas Health Physicians Group, outpatient facilities, behavioral health and home health, preventive and fitness services, and an organization for medical research and education.

For more information about Texas Health Resources, call 1-877-THR-WELL, or visit www.texashealth.org.

SOURCE Texas Health Resources