Texas Health Resources Board of Trustees names Barclay Berdan next CEO

ARLINGTON, Texas, July 28, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Board of Trustees of Texas Health Resources today announced the selection of Barclay E. Berdan, FACHE, as the next chief executive officer of the health system effective September 1.  Berdan is replacing long-time CEO Doug Hawthorne, FACHE, who announced last January that he was stepping down from the CEO position.  Board chair Anne T. Bass led the search committee composed of board members and physicians who conducted a nation-wide search.

"The board recognized that Barclay Berdan has a unique combination of attributes," said Bass.  "He is a forward-thinking visionary with a personally-engaging leadership style.  He brings a well-rounded perspective and unique leadership strengths to the CEO position.  At the same time, he represents stability and continuity that will be critical to advancing our strategy as we confront the challenges of a rapidly changing health care environment.  He is a true servant-leader who fosters a spirit of collaboration and sets high expectations of performance for every person in the organization."

The search committee of nine people included three physicians in recognition of the vital role of physician and clinical leadership as the organization moves forward in the final three years of its 10-year strategic plan and beyond.

Glenn Hardesty, D.O., one of the physicians on the search committee, said, "Barclay has a proven track record of seeking input from physicians and listening to our concerns.  His first priority, as is that of the physicians, is always to do what is best for the patient.  He is a leader who inspires trust and confidence among physicians and clinical leaders."

The search committee presented their recommendation to the full Board of Trustees, and the board approved the selection earlier today.

"I am deeply honored to be asked to serve as the next CEO of Texas Health Resources," said Berdan.  "We are at a crossroads in medicine and overall well-being.  This is a time of unprecedented and often disruptive change in the health care environment.  It's also a time of great opportunity to make significant advancements in enhancing well-being for the communities we serve across North Texas.  We must focus on access and convenience by providing products and services in affordable settings so that we can meet the needs of those we serve in every stage of their life's journey.  We will become the benchmark of quality, safety and customer experience that other health systems around the country want to emulate."

Berdan began his career in health care administration in Chicago in 1977. In 1986, he joined the Harris Methodist Health System as the vice president/administrator of Harris Methodist Southwest.  He helped establish Texas Health Resources as the market leading health system in North Texas, serving as president of Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth and moving through a series of higher system-level positions.  He was named executive vice president of the health system in 2005.  In 2007, he became senior executive vice president, System Alignment and Performance for Texas Health Resources.  In 2012, he was named Texas Health's senior executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Berdan has a rich history of involvement in business, community and health-related organizations, including the Texas Association of Volunteer Hospitals, Texas Hospital Association, LifeGift, American Hospital Association, Dallas Fort Worth Hospital Council, American Heart Association, Tarrant County, and Fort Worth Sister Cities International.  He earned his BS in biology from Texas Christian University and his MBA from the University of Chicago, specializing in hospital administration.

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.

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SOURCE Texas Health Resources