Allison Honored with Hospital Association's Hig...( AUSTIN Texas Jan. 22 -- Joel T. Alli...),Health

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 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 received 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 tha
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