The DFW Hospital Council (DFWHC) announced today Congressman Dr. Michael Burgess and Congresswoman Kay Granger will be the 2024 recipients of its Distinguished Health Service Award, an honor dating back to 1948. The award will be presented during DFWHC’s 76th Annual Awards Luncheon on October 18 at the Loews Arlington Hotel in the Honor Ballroom.

U.S. Rep. Burgess has represented Texas’s 26th congressional district since 2003. He is one of nine medical doctors in Congress, and one of seven in the House of Representatives. Prior to his political career, he completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Parkland Memorial Hospital where over the course of his tenure he delivered more than 3,000 babies. Burgess has chaired the GOP Doctor’s Caucus, a group of 19 medical professionals in the House Republican Conference. He was a part of the reauthorization of the Food and Drug Administration in 2017, playing a big role in hearing aids now being an over-the-counter item. He also reauthorized the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Burgess is a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and a member of Subcommittees on Health, Energy and Oversight and Investigations. After his long political career, Burgess announced in 2023 that he would step down and not seek re-election this year.

A former mayor of Fort Worth, U.S. Rep. Granger has served Texas’s 12th congressional district since 1997. The longest-serving Republican in the Texas delegation, Granger announced last year that she would not seek reelection. Granger is widely respected on both sides of the aisle in Congress. She is the first Texas Republican woman to serve in Congress and is currently the dean of Texas’ Republican delegation. She organizes weekly lunches with her fellow Texas Republicans to foster a united front in the delegation. Granger was chair of the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations from 2023 to 2024, one of the most powerful positions held by a Texan in Congress, setting funding levels for a host of government programs involving healthcare. She has also been a steadfast supporter of a strong defense and in her Fort Worth-based district, the F-35 fighter jet has been manufactured.

“Congressman Burgess and Congresswoman Granger have been great friends of North Texas healthcare throughout their careers,” said Stephen Love, president/CEO of DFWHC. “Their leadership roles over the past two decades have been crucial in strengthening healthcare within our communities. We are looking forward to honoring them.”

The Young Healthcare Executive of the Year and the Kerney Laday, Sr. Trustee of the Year awards will also be presented during the luncheon. An additional highlight will be the appearance of Shannon Miller as keynote speaker. The famous Olympic gymnast won seven medals during her career. She is also a cancer survivor and will discuss her “Gold Medal Mindset” for creating awareness and survivorship.

Sponsored in part by Hall Render and Forvis Mazars, the event will begin with a reception at 11:00 a.m. followed by the luncheon and awards from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. For information, please contact Chris Wilson at chrisw@dfwhc.org.