More than 650 attendees turned out for the DFW Hospital Council’s (DFWHC) 76th Annual Awards Luncheon last Friday at the Loews Arlington Convention Center and Hotel. The event served as an opportunity for the hospitals of North Texas to honor residents and executives who have dedicated their lives towards improving healthcare in the community.

Congressman Dr. Michael Burgess and Congresswoman Kay Granger were presented with the Distinguished Health Service Award, an honor dating back to 1948.

DFWHC also presented the 2024 Young Healthcare Executive of the Year award to Ryan Gebhart, senior vice president of Baylor Scott & White Health and president of Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Centennial; and the Kerney Laday, Sr. Trustee of the Year Award to Ron Carter of Baylor Scott & White Health and Randall Canedy of Methodist Health System.

“We were thrilled by the turnout for this year’s Annual Awards Luncheon,” said Stephen Love, president/CEO of DFWHC. “This was our first time hosting the event at the Loews Arlington Hotel and we have received nothing but compliments about the new location. Most importantly, it was our privilege to honor Congressman Michael Burgess, Congresswoman Kay Granger, Ron Carter, Randall Canedy and Ryan Gebhart for their great leadership. They were all fully deserving of the awards.”

An additional highlight was the appearance of Shannon Miller as keynote speaker. The famous Olympic gymnast won seven medals during her career, and she discussed her athletic accomplishments in addition to her healthcare challenges after being diagnosed with cancer. A cancer survivor, she detailed her personal “Gold Medal Mindset” when making a healthcare a priority and the importance of fitness and wellbeing.

The luncheon opened with the introduction of 30-plus Chairs of the North Texas hospitals’ boards of trustees. The National Anthem was performed by AweDacity, an Arlington-based barbershop quartet to include Gil Carrick, David Weick, Scott Simmons and Richard Ebsen.

Young Healthcare nominees presented awards this year included Sharita Butler of Children’s Health; Kevin Greene of Cook Children’s; Christina Mathis of Medical City Healthcare; Cody Hunter of Methodist Health System; Chad Collins of Texas Health Resources; and Martin Marshall of UT Southwestern.

Jessica O’Neal, DFWHC Chair and CEO of Medical City Las Colinas, served as Master of Ceremonies. Jon Roth, president/CEO of the Dallas County Medical Society provided the Invocation while Kathryn Keaton, program director at Tarrant County Medical Society, provided the Benediction.

Platinum Sponsors included Hall Render and Forvis Mazars. GroupOne Background Screening, Konica Minolta and Oncor served as Gold Sponsors. Silver Sponsors included Accenture and Lyda Hill Philanthropies.

Hospital Platinum Sponsors were Children’s Health, Medical City Healthcare and Texas Health. Baylor Scott & White Health served as a Gold Sponsor while JPS Health Network, Methodist Health System and Parkland Health were Silver Sponsors.

Bronze Sponsors included Axio Tech Solutions, Cantey Hanger LLP, Forefront Living, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, Resultant, Southwest Transplant Alliance, Cook Children’s, Kindred Hospitals, Scottish Rite for Children, Texas Health Huguley and UT Southwestern.