President Barack Obama in an April, 2016 photograph with Margaret Jordan.

A president/CEO of Dallas Medical Resource since 2004, Margaret H. Jordan was announced today as the DFW Hospital Council’s (DFWHC) 2016 recipient of the Distinguished Health Service Award. The honor will be presented during DFWHC’s 68th Annual Awards Luncheon, October 18 at Arlington Convention Center.

“Margaret’s career in North Texas healthcare and her dedicated involvement in the community make her one of the most deserving recipients in the history of the award,” said W. Stephen Love, president/CEO of DFWHC. “Her commitment, volunteer work and voice for social change have been instrumental in improving healthcare and patient safety in Texas.”

A founding director of the National Black Nurses Association, Jordan has also served as the president/CEO of the Margaret Jordan Group and was executive vice president of corporate affairs at Texas Health Resources from 2000-2006.

Jordan has earned many awards for her work including the 2012 Dallas Historical Society’s Community Service Award, the Dallas County Medical Society Health Award and the Alumni of the Year Award from the University of California Berkeley. She has been a director of multiple organizations including the American Hospital Association, the Texas Hospital Association, the Metropolitan United Way and the YWCA.

Jordan is also a direct descendant of Paul Jennings, U.S. President James Madison’s enslaved manservant. Jennings served Madison throughout the president’s lifetime. His historical memoir, “A Colored Man’s Reminiscences of James Madison” published in 1865, is considered the first-ever book about life in the White House.

The Distinguished Health Service Award has been bestowed annually for 68 years. Since 1948, residents of the Dallas/Fort Worth area have been honored for their dedication and support of healthcare including Dr. Merlyn Sayers (2015), Dr. Wright Lassiter, Jr. (2014), Senator Florence Shapiro (2013), T. Boone Pickens (2012), Mayor Mike and Rosie Moncrief (2011), Ray and Nancy Ann Hunt (2009), Ross and Margot Perot (2008), Jerry Gilmore (2007), Ruben Esquivel (1992), Tom Vandergriff (1985), J. Erik and Margaret Jonsson (1974) and Joe Dealey (1967).

In addition to Ms. Jordan, DFWHC will also honor the Young Healthcare Executive of the Year and the Kerney Laday, Sr. Trustee of the Year during the Oct. 18 luncheon.

In support of the luncheon’s theme “Up for Debate: The Presidential Elections,” keynote speakers Tucker Carlson of FOX News and Eugene Robinson of The Washington Post will discuss what is sure to be one of the more energetic presidential elections in U.S. history. The great Carlson/Robinson debate will be moderated by Lauren Silverman of KERA News.

The event is sponsored in part by Hall Render and CampbellWilson Healthcare Consulting. Sponsorships and tickets will go on sale this week. For information, please contact Chris Wilson at 972-719-4900 or chrisw@dfwhc.org.