GALVESTON, Texas - The American Hospital Association, in partnership with the Texas Hospital Association, has awarded Karen H. Sexton, interim executive vice-president and chief executive officer of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Health System, with its annual Partnership for Action Grassroots Champion Award.
As the 2007 Texas Grassroots Champion, Sexton is being recognized for her exceptional leadership in generating grassroots and community activity in support of a hospital's mission.
The award was created to recognize those hospital leaders who most effectively educate elected officials on how major issues affect the hospital's vital role in the community, who have done an exemplary job in broadening the base of community support for the hospital, and are tireless advocates for the hospitals and their patients.
The award is presented annually to one individual from each state. Winners are chosen by the state association and will be recognized at a ceremony at the American Hospital Association's annual meeting in Washington, D.C., on April 8.
Sexton was recently named interim executive vice president and CEO for UTMB Health System. In this new role, she has executive oversight of the hospitals, clinics and correctional managed care entities. Sexton joined UTMB as chief operating officer in January 2001, after a 25-year career at the University of Kentucky Hospital in Lexington, Ky. Sexton was promoted to vice president and CEO of UTMB Hospitals and Clinics in September 2004. Since the beginning of her career in healthcare as a staff nurse in 1975, a driving force in her professional life has been a commitment to ensuring quality patient care.
The AHA is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the health improvement of their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which includes 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks, other providers of care and 37,000 individual members. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends.