Two members receive prestigious awards at HCADAA Dinner

John Haupert ’83, M’92, FACHE, president and CEO of Grady Health System (GHS) in Atlanta, was honored with the 2019 Duce Award, which was established in the mid 1970s by the HCADAA to honor a graduate of the program who has shown outstanding leadership and made significant contributions to the field of health services administration. Named after Leonard A. Duce, a former dean of the Graduate School at Trinity and one of the program’s founding faculty members, the award is presented annually. Enrique Gallegos ’06, FACHE, CEO of Laredo Medical Center (LMC), received with the 2019 Momentum Award. The Momentum Award was established in 2015 to recognize early careerists under age 40 for outstanding achievements in the field of health care management.

Saying that he was stunned to learn of his award, John says, “It seems like only yesterday that I attended my first Duce Award dinner in Chicago, Ill in 1990, and it would have been beyond my wildest imagination that, 29 years later, I would be receiving that award. I am eternally grateful to our HCAD Alumni Association for this recognition.”

John has dedicated his career to serving not-for-profit and public academic safety net systems and hospitals and made exceptional contributions to the health care industry at both the local and state levels. He began his career in Dallas at Methodist Health System and Parkland Health and Hospital System. In 2011, he joined GHS, the safety net health care system serving Fulton and DeKalb Counties in Georgia. It is the primary Level 1 trauma and burn center for the Atlanta metropolitan area and home to many clinical services, including Grady EMS, one of the largest hospital-based EMS agencies in the U.S. The system also serves as the primary training site for the Morehouse and Emory Schools of Medicine. In addition to his responsibilities at GHS, John serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Georgia Hospital Association, on the executive committee of the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals, the Board of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, and is a former Chair of the Atlanta Committee for Progress. In 2015, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal appointed him to the Georgia Department of Public Health Board.

Nationally, John serves on the Board of Trustees of the American Hospital Association (AHA), where he chairs the Committee on Health Strategy and Innovation and the Santa Fe Opera. His many honors include the ACHE Regent’s Leadership Award, the Healthcare Legend Award from the Legendary Foundation (2018), the Leadership Award from the National Medical Fellowships (2017), the Grassroots Champion Award by the American Hospital Association (AHA) (2016), and the Community Builder Award from Georgia Equity (2016). In 2015, John  was inducted into the Studer Group Fire Starter Hall of Fame. Earlier this year the CEO Forum named John one of the 10 CEOs Transforming Health Care in America.

Equally surprised by his award, Enrique says it certainly was a great honor to learn about it from his friend and former boss Mike McBride ’90, and that Don Beeler ’73, his preceptor, friend, and mentor had enthusiastically endorsed him. “It was humbling to know that they are proud of my career trajectory and I am indebted to them for affording me that first shot that put me on a rewarding career path,” Enrique says. He also extends his appreciation to the HCADAA Board “for this meaningful recognition” and adds “it’s truly gratifying to be leading a hospital in my community that cares for thousands of patients annually and is among the largest employers in town. I am excited about the disruptive innovation occurring in the industry that is redesigning how we address health care.”

Enrique began his career at Christus Santa Rosa Health System in San Antonio where he led projects to open a diagnostic vascular lab, improved operating room turnover times, and worked successfully on the acquisition of a freestanding imaging center. From this successful start, he became COO at the Hospitals of Providence Sierra Campus in El Paso, Texas where he led efforts to achieve stroke center accreditation from The Joint Commission (TJC), initiated a Pulmonary Center of Excellence, increased cardiac rehab services, and expanded outpatient services into surrounding communities. He also oversaw several major capital investments, including an interventional neuroradiology suite and a hybrid operating room.

Enrique joined LMC in 2014, and under his leadership, the hospital has demonstrated growth across key service lines, improved quality, forged stronger relationships with its medical staff, and improved financial performance year-over-year. Additional achievements include opening two urgent care clinics, growing the neuroscience program, opening the first dedicated Bone and Joint Center, and establishing two residency programs in family and internal medicine, making LMC the first hospital in the community to offer Graduate Medical Education. Currently, Enrique is overseeing the construction of a freestanding ER slated to open next year. He is justifiably proud that the LMD rating has ascended to four stars as measured by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Board certified in Healthcare Management, Enrique is an inaugural member of the Texas Hospital Association Leadership Fellows Program and serves as Chairman of the Board of the Laredo Chamber of Commerce and on Trinity’s HCAD Advisory Council.

Congratulations to both John and Enrique for this notable recognition of their outstanding contributions in the field of health care administration. Their careers continue to be an inspiration, benefitting the lives of countless individuals.