Michael Waters, LFACHE, former president/CEO of Hendrick Health System in Abilene, was the recipient of the 2017 Texas Hospital Association’s Legends Award. THA’s Legends Award is an honor bestowed on health care greats who had an extraordinary impact on Texas hospitals, patients and the health care industry throughout their career.

Waters is no stranger to being recognized for his achievements in the health care industry. The Texas Hospital Association honored him in 1995 with its Earl M. Collier Award for Distinguished Health Care Administration.

While at Hendrick Health System, Waters built strong relationships, and his visionary leadership had a profound effect on his colleagues and employees. Over the course of his 24-year tenure at Hendrick Health System, Waters led the expansion of Hendrick Medical Center as a true regional medical center serving large portions of West Central and West Texas.

In addition to his service to Hendrick Health System, Waters chaired the THA Board of Trustees, the American Hospital Association’s Regional Policy Board and the American College of Health Care Executives Board of Governors. Michael Waters is a legend in the health care industry and the perfect recipient of the THA’s Legends Award.

Presented during the THA Board of Trustees Dinner on Monday, Feb. 5, 2018.

Larry Mathis, former president/CEO of Methodist Hospital System in Houston, is no stranger to success or being recognized for his many accomplishments. The Texas Hospital Association honored him in 1991 with its Earl M. Collier Award for Distinguished Health Care Administration. Mathis was THA’s choice for its firstever Legends Award, an honor bestowed on health care greats who had an extraordinary impact on Texas hospitals, patients and the health care industry throughout their career.

While at Methodist, Mathis emphasized respect, dignity and service. His leadership and humility had a profound effect on his colleagues and employees, who still sing his praises today. Over the course of his 26-year tenure at Houston Methodist, Mathis’ enriched many people’s lives. He left at Methodist a legacy of greatness and leadership.

Under Mathis’ leadership, Methodist weathered numerous changes to the health care industry, and ultimately, it thrived. His emphasis on making every employee feel valued quickly made the hospital one of the nation’s most coveted places to work. Mathis positioned the hospital to grow from a single facility to the system that Houston Methodist is today—an organization of 16 corporations and 37 affiliated hospitals.

In addition to his service to Houston Methodist, Mathis chaired the American College of Health Care Executives, the American Hospital Association, and the THA Board of Trustees.

Larry Mathis truly is a legend and the perfect recipient for THA’s inaugural Legends Award.

Presented during the THA Board of Trustees Dinner on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017.