Huntsville, Texas (October 28, 2020) – Huntsville Memorial Hospital’s
new Board is taking the hospital to a level of renewed strength and united vision.
Ray Hernandez, Board Chair, shared, “Through a clear vision and aligned
governance, Huntsville Memorial Hospital will be the facility of choice
for residents of Walker County and the surrounding area. The Board is
capable and committed to make well-informed decisions to strengthen the
hospital and work alongside Community Hospital Corporation for continuous
financial, operational and clinical improvements.”
Hernandez added, “We are committed to put our talents to work to
uphold: Your health. Our community. Our commitment.” The eight-member
Board, including Hernandez, began its governance in June 2020 (See Board
member list below).
Core to a strong future is the alignment between HMH, the Walker County
Hospital District and Community Hospital Corporation (CHC). Formed in
February 2020 just prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, this partnership
provides HMH the expertise and support during this unprecedented time
and going forward. Through CHC, HMH has access to best practices and resources
in critical areas such as clinical programs, the revenue cycle and especially
the supply chain – bringing needed personal protective equipment
or PPE, efficiencies, cost reductions and support.
“I am thankful for our relationship with CHC and the Walker County
Hospital District, and for the individuals who have volunteered to serve
as Board members to guide our future,” said Steven Smith, HMH Chief
Executive Officer.
In proud service, the Huntsville Memorial Hospital Board of Directors includes:
Ray Hernandez, Chair, Huntsville Memorial Hospital Board of Directors
Ray Hernandez is president and CEO of the Huntsville-Walker County Chamber
of Commerce. He graduated with Honors from Southwest Texas State University,
received Economic Development training from Texas A&M University-College
Station, and graduated with Honors (Innovation 88) from the University
of Texas-Austin LBJ School of Public Affairs. Hernandez served in the
U.S. Army, as a Board Regent for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute
for Organizational Management program, a Vice President of Communications
for the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives, and as a Board Member for
the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. He currently serves
as a Board Member of the Center for Community Engagement at Sam Houston
State University.
Timothy Deahl, M.D., Vice Chair, Huntsville Memorial Hospital Board of Directors
Timothy Deahl, M.D., has served the Walker County community since 1992
when he opened his medical practice. He received a Bachelor of Science
Degree in Biology from the University of Texas and his medical degree
from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, finishing
in 1988. He then completed his residency at St. Joseph's Hospital
in Houston, Texas. He has served the local community for many years. This
year, Huntsville Memorial Hospital named Dr. Deahl Physician of the Year.
Steven Smith, FACHE, CEO/Secretary, Huntsville Memorial Hospital Board
of Directors
Steven Smith is Chief Executive Officer for Huntsville Memorial Hospital.
He has 40 years of experience in medical center executive leadership.
Smith attended the University of Alabama where he obtained his Bachelor
of Science in Business Administration. He then received his Master of
Science in Healthcare Administration from Trinity University. Smith is
a Board Certified Fellow (FACHE) designated by the American College of
Healthcare Executives. He also served three years as Board Chair for the
Texas Rural Accountable Care Organization (TRACO). Prior, Smith served
as CEO for Matagorda Regional Medical Center, Sugar Land Surgical Hospital,
and Kingwood Specialty Hospital. He also served as the Hospital President
and System Chief Operating Officer of Coffee Health Group, and President
and CEO of Memorial Medical Center.
Sujesh Pillai, M.D., Chief of Staff/Director, Huntsville Memorial Hospital
Board of Directors
Sujesh Pillai, M.D., is Chief of Staff at Huntsville Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Pillai was born in India and raised in Houston, Texas. He completed
his undergraduate studies at Lamar University. He then attended medical
school at St. George’s University in Grenada, West Indies. Dr. Pillai
completed his medical training in Internal Medicine at Louisiana State
University. He has since served Huntsville and Walker County at Huntsville
Memorial Hospital for the past 11 years.
Joe Sapp, Walker County Hospital District Director, Huntsville Memorial
Hospital Board of Directors
Joe Sapp is a director of the Walker County Hospital District (WCHD) Board
of Managers and serves as the WCHD representative on the Huntsville Memorial
Hospital Board of Directors. Born and raised in Conroe, Texas, Sapp received
his undergraduate degree in Pharmacy from the University of Texas. He
completed his residency in Hospital Pharmacy at Harris Hospital. Sapp
holds 49 years of experience in the field. He worked 13 years in retail
pharmacy before serving 23 years as the Director of Pharmacy at Huntsville
Memorial Hospital. He also spent 12 years with UTMB Correctional Managed
Care Pharmacy. Sapp is a graduate of the Huntsville Leadership Institute.
He also served as a past board member of the City of Huntsville Board
of Adjustments and Appeals, and on the board of the local chapter of the
American Heart Association.
Joe Thomason, Community Hospital Corporation Director, Huntsville Memorial
Hospital Board of Directors
Joe Thomason is Community Hospital Corporation’s (CHC) representative
on the Huntsville Memorial Hospital Board of Directors. Thomason is Senior
Vice President of Hospital Operations for CHC. He Received a Bachelor
of Business degree from West Texas State University. He then obtained
a Master of Business Administration and Health Organization Management
degree from Texas Tech University. Thomason has 30 years of experience
in hospital operations and administration. He has served as a Chief Operating
Officer for a Tenet Hospital in El Paso, Texas, Chief Executive Officer
for Centennial Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, and Chief Executive Officer
of RHD Memorial Medical Center in Dallas, and Brownsville Medical Center
in Brownsville, Texas.
Judy Upshaw, Community Director, Huntsville Memorial Hospital Board of Directors
Judy Upshaw serves as a Community Director on the Huntsville Memorial Hospital
Board of Directors. Upshaw received her Associate Degree in Nursing from
Tyler Junior College. She then obtained both her Bachelor of Science and
Masters of Science Degrees in Nursing from the University of Texas at
Arlington. A registered nurse for the past 24 years, Upshaw has been Clinical
Assistant Professor at Sam Houston State University School of Nursing
since 2013. She 110 Memorial Hospital Drive, Huntsville, TX 77340 •
www.huntsvillememorial.com currently serves as a committee member for
the School of Nursing and the College of Health Sciences. Upshaw was hired
by Huntsville Memorial Hospital as Director of the Correctional Care Unit
when it opened in 2011. She also formerly served as a Board Member for
the SAAFE House.
Trey Wharton, Community Director, Huntsville Memorial Hospital Board of Directors
Trey Wharton serves as a Community Director on the Huntsville Memorial
Hospital Board of Directors. Raised in Huntsville, Texas, he has owned
his own independent insurance agency since 1991. Wharton also serves as
an Investment Advisor Representative. He attended Texas Christian University
where he obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration. Wharton holds
multiple licenses, including a Series 65 License, a Series 63 License,
a Series 6 License, and a Life, Health, Property, and Casualty Insurance
License. He also serves on the Board of Trustees for Huntsville Independent
School District, and on the Board of Directors for the Huntsville Walker
County Chamber of Commerce.
About Huntsville Memorial Hospital
Huntsville Memorial Hospital, Huntsville, Texas, is a 123-bed, Joint Commission‐accredited,
not‐ for‐profit acute care community hospital. HMH delivers quality healthcare
services to the residents of Walker County and its surrounding communities,
a population of more than 72,000. HMH and its dedicated staff offer compassionate
care and the latest technologies and treatment solutions. HMH holds Joint
Commission Primary Stroke Center designation. HMH keeps community health
and wellness at the forefront of its mission. Please visit us at
www.huntsvillememorial.com.
About Community Hospital Corporation – HELP WHERE HOSPITALS NEED IT®
Community Hospital Corporation owns, manages and consults with hospitals
through three distinct organizations – CHC Hospitals, CHC Consulting
and CHC ContinueCARE, which share a common purpose to guide, support and
enhance the mission of community hospitals and healthcare providers. Based
in Plano, Texas, CHC provides the resources and experience community hospitals
need to improve quality outcomes, patient satisfaction and financial performance.
For more information about CHC, please visit
www.communityhospitalcorp.com