Texas Children's Hospital begins search for new president

Texas Children's Hospital in Houston is seeking a new President to report to the current CEO Mark A. Wallace. Wallace will keep his title of CEO.

In an announcement made on May 4, the health care system confirmed that it had hired executive search firm Heidrick and Struggles, based in Chicago, to find its perfect candidate. C. Parker Shaper said that both internal and external candidates would be considered by the TCH Board of Trustees.

Shaper stated that 'this is a pivotal role search and it's our humble responsibility to identify the best candidate for this role and Texas Children's'.

Michael C. Linn - the chair of TCH’s Board of Trustees - hinted in his announcement at Wallace's departure.

Linn stated that, 'While Mark would like to remain as the President and CEO of Texas Children's for eternity, we recognize that the next generation in leadership must begin'.

Wallace has been president and CEO of Texas Children's Hospital for the past 34 years. He has also held various leadership positions in the organization over a period of 45 years. In the last five year, TCH has expanded its facilities in both the Texas Medical Center of Houston and the city Austin.

TCH has contracted Chicago-based JLL for the July 2020 lease of the Texas Medical Center twin-spire tower at 6624 Fannin St., which it acquired from Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center back in 2016. Wallace called the deal a once in a lifetime one.

TCH Austin's expansion began in 2018 with urgent care centers and special care for children. The health care system announced plans in 2020 to build a $450-million hospital in the capital of the state. The hospital will be 48 beds, and span over 360,000 square feet. It was reported that construction would finish in the fourth quarter this year.

Wallace led TCH during the peak and initial years of the Covid-19 epidemic, when Harris Health transferred adult patients to TCH. In April 2020, Wallace and TCH's executive team took a 20% pay cut and in 2021 approved additional leave and raises for the staff.

TCH was named the No. The system continues its five-year streak of placing in the top five children's hospitals nationwide. Houston Business Journal's research ranked Texas Children's as the No. According to a Houston Business Journal study, Texas Children's Hospital will be the No. 6 hospital in Houston by licensed beds in 2022.