• Baylor alum named among nation’s 20 most influential in healthcare

    Joel AllisonAs president and CEO of Baylor Health Care System, Joel Allison, BA ’70, has overseen a great deal of change during the past year. But one honor has remained amazingly consistent for the Baylor graduate; for the ninth time in the last 10 years, Allison has been recognized as one of Modern Healthcare’s100 Most Influential People in Healthcare.”

    Allison checks in at No. 19 on the list, listed among other influential politicians, healthcare CEOs, U.S. Cabinet members and even President Barack Obama himself.

    The 1970 graduate never anticipated a career in healthcare when he first came to Baylor. Allison received an athletic scholarship, lettering in football in 1969, and initially planned on continuing on to seminary. But after recognizing that healthcare could be a form of ministry, he followed the path that led to his leadership role as one of the top voices in his field.

    Allison joined Baylor Health Care System (BHCS) in Dallas in 1993 and was promoted to president and CEO seven years later. Over the course of the last year, he has led BHCS through a merger with another major Texas healthcare provider, Scott & White, eventually signing the agreement this past June. Once the merger is complete, the new Baylor Scott & White Health will encompass more than 40 hospitals across North and Central Texas (including Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center in Waco), with more than 6,000 affiliated doctors and 34,000 employees.

    In his spare time, Allison also serves Baylor University as a Regent (elected by the Baptist General Convention of Texas last summer). He and his wife, Diane (BA ’70) are both Baylor graduates, as is their son Blake (BSED ’01).

    Sic ’em, Joel!