Mark A. Wallace, the Chief Executive Officer of Texas Children's Hospital, has decided to step down from his role with his retirement set for October 4, after more than three decades of leadership, his announcement marks the end of an era for the institution. Under Wallace's tenure, which began when he was just 36 years old, Texas Children's has seen significant expansion in the Houston region, with developments including the opening of two community hospitals and the Pavilion for Women in 2012, and, more recently, a new hospital in Austin as cited by Texas Children's board chair Park Shaper, the Houston Chronicle reports.
"After 35 years of dedicated service, Mark has not only led this hospital with unparalleled vision and integrity but has touched the lives of every single person who walked through these doors," Shaper said, according to the Houston Chronicle, and Wallace himself conveyed his sentiments about this transition, reminiscing on his time spent on the hospital's growth and expressing enthusiasm for his next chapter, which will include more family time and potential new adventures.
Debra Sukin, Ph.D., has been groomed to be his successor, having served under Wallace's supervision for the past year to smooth the impending leadership shift. On October 5, she will officially take the reins as President & CEO of Texas Children's Hospital, "It has been an honor to work with Mark Wallace over this past year and I want to thank him for his visionary leadership which has grown the world's largest women's and children's hospital," Sukin told PR Newswire.
In response to Wallace's retirement, Tym Tombar, Vice Chair of the Texas Children's Board of Trustees, told PR Newswire that "Mark has been the heart and soul of Texas Children's for decades and his departure, although very well-deserved, is truly bittersweet," and he praised the effectiveness of Wallace's succession plan, underscoring shared board confidence, in Debbie Sukin's ability to propel the hospital forward, maintaining its commitment to pediatric and women's healthcare in the future years to come.
