UT Health East Texas recognized with top awards for excellence in leadership, quality and overall performance
Tyler, Texas (February 18, 2026) — UT Health East Texas today announced that two of its leaders and two facilities have been recognized with top honors by its parent company Ardent Health, highlighting excellence in leadership, clinical quality, and organizational performance. The awards, The Ardent Cup, CEO of the Year, CNO of the Year, and the Quality Award, underscore the system’s commitment to providing exceptional care across East Texas.
UT Health Athens received the Ardent Cup, the highest honor an Ardent facility can earn. The award recognizes uncompromising excellence in overall performance, including clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, employee engagement and operational strength. Facilities earning the Ardent Cup must demonstrate exceptional results across multiple domains and exemplify the highest standards of healthcare delivery.
Todd Hill, CEO of UT Health East Texas Physicians, was named CEO of the Year. Presented annually, this award honors a leader who has made the most significant contribution to their team, patients and community while championing operational excellence and fostering a culture of collaboration. The recognition reflects Hill’s steadfast leadership and commitment to strengthening outpatient services and expanding access to high‑quality care throughout the region.
Krissy Chastain, chief nursing officer for UT Health Henderson and UT Health Carthage, was honored as CNO of the Year – recognizing an outstanding nursing leader who demonstrates excellence in clinical leadership while serving as a mentor and role model for nurses and clinical teams. Chastain’s leadership has driven improvements in clinical outcomes, nursing engagement and patient experience across both facilities.
UT Health Quitman was recognized with Ardent’s Quality Award, honoring exceptional performance across a range of clinical quality and patient safety measures, including infection rates, safety events and ratings from independent quality organizations. The award highlights Quitman’s unwavering commitment to delivering safe, high‑quality care to the communities it serves.
“These awards reflect the dedication, compassion and expertise of our teams across East Texas,” said Donald Baker, regional president of UT Health East Texas. “From outstanding leadership to the highest standards of quality and patient care, each of this year’s awardees embodies our mission of caring for others. We are proud of their accomplishments and grateful for the difference they make in the lives of our patients every day.”
UT Health East Texas awardees were selected from among eligible entities within Ardent Health, which includes 30 hospitals and 280 sites of care across six states.
About UT Health East Texas
UT Health East Texas provides care to thousands of patients each year through an extensive regional network that includes 9 hospitals, more than 90 clinics, the Olympic Plaza Tower, 13 regional rehabilitation facilities, two freestanding emergency centers, regional home health services, an EMS fleet of more than 65 ambulances and four helicopters, and a comprehensive eight-trauma center care network, including the region’s only Level 1 trauma facility.
As a partner with The University of Texas System, UT Health East Texas is uniquely positioned to provide patients with access to leading-edge research and clinical therapies while training and educating the next generation of physicians and other health professionals. The nationally recognized UT System also includes The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, as well as three other major university medical centers located throughout the state.
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