News Board Names Jesus Garza to Lead Seton Healthcare Family

AUSTIN, Texas - (Jan. 23, 2012) - The Seton Board of Trustees has named Jesus Garza president and interim chief executive officer of Central Texas' leading health care and community service organization. He was executive vice president and chief operating officer of Seton and president of the Seton Family of Hospitals.

Garza steps into the role held by Charles J. Barnett, FACHE, for most of the past 18 years. Garza now serves on Seton's Board and will guide the development of a governance structure that matches Seton's new clinical entities and its growing role in medical education, research and innovation.

Barnett has been named President, Healthcare Operations and Chief Operating Officer at Ascension Health.

Garza joined Seton in 2002 following a distinguished career in private- and public-sector leadership. An experienced manager of complex organizations, he is also known for implementing strong community partnerships. He will lead Seton's efforts to transform health care in Central Texas from a fragmented, provider-centric model to a system that is easier for patients to navigate and, because it is more efficient, improves access to needed services.

"Jesus was new to health care a decade ago, but I can think of no other individual who has better helped us understand the predicament of the patient and the case for change," said Barnett, a 40-year industry veteran. "He is passionate about improving the health of our community by bringing down barriers and improving the value delivered. He shares my bias for innovation that makes a difference in the lives of Central Texans."

Prior to coming to Seton, Garza served as deputy general manager for the Lower Colorado River Authority following his service as city manager for the City of Austin, a position he held for eight years. He led the City during a period of economic and population expansion. His tenure included business development, downtown revitalization and the opening of the Austin Bergstrom International Airport. He was responsible for the leadership of city-owned Brackenridge Hospital during the time when it was named a regional Trauma Center and was the city's negotiator in the lease agreement that brought the facility, now University Medical Center Brackenridge, into the Seton Family.

He began his government career in Austin in 1978 followed by increasingly responsible roles there. He also served as assistant city manager and deputy city manager in Corpus Christi, Texas, and returned to Central Texas to become executive director of the Texas Water Commission. (More)