JINSA Presented Texas Children’s Hospital CEO Mark Wallace with its 2009 Houston Leadership Award

The Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA) conferred its Houston Leadership Award for 2009 upon Mark A. Wallace, President and Chief Executive Officer of Texas Children’s Hospital, at a gala dinner October 20 at the Westin Galleria. In his acceptance speech, Wallace thanked JINSA for its tireless efforts to promote U.S. national security and a vibrant U.S.-Israel strategic relationship.

The Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA) conferred its Houston Leadership Award for 2009 upon Mark A. Wallace, President and Chief Executive Officer of Texas Children’s Hospital, at a gala dinner October 20 at the Westin Galleria. In his acceptance speech, Wallace thanked JINSA for its tireless efforts to promote U.S. national security and a vibrant U.S.-Israel strategic relationship.

Wallace, the 17th recipient of JINSA’s Houston Leadership Award, was lauded for his efforts to increase the scope and quality of care at Texas Children’s Hospital, an institution that has immeasurably improved the quality of life for literally hundreds of thousands of families from Houston and the State of Texas. He noted that his employees, dozens of whom were in attendance, were what make the hospital the best pediatric medical center in the country.

Gary Stein, a member of JINSA’s Board of Directors, opened the evening event and introduced the keynote speaker, U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Edward G. Winters, III, the commander of the Naval Special Warfare Command, home of the famous SEAL naval commandos that are one of our country’s greatest assets in the Global War on Terrorism.

JINSA Vice President Ted Dinerstein introduced Wallace and presented him with the leadership award. Mr. Dinerstein, a past president of the organization, noted Mr. Wallace’s importance to the city and the surrounding areas. He commented that Texas Children’s Hospital is one the largest employers in Houston with more than 6,500 employees. But it wasn’t always so, Mr. Dinerstein reminded the crowd. The hospital’s dramatic expansion occurred under Mr. Wallace’s leadership and followed a specific vision he had laid out. Since Mr. Wallace took over as CEO in 1989, he presided over the hospital’s expansion to become not only the largest pediatric care network in the United States treating 2.4 million children annually.

Mr. Dinerstein also noted that under Mr. Wallace’s leadership, Texas Children’s Hospital is recognized as one of the best places to work. In fact, the Houston Business Journal ranked it the #1 Best Place to Work in 2009. This, Mr. Dinerstein said was a real tribute to Mr. Wallace’s visionary leadership since the Journal’s ranking system is based solely on employee satisfaction, teamwork and leadership trust.

After Mr. Stein’s introduction, Rear Admiral Winters thanked JINSA for its steadfast support of Naval Special Operations. He explained that today’s SEALs are better than ever before. They fight against a determined foe that does not respect the rules of war, he said. “You need not worry,” he told the audience of some 500 of Houston’s most prominent citizens, “the SEALs are ready and willing.”

Rear Admiral Winters also commented on JINSA’s Grateful Nation Award that is presented annually to six young serviceman or woman, one from each of the branches of the U.S. armed services and the U.S. Special Operations Command in recognition of their superior conduct in the war against terrorists and their supporters. Winters said the award is exceedingly important as it lets the military community to know just how much the American public appreciates the sacrifices they make on a daily basis.