This month, David P. Bernard, senior vice president of Houston Methodist, adds chief executive officer of Houston Methodist The Woodlands to his title. Debbie Sukin vacated his new position. She had been the executive vice president and CEO of HM The Woodlands Hospital since it was built but left to become president of Texas Children's.
City Lifestyle caught up with Bernard as he prepared to move from HM Baytown, where he has been since 2015. We wanted to determine what his new role would mean to both the hospital and the people here.
CL - The president and CEO of Houston Methodist, Marc L. Boom, says you are perfect for the HMTW CEO job. He said you shared your talents and passions to rally the hospital's employees and physicians around a shared mission. So, what passions do you plan to share upon your arrival at The Woodlands Houston Methodist?
Bernard - You could say my passion began nearly 24 years ago when I started my career at Houston Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center, and it has only grown over the years. I truly appreciate how our faith-based institution always leads with its values of integrity, compassion, accountability, respect, and excellence.
I bring a passion for excellence. Growing up, my family taught me that if you do something, make sure you do it right and put in the hard work to make it happen.
I bring a passion for our people and our culture. One of my favorite things about Houston Methodist is the people and how we all come together to make up our amazing values-driven culture. Being a leader at Houston Methodist is truly an honor, and I sincerely enjoy working alongside the most amazing team of physicians, staff, and volunteers each day.
I bring a passion for helping others. I have always believed that it only takes a moment to make a difference in someone's life and that you should always be grateful for the opportunity to help others. Whether it is a patient, colleague, or member of the community, we are given that opportunity each day at Houston Methodist, and it is such an honor.
CL - What are the greatest assets you bring to your new position that will help you achieve these passions?
Bernard - I joined Houston Methodist in 2000 and spent 15 years at Houston Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center, one of the nation's leading academic medical centers, and consistently ranked as a US News and Worlds Report's Honor Roll Hospital. During my time at the Texas Medical Center, I served in various finance and operational leadership roles and built world-class clinical, research, and education programs. I also had the opportunity to lead the DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center and the J.C. Walter Jr. Transplant Center into nationally recognized centers of excellence.
I spent the past eight and a half years at Houston Methodist Baytown, leading major capital expansion projects, building integrated care delivery networks, and improving the hospital's outcomes in safety, quality, and service. I'm extremely proud of the Baytown team for improving our Vizient ranking from #104 in 2017 to #2 the past two years in a row, only following Houston Methodist The Woodlands, which has been ranked #1 for three consecutive years. I look forward to working with my new team in The Woodlands and partnering with our colleagues from across the system to improve the care and services we provide to our community.
Another wonderful asset for my new role that I would be remiss if I didn't mention is my working relationship with Debbie Sukin, which has lasted for more than two decades. Debbie has been a mentor and role model for me since I joined Houston Methodist. We have worked closely to ensure a smooth transition from her time as CEO of Houston Methodist The Woodlands. I know Debbie is only a phone call away and is rooting for our continued success. We look forward to continuing our long-standing partnership with Texas Children's under Debbie's leadership.
CL -What do you want the residents of Montgomery County to know about you, and what does your arrival mean to them?
Bernard - I want our friends and neighbors in Montgomery County to know that Houston Methodist The Woodlands will always put the patient at the center of everything we do, and we will continue to expand our facilities and services to meet the growing needs of our community. We truly appreciate the support the community has shown the hospital since we opened our doors in 2017, and we look forward to strengthening our relationship and growing with the community to support the future success of The Woodlands and Montgomery County.
CL - What role(s) do you feel a hospital should fill in a community?
Bernard - I have always felt that hospitals, schools, churches, and other spiritual gathering places serve as foundational elements of any community. It is here where the community gathers to teach, learn, pray, and care for each other. While we provide physical, emotional, and spiritual care to support a productive and thriving community, we also serve as a part of the foundation of The Woodlands community, celebrating new life and providing hope and healing at the most challenging times. Our hospital is a special place, and we are proud to serve our community.
A preeminent hospital system like Houston Methodist can offer a fully integrated network of care and services to the community that is second to none. A true "one-stop shop" for all health needs. After opening our newest tower in 2022, Houston Methodist The Woodlands now offers 293 beds and provides access to the most innovative care and technology available. While we have seen rapid growth and development of our services in The Woodlands since our opening in 2017, we are distinguished by the amazing staff and physicians who provide personalized care and services to the members of our community each day.
As one of the major employers in our community, we also serve as a place for professional and personal growth for the members of our community. Houston Methodist is proud to be a Magnet-designated hospital and ranked #2 in the nation for Best Large Employers, according to Forbes. We are dedicated to our employees and excited to continue to contribute to The Woodland's economic vitality and growth in our community.
CL - Years from now, when you look back at your time here, how do you want that time to be described?
Bernard - I am so fortunate to succeed Debbie Sukin, who has built Houston Methodist The Woodlands into the preeminent health care provider in Montgomery County and the #1 complex care medical center in the nation. I hope to build upon this great tradition of excellence and relentlessly pursue every opportunity to improve the care and service we provide to our community.
When I look back on my time in The Woodlands, I hope to be proud of the people, partnerships, friendships, and amazing culture that make Houston Methodist The Woodlands the very best place in the country to receive care as a patient, work as an employee and practice medicine as a physician.
"I have always believed that it only takes a moment to make a difference in someone's life and that you should always be grateful for the opportunity to help others. Whether it is a patient, colleague, or member of the community," says David P. Bernard, the new CEO of HMTWL
