Parkland Health has secured the top position in Texas for community benefit on the 2026 Lown Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility. The safety-net system placed second overall among more than 2,600 hospitals nationwide. The index evaluates institutions based on their financial assistance, Medicaid support, and community health initiatives. In 2025, the system provided $1.4 billion in uncompensated care to a large Medicaid population. Fred Cerise, president and CEO of Parkland Health, stated that the recognition reflects the organization’s commitment to serving all patients regardless of their ability to pay. He described community benefit as the foundation of the system rather than a specific program.
In a separate development, Inwood Village Pediatrics has become an affiliate of the Children’s Health pediatric primary care network. The Dallas-based practice has served the community since 2007 with a team of six physicians and two advanced practice providers. Dai Chung, chief medical officer for the Joint Pediatric Enterprise of Children’s Health and UT Southwestern, noted that the affiliation helps meet the needs of a growing pediatric population in North Texas. The move is intended to expand access to high-quality primary care for local families.
Susan G. Komen has awarded $15.4 million to breast cancer researchers to accelerate breakthroughs in care. Recipients include Anli Zhang of UT Southwestern, Benjamin Schrank of UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Amelie Ramirez of UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. The grants aim to support further research into breast cancer treatment and prevention.
Joseph Hill, a professor of internal medicine and molecular biology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, received the American Heart Association’s Gold Heart Award. Hill also serves as director of the Harry S. Moss Heart Center and was the editor-in-chief of the AHA’s medical journal, Circulation, for the past decade. James de Lemos, a professor at UT Southwestern, praised Hill’s work in building a global editorial team and fostering a collaborative vision for cardiovascular science.
Nominations are currently open for the 2026 Excellence in Healthcare Awards presented by D CEO. The awards recognize outstanding individuals and organizations in the healthcare sector. Further details regarding specific nominees or additional award categories were not provided in the source material.