UTT

Jerry Ashworth wasn’t always interested in a career in the health care industry, but now after 25 years in health care administration, the senior vice president and chief executive officer of TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital can’t imagine doing anything else.

Ashworth will share his success story on Thursday, Sept. 6 as one of 200 speakers featured at The University of Texas at Tyler Career Success Conference.

Student success is a pillar of UT Tyler’s new strategic plan, and the conference is a part of the university’s student success initiatives.

Other speakers include John Soules, founder of John Soules Foods Inc.; Dr. Debra Herd, director of talent management and learning, Comerica Bank; and Jonathan Jones, owner, Jonathan Jones Speaks.

The conference is designed to provide a forum for students to learn success strategies from top leaders across the nation.

Ashworth, who holds a Master of Business Administration from UT Tyler, spent the majority of his career in the Tyler area, working his way up into a number of leadership roles for Christus Trinity Mother Frances Health System.

“UT Tyler is a big part of my educational journey, and I am honored to be included in this conference and excited to share a bit of my journey with students in hopes that it inspires them in their careers,” he said.

Almost four years ago, Ashworth left his comfort zone of Christus Trinity Mother Frances and Tyler and embarked on a new path in the health care industry — a leadership position at one of the best rehabilitation hospitals in the nation.

While Ashworth admitted he was nervous to leave an environment in which he was very comfortable and move to a new place and a new area of the health care industry, he says it has been the best career decision he’s ever made.

“I think a valuable lesson is that you need to be willing to take a chance, explore new opportunities and not be afraid of failing if you want to be successful,” he said.

“Growing up in Whitehouse, it never crossed my mind that I would be in the role that I am today. I never even thought about it when I started my career in health care. I want to continue to help TIRR grow and evolve the industry. So, in my mind, I still have a long way to go and a lot of work to do before I achieve my definition of success.”

For more information about the Career Success Conference, contact careersuccess@uttyler.edu or visit uttyler.edu/conference18.