Via Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce website
The Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce has selected Texas Health Resources as the 2025 recipient of its prestigious Vandergriff Award, which will be presented during the Chamber’s annual “State of the County” luncheon on Aug. 21 at the Hilton Fort Worth.
Established in 2011 to honor the late Tarrant County Judge Tom Vandergriff, the award recognizes a legacy individual or organization whose contributions have positively impacted Tarrant County on a national scale. Nominees are recommended by FWC board directors and chosen by executive board officers.
Texas Health joins a distinguished list of past honorees, including Standard Meat Company, Trail Drive Management Corporation, American Airlines, Texas Rangers, General Motors, and Van Cliburn. The full list is here.
“Texas Health Resources makes a difference in North Texas every single day,” said FWC President and CEO Steve Montgomery in a statement. “Their leadership, commitment to innovation and genuine care for their team and our community embody the values Judge Vandergriff stood for and the legacy he built. We’re proud to recognize an organization that continues to elevate our region through their exceptional work.”
One of the largest faith-based, nonprofit health systems in the U.S., Texas Health serves nearly 2 million North Texans annually and employs 13,000 healthcare professionals in Tarrant County. Under the leadership of CEO Barclay Berdan, the organization has earned national recognition for patient safety, quality outcomes, and workplace culture.
“Community is integral in everything we do at Texas Health, and we are honored to be the recipient of the 2025 Vandergriff Award,” Berdan said. “We are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the communities we are privileged to serve, both inside and outside of our hospital walls, which includes strategic investments and community partnerships from mobile health clinics to programs addressing healthy food access and nutrition security.”
BNSF Railway is sponsoring this year’s Vandergriff Award and will join the Chamber in presenting the honor.
The luncheon will also feature a tribute video to Judge Vandergriff, revisiting highlights from his career, including bringing the Texas Rangers to Tarrant County and securing a General Motors plant for the region, championing Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, and guiding Arlington State College’s transition to the University of Texas at Arlington.
In addition, Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare will deliver his “State of the County” address, joined by Sheriff Bill Waybourn, County Clerk Mary Louise Nicholson, and District Attorney Phil Sorrells for a panel discussion on challenges and opportunities shaping the county.
The 2025 “State of the County” luncheon will run from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., with check-in and networking beginning at 11 a.m. Registration details are available at fortworthchamber.com.