Partnership with TCU Neeley Executive Education celebrates a decade of collaboration, growth and impact in healthcare leadership.
April 25, 2025
In 2015, Cook Children’s Health Care System launched an initiative to invest in leadership development across the organization. That effort became Advancing Healthcare Leadership, a program developed in partnership with TCU Neeley Executive Education. Now in its 10th year, the program continues to support leadership growth across the organization.
“The program is wonderful commitment to the continued development of an already exceptional leadership team. But it’s also about more than professional development,” said Jim Roach, executive director of TCU Neeley Executive Education. “It is designed to support healthcare leaders who are responsible for complex teams, improving processes, and delivering exceptional care to all of their patients. We have been honored to be part of that journey from the beginning.”
Over several months, participants step away from their day-to-day responsibilities once a month to gather on TCU’s campus. Topics include leadership, strategic planning, innovation, leading change, complexity in healthcare and cross-departmental collaboration.
Sessions are facilitated by TCU faculty and instructors, in partnership with Cook Children’s leaders, providing a blend of leading-edge insights, real-world experience, and practical applications that can contribute immediately back to each of the participants’ roles. Each cohort also completes a team project, applying their learning in ways that can directly support Cook Children’s promise.
“At Cook Children’s, we believe that developing strong leaders is essential to fulfilling our promise—to improve the well-being of every child in our care and our communities,” said Keith Holtz, Chief Administrative Officer for Cook Children’s Health Care System. “Over the past 10 years, this program has helped our leaders grow their skills, broaden their perspectives, and strengthen the way we work together across the organization. The results are evident not only in individual growth, but in the culture we continue to build. We’re proud of what this partnership with TCU Neeley Executive Education has made possible, and we’re grateful for the impact it continues to have.”
The 10th cohort of Advancing Healthcare Leadership 1.0 graduates April 25. This year’s graduation doubles as a 10-year anniversary event, bringing together alumni from all 10 cohorts to reflect on their shared experiences, the growth of the program, and the lasting impact this partnership has had on leadership and innovation at Cook Children’s.
"What inspires me most about this program is the commitment to lifelong learning and continuous improvement.” said Abbie Shipp, chair and professor of management and leadership for the Neeley School of Business. “Watching Cook Children’s healthcare leaders embrace growth is a powerful example of how investing in leadership strengthens not only the employees and culture of the organization, but also the broader community of stakeholders (patients, community members, etc.). And because such impact deepens and expands over time, it is exactly why partnerships like this matter."
As the partnership enters its second decade, both organizations continue to focus on developing leaders equipped to meet the demands of a complex healthcare environment.
About TCU Neeley Executive Education
Founded in 2014, TCU Neeley Executive Education provides innovative, practical programs for leaders at all career stages. Serving both local and global business communities, the program offers open enrollment and custom solutions tailored to organizational needs. With world-class faculty and industry experts, TCU Neeley Executive Education delivers real-world insights and strategies that executives can apply immediately to drive business success.
