By day, LH’s Joel Allison is CEO of Baylor Health Care System, a $3.8 billion operation serving 1.4 million patients each year. Evenings and weekends here in Lake Highlands, he’s friendly neighbor and husband of Diane, often hosting daughter Celeste and her buddies on weekend breaks from their studies at Baylor University. But this week is special. Today, Joel will receive the Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award, presented by Bank of Texas and Texas Women’s University.
“I think the world of Virginia,” Joel said of the woman who has made a lifetime commitment to providing outstanding healthcare, community service and education. “I am most humbled and honored to receive this prestigious award.” Previous recipients include Caroline Rose Hunt, T. Boone Pickens, Gretchen Minyard & J.L. “Sonny” Williams and Geraldine “Tincy” Miller, some of Dallas’ most respected and admired names.
Back in Lake Highlands, Joel enjoys settling in after a long day at the hospital. “I love the sense of neighborhood here and the way the people support each other,” he told me. “The schools are great and that’s because the parents are so active in their kids’ lives and so supportive of the teachers and principals.”
“Many of our physicians, board members and civic leaders call Lake Highlands home and I’m blessed to know quite a few of them.” When asked to name his biggest supporter, Joel answered easily – his wife, Diane. Joel also had a quick answer when I asked about his favorite LH celebrity. “Oh, Carol,” he joked. “I thought everyone in LH was a celebrity.”