FWC to Present Award at Annual ‘State of the County’ Event
FORT WORTH, Texas – The Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce (FWC) has named Texas Health Resources as the 2025 recipient of its prestigious Vandergriff Award. The award will be presented as part of FWC’s annual “State of the County” luncheon on Thursday, Aug. 21, at the Hilton Fort Worth.
Established in 2011 in memory of Tarrant County Judge Tom Vandergriff, the award is presented annually to a legacy individual or organization whose contributions positively impact Tarrant County on a national scale. Recipients are nominated by FWC board directors and selected by executive board officers.
Texas Health Resources now joins a distinguished group of past honorees, including last year’s recipient, Standard Meat Company, as well as Trail Drive Management Corporation, American Airlines, Texas Rangers, General Motors and Van Cliburn, among others. A full list of award winners is available at fortworthchamber.com/vandergriff-award/.
“Texas Health Resources makes a difference in North Texas every single day,” said FWC President and CEO Steve Montgomery. “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.”
As one of the largest faith-based, nonprofit health systems in the U.S., Texas Health Resources serves nearly 2 million North Texans annually and employs 13,000 healthcare professionals in Tarrant County alone. Known for delivering nationally recognized clinical care and fostering an award-winning workplace culture, Texas Health exemplifies leadership and innovation in healthcare. Under CEO Barclay Berdan’s guidance, the organization has earned numerous honors for patient safety, quality outcomes, and organizational excellence.
“Community is integral in everything we do at Texas Health, and we are honored to be the recipient of the 2025 Vandergriff Award,” said Barclay Berdan, FACHE, CEO of Texas Health. “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.”
As sponsor of this year’s Vandergriff Award, BNSF Railway will join the Fort Worth Chamber in presenting the honor to Texas Health Resources. “BNSF is proud to support an award that recognizes those who reflect the values of integrity, collaboration, and community while representing Tarrant County on a national stage,” said BNSF President and CEO Katie Farmer.
To highlight the enduring contributions of the award’s namesake — and the legacy, integrity, and spirit of service that defined Judge Vandergriff’s leadership in Tarrant County — the Chamber will premiere a tribute video at the “State of the County” luncheon.
The video will revisit some of Vandergriff’s most notable achievements, including bringing the Texas Rangers and a major-league stadium to Arlington, attracting a General Motors plant to the heart of the metroplex, championing the development of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, and advancing Arlington State College’s transition into the four-year accredited University of Texas at Arlington.
2025 “STATE OF THE COUNTY” ADDRESS
Shifting from past Tarrant County leadership to today’s, the event will feature County Judge Tim O'Hare delivering his “State of the County” address, joined by a panel of countywide elected officials who will share their insights on the challenges and opportunities shaping the area.
With O’Hare leading the conversation, the panel will include Sheriff Bill Waybourn, County Clerk Mary Louise Nicholson and District Attorney Phil Sorrells. Together, they will discuss topics critical to the county’s future.
“Fort Worth and Tarrant County are growing — fast — and our future is being shaped right now,” said Montgomery. “This event gives business and community leaders the opportunity to hear directly from those guiding our county’s progress. We’re honored to host Judge O’Hare and other county officials as they share insight into the priorities and decisions that continue to make Tarrant one of the most dynamic counties in Texas.”
The event is presented by Baird, Hampton & Brown, whose CEO Trace Strevey stressed the value of collaboration in driving the county’s continued growth. “This is where business and community leadership converge and where important conversations about our county’s future take place,” said Strevey. “Baird, Hampton & Brown is proud to support the Fort Worth Chamber and the leaders working to build a stronger Tarrant County.”
The 2025 “State of the County” luncheon will be held from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., with check-in and networking beginning at 11 a.m. For details, or to register, visit State of the County 2025 at fortworthchamber.com.
ABOUT TEXAS HEALTH RESOURCES
Texas Health Resources is a faith-based, nonprofit health system that cares for more patients in North Texas than any other provider. With a service area that consists of 16 counties and more than 7 million people, the system is committed to providing quality, coordinated care through its Texas Health Physicians Group and 29 hospital locations under the banners of Texas Health Presbyterian, Texas Health Arlington Memorial, Texas Health Harris Methodist and Texas Health Huguley. Texas Health access points and services, ranging from acute-care hospitals and trauma centers to outpatient facilities and home health and preventive services, provide the full continuum of care for all stages of life. The system has more than 4,100 licensed hospital beds, 6,400 physicians with active staff privileges and nearly 29,000 employees. For more information about Texas Health, call 1-877-THR-WELL, or visit www.TexasHealth.org.
ABOUT THE FORT WORTH CHAMBER
The Fort Worth Chamber, with more than 1,300 member businesses, serves as the leading voice of the business community in the fastest growing city in the nation. Through its core functions of leadership, engagement, and advocacy, the Chamber’s mission is to bring the Fort Worth region together to identify issues, solve problems and align resources resulting in a stronger business climate and greater economic prosperity for all.
For more information, visit fortworthchamber.com.
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