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Skip Navigation LinksHarris Health About Us News Harris Health System CEO George V. Masi to Retire in 2020

Harris Health System CEO George V. Masi to Retire in 2020

Harris Health System’s CEO George V. Masi to retire effective May 1, 2020.

“We have known for some time that it was George Masi's intention to retire next year, and we are incredibly grateful that he has committed to continuing to lead us these next 11 months. This will ensure stability of the system and a smooth transition for the next CEO,” says Harris Health System Board Chair Anne Clutterbuck. “Over the past five years as our CEO, George has done a tremendous job guiding Harris Health during some of the most turbulent and uncertain times in healthcare. He has been a leader in restoring public trust in our safety net system and has reaffirmed our commitment to top quality healthcare for all of Harris County.”

“I have been fortunate to serve Harris Health System and its board of trustees for more than 18 years. I am inspired every day by their unwavering dedication to serving the most vulnerable patients in our community,” says George Masi.

Harris Health’s Board of Trustees selected executive search firm B.E. Smith to initiate a national search for Masi’s successor. The Board will consider both internal and external candidates and hopes to name a replacement in early 2020.

Harris Health is a community-focused academic healthcare system dedicated to improving the health of those most in need in Harris County through quality care delivery, coordination of care and education. Harris Health’s 48 clinic and hospital locations, including renowned trauma centers Ben Taub and Lyndon B. Johnson Hospitals are staffed by nationally recognized physician faculty and residents from its medical school partners: Baylor College of Medicine; McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth); and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Masi first joined Harris Health March 5, 2001, serving as administrator for Harris Health Ben Taub Hospital, the system’s Level I Trauma Center. During his tenure as CEO, Masi steered Harris Health toward financial stability under the Affordable Care Act’s implementation, oversaw the organization’s response following Hurricane Harvey, and successfully undertook a major capital investment of its Level I Trauma Center by expanding operating room capacity. Most recently, Masi announced a new health system strategy focused on population health and addressing social factors that impact health outcomes. Before his assignment as the health system CEO, Masi served for eight years as Harris Health’s chief operating officer. He was elevated to president and CEO of Harris Health in July 2014.

Before joining Harris Health, Masi served the Army Medical Department for 27 years as a career officer, rising to the rank of colonel. His final military assignment was commanding officer for Winn Army Hospital at Fort Stewart, Georgia. From 1998 to 2001, he served as the Army Surgeon General’s consultant for health care administration.

Masi holds graduate degrees from the University of Buffalo, Long Island University and the National Defense University in Washington, D.C. He is also a Certified Healthcare Executive and a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Masi will continue to serve as president and CEO until May 2020, and will work closely with the executive team and Board to ensure a seamless transition.

“It has been my honor to serve an organization with a 53-year history of placing the health and well-being of Harris County’s most vulnerable patients at the core of its mission,” Masi says. “Not only has Harris Health achieved a reputation for efficient, high-quality care, but we have demonstrated time and again to our friends, family members and neighbors across Harris County that we are dedicated to being there for them when they need us most. Our commitment to this community will never change, and I’m humbled to have been a part of that mission.”