A brighter future ahead?

Parkland Hospital down to 4 finalists for pivotal new CEO

Parkland Health & Hospital System is in the midst of a building campaign.
Photo by Conner Howell
Parkland Hospital's emergency room has been under intense scrutiny for patientsafety related issues.
Photo by Conner Howell
Dr. Larry Gentilello filed a slew of lawsuits against UT Southwestern andParkland Memorial Hospital in 2007. A billing fraud lawsuit was settled in 2011and a state whistleblower case is still pending.
Photo by Marissa Rocke Photography

Parkland Health & Hospital System revealed its four remaining candidates for CEO. Parkland board chair Debbie Branson said the list has been culled down from a field of 20.

The candidates are Pete Delgado, CEO of Los Angeles County+University of Southern California Healthcare Network; Wright L. Lassiter III, CEO of Alameda County Medical Center; Walter "Ted" Shaw, interim executive vice president and CFO of Parkland Health & Hospital System; and Larry E. Volkmar, CEO of Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

Former CEO Ron Anderson, who was at the hospital's helm for 30 years, was ousted by the board in August 2011.

Former CEO Ron Anderson, who was at the hospital's helm for 30 years, was ousted by the board in August 2011. The first interim CEO, Thomas Royer, held the reigns from December 2011 to September 2012, when Robert Smith signed a four-month contract with the beleaguered medical center. Under the terms of his contract, Smith is being paid $60,000 a month and is not in the running for the position.

This is a critical appointment because Parkland is in the midst of a stringent improvement agreement with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. If it fails to meet standards, the hospital could lose significant funding in April 2013 and be forced to shut down.

Parkland is the teaching hospital for University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. It has been found negligent in a variety of areas, including patient care and resident supervision.

Dr. Larry Gentilello filed whistleblower and billing fraud lawsuits related to lax resident supervision in the emergency room. Gentilello's billing fraud lawsuit, which the federal government joined, was settled for $1.4 million in 2011. His state whistleblower suit is still pending.

In August, Parkland reached an unprecedented $1 million settlement with the Department of State Health Services for patient safety claims. The largest hospital fine previously levied by the entity was $50,000.

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Editor's note: The top Dallas news of the week includes reports on where millennials are moving and how much it takes to be a middle class earner in DFW. Plus, Taylor Sheridan spins off a new show set in a buzzy Dallas suburb. Catch up on our most popular stories below, then visit our guide to the best weekend events.

1. Dallas neighbor surprises as a booming millennial hotspot in 2026. A surprising Dallas neighbor ranks as the No. 21 most popular U.S. city for millennials right now.

2. This is the income it takes to be middle class in Dallas-Fort Worth in 2026. A new study tracking the thresholds for middle class households has revealed Dallasites have to make at least a few grand more than last year to maintain their middle class status.

3. H-E-B to open 2 new stores in Garland, including Joe V's Smart Shop. Texas grocery chain H-E-B is expanding into the Dallas suburb of Garland, with not one but two stores in the works.

4. New I-35 deck park in southern Dallas moves closer to spring 2026 debut. A massive deck park spanning Interstate 35E in southern Dallas is set to open in late spring 2026. Called Halperin Park, the five-acre community space has been under construction since 2017 and will be completed in two phases.

Renderings for Halperin Park. Courtesy rendering

5. Taylor Sheridan sets new 'Frisco King' series in buzzy Dallas suburb. A forthcoming spinoff of the Paramount+ series Tulsa King is relocating from the Big Easy to the Dallas suburbs, with a new name to boot. Frisco King — will take place primarily in Frisco, Texas.