August 9, 2017
(Austin) – Central Health announced Larry Wallace, executive vice president and chief operating officer, has moved into a new role as Central Health enterprise chief administrative officer (CAO), effective Monday, Aug. 7, 2017.
In his new role, Wallace will focus on operations and strategic alignment among the Central Health Enterprise affiliates and partners, which include:
- The Community Care Collaborative, Central Health’s partnership with Seton;
- Sendero Health Plans, Central Health’s nonprofit community health plan; and
- CommUnityCare Health Centers, which operate 19 clinics in Travis County.
Wallace previously served as interim president and chief executive officer following the retirement of Patricia Young Brown on Dec. 31, 2016. Brown was the only president and chief executive officer (CEO) in Central Health’s 13-year history prior to the Central Health Board of Managers hiring of Mike Geeslin for the same role in April.
The Central Health enterprise chief administrative officer is a newly created position. Wallace will provide leadership and direction to improve health outcomes for people who are low-income and uninsured through development of culturally appropriate health care initiatives and service delivery strategies—in collaboration with Central Health’s affiliates and many partners. This new role allows President and CEO Mike Geeslin to focus on critical external communications and community engagement strategies.
“Larry understands the future of health care in Travis County and is connected with the community,“ said Geeslin. “This change reflects Central Health’s strength and growing presence as an enterprise, one that is aligned with its partners and executes well-coordinated strategies to improve health care in Travis County. Larry is uniquely qualified for this new role, and he’s a leader in the field of building health care services on a large scale.”
For the past two years, Wallace has spearheaded efforts with multiple partners to develop both short and long-term solutions to bring much-needed health services to the underserved areas of East Travis County.
“In this new role, my primary focus is to continue developing strategies that assure all Central Health resources are actively engaged to address health care needs of communities that have historically been underserved, which includes eastern Travis County,” said Wallace.
“This opportunity enables me to use my relevant knowledge and experience to make significant contributions in health care delivery to the community. Our work to increase access to quality health care and related services in eastern Travis County is an example of what can be accomplished when we collaborate with our many partners to identify gaps and develop innovative solutions.”
About Wallace
Wallace is a recognized health care leader with more than 30 years’ experience in developing and leading integrated health care operations. Since joining Central Health in 2005, Larry has overseen multiple operational functions including Finance, Human Resources, Health Information Technology, Eligibility Services, and Facilities. He’s also spearheaded important collaborations with community partners, local safety net providers, community leaders, and constituents to improve access to health care for low-income Travis County residents. Wallace also serves on the boards of Sendero Health Plans and Downtown Austin Alliance. He also serves as Board Chair for the Community Care Collaborative.
Wallace holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Dallas Baptist University and an MBA from Amberton University in Dallas. While serving in the United States Army, Larry graduated from the U.S. Academy of Health Sciences and received certifications as an Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist. Larry is also a member of the National Association of Health Services Executives, Medical Group Management Association and the American College of Health Care Executives.
Central Health is here to make our community stronger by investing in access to health care for our most vulnerable residents. We are the local public entity that connects low-income Travis County residents to high quality, cost effective health care. We work with a network of partners to eliminate health disparities to reach our vision of Travis County becoming a model healthy community.