Harris Health System Leadership

Ann Barnes is an Associate Professor at Baylor College of Medicine and Chief Medical Executive at Harris Health System and is based in Houston, Texas. She has worked as Medical Director of Weight Management Services and Disease Prevention at Harris Health System, Chief Medical Officer at Legacy Community Health, and Internal Medicine/Primary Care Resident at Brigham and Women s Hospital. Ann attended Harvard Medical School between 1991 and 1996, Yale University between 1987 and 1991, and The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) between 2002 and 2009.

Healthcare professional with experiences in Hospital Operations, Clinical Support , Finance and Administration. Passionate leader who has innovated practices to meet expectations of organizations. Dedicated individual who has driven success by collaborating and ensuring everyone's voice is heard. A healthcare professional who educates by setting an example and establishes a metrics based approach on decision making , efficiency and best practice clinical outcomes.

Bill Bowker is an IT Manager (Direct report to VP and dotted line projects to CIO) at Harris Health System and is based in Houston Texas Area. He has worked as Computer Consultant at The System, Technical Recruiter at ProFound Staffing Inc., and IT Infrastructure Consultant at Paranet Solutions.

Interim Chief of Pathology at Ben Taub Hospital, Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine, Medical Director of COVID Laboratory at Baylor Genetics

C. Walker are an Operations Manager, Supply Chain / Logistics Chief at Harris Health System and are based in Houston, Texas. They have worked as Lead Contracts/ Accountant III /Business Process Analysis at Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT); Manager, Accounting Dept. /Pension Administrator at MEI Engineering and Quality Services; and Supply Chain Senior Manager at Harris Health System. C. attended University of Houston, San Jacinto College, and Texas Woman s University.

David serves as the CIO for a public academic health system. Chou has held executive roles with the Cleveland Clinic, Children's Mercy Hospital, University Of Mississippi Medical Center, AHMC Healthcare, and Prime Healthcare. David is a dynamic keynote speaker and industry commentator working with clients to transform their business models using technology. He has spoken around the world at healthcare tech-related conference including keynotes for leading industry events and intimate executive settings. Chou is also one of the most mentioned CIOs in the media and well quoted in outlets such as the Wall Street Journal, Modern Healthcare, HIMSS Media, ZDNet, CIO.com, Huffington Post, and Becker's Healthcare. David is an active member of both ACHE and HIMSS while serving on the board for CHIME.

Dr. Higgins received his medical degree from the University of Queensland, Australia. He holds a Masters in Epidemiology from the University of Cambridge, and completed a Healthcare M.B.A. at The George Washington University, graduating with Honors: Inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, The International Honor Society, recognizing business excellence.

He completed an Internal Medicine Residency (University of Missouri-Columbia, MO), a Cardiology Fellowship (Brigham and Women's Hospital-Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA), and a Co-investigator in the Clinical Trials Center. For 3 years, he was a Clinical Associate Professor of Internal Medicine (University of Oklahoma) and a practicing cardiologist. Dr. Higgins was at the VA West Roxbury as an Attending Cardiologist for 3 years where he was Director-Cardiac Stress Laboratory (Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School). He currently sees patients at LBJ General Hospital.

He was President of Boston Toastmasters and he enjoys public speaking. He loves to teach and has received the prestigious Dean’s Teaching Excellence Award at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston five years in a row (2008-2013).

His book 'Cardiology Clinical Questions' was written to assist Cardiology Fellows with difficult diagnostic questions (Chinese translation available).

His clinical interests include exercise physiology, sports medicine, & non-invasive cardiology. Current research include: SHADE-ONE (Study of Heart effects from Adults Drinking Energy beverages ON Endothelial function) & HEARTS (Houston Early Age Risk Testing & Screening study) www.gohearts.org.

He is the author of 35 manuscripts,50 web based publications, 3 YouTube, 11 abstracts, and 13 review articles. He has appeared 200+ times on local TV & radio and also CNN & ABC World News.

Dr Higgins loves to exercise. He has completed 11 marathons. His favorite quote is:

“To give anything less that your best is to sacrifice the gift.” Steve Prefontaine

Karen Eldin is a Professor and Vice Chair at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) and Chief of Pathology at Harris Health System and is based in Houston, Texas. She has worked as Pathologist at Baylor College of Medicine and Chief, Anatomic Pathology Division at TEXAS CHILDREN S HOSPITAL. Karen attended Baylor College of Medicine between 1997 and 2001, Baylor College of Medicine between 2009 and 2010, and Baylor College of Medicine between 2004 and 2006.

Kelli Fondren is a VP, Chief Developement Officer at Harris Health System. She studied at Texas A&M University.