One area of special focus is the Houston Methodist–Rice University Digital Health Institute, which is blazing a new trail in medicine. Advances in healthcare have taken an exponential trajectory over the past decade or so, and we are poised to continue leading initiatives in artificial intelligence, data science and systems engineering. Through our translational approach, innovations developed today can move from discovery to patient care within a matter of years, not decades.

We’re honored that U.S. News & World Report has named Houston Methodist Hospital the best hospital in Texas for the 15th consecutive year and again ranked us among the top 20 hospitals in the country. We’re also proud that five of our network hospitals — our campuses located in Sugar Land (tied for No. 3), The Woodlands (No. 7), the Willowbrook area (No. 9), Baytown (No. 14) and Clear Lake (tied for No. 21) — were recognized among the best in the Lone Star State. I’ve long said that we don’t chase awards, but when we put our patients at the center of everything we do, the awards will follow.

This magazine is called Leading because that’s what we aim to do every day. Thank you for helping us stay at the head of the pack.