For nearly eleven years, Jerry Ashworth has called Houston home, a move prompted by his leadership role with Memorial Hermann. As the CEO of both Memorial Hermann Cypress and Memorial Hermann Katy, he balances his time between the two hospitals, switching campuses midday in a seamless routine that allows him to stay deeply engaged with both teams and communities.
Sitting at his desk, Ashworth gestures to a beige display—a model of what the Memorial Hermann Katy expansion will look like. The display is a symbol of the rapid growth in the area, a challenge he embraces with determination and vision.
Ashworth’s path to becoming a CEO was anything but conventional. Growing up in modest circumstances, college was not an expectation, and if he wanted to attend, he had to find a way to fund it himself. Unsure of his future, he moved to Colorado in search of direction. Years later, he returned to Texas, where a childhood friend suggested a job at the local hospital. At first, he scoffed at the idea, believing hospitals were only for doctors and nurses. But after weeks of job searching with no luck, he reconsidered.
That decision changed the course of his life. Ashworth began his healthcare career in patient access in the emergency department on the night shift. The experience ignited a passion for healthcare leadership, and he committed to advancing his career. He pursued his education and rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a director. With each new responsibility, his ambition grew. When an opportunity arose at TIRR Memorial Hermann, he eagerly embraced it, thriving as its CEO However, when the chance to lead Memorial Hermann Cypress and Katy emerged, he knew it was a special opportunity he couldn’t pass up.
Among his proudest moments, Ashworth recalls the Magnet Designation surveys for both campuses. The designation, awarded to less than ten percent of hospitals nationwide, is a testament to the hospital’s culture and commitment to excellence. Katy received Magnet Designation in 2023, and Cypress followed suit, receiving Magnet with Distinction in August 2024, the first in Texas to receive the honor.
Challenges, however, are ever-present. The explosive population growth in Cypress and Katy has put immense pressure on healthcare facilities. “We just cannot build fast enough,” Ashworth admits. Additionally, the industry-wide shortage of nurses and physicians makes staffing a persistent concern. To address this, Memorial Hermann partners with local school districts, including Katy ISD, Waller ISD, and Cy-Fair ISD, to spark student interest in healthcare careers and create a future pipeline of professionals.
In times of crisis, Ashworth has witnessed the true resilience of his team. During the Texas freeze of 2021—dubbed “Snowmageddon”—staff members packed suitcases, brought cots, and stayed overnight to ensure uninterrupted patient care. The emergency department saw an overwhelming influx of patients, from car accident victims to individuals on oxygen who lost power. Despite the chaos, his team never wavered. Their response to that disaster prepared them for the subsequent wave of COVID-19.
“The Delta strain, in comparison, did not seem like that big of a deal,” Ashworth reflects, emphasizing the strength and adaptability of his staff.
One of the most underappreciated aspects of hospital operations, Ashworth notes, is that they never close. Holidays, hurricanes, and disasters—hospitals remain open, staffed by dedicated professionals who sacrifice personal time to serve the community. He makes it a priority to personally thank staff working during Thanksgiving and Christmas, ensuring they feel valued and supported.
Fostering a positive work culture is paramount. Ashworth and his leadership team maintain an open-door policy, ensuring staff feel heard and supported. They organize appreciation events, from providing meals to gifting practical items like raincoats. “Sometimes, they tell us we are feeding them too much,” he chuckles.
“The work we do is bigger than any one person. You are never in it alone.”
While Ashworth admits that work-life balance is a challenge, he prioritizes exercise and enjoys weekend getaways to recharge. His family understands the demands of healthcare, and his children have even accompanied him on holiday hospital rounds. He makes sure to be present for their most important moments, even if he can’t attend every event.
Ashworth is deeply invested in the future of healthcare and community partnerships. With Katy ISD, Memorial Hermann supports school nurses through ongoing education and clinical competency checkoffs. The hospital also offers special health screening events for district employees and sponsors various initiatives to enhance community well-being.
If he could change one thing about healthcare, he would make insurance less complicated. “It would help us get patients to the right level of care more efficiently,” he says. His ultimate goal is to improve access, ensuring that patients receive the care they need when they need it.
As Memorial Hermann Cypress and Katy continue to expand, Ashworth’s leadership ensures that the hospitals not only keep up with growth but set new standards for excellence. Driven by his passion for healthcare and commitment to his team, he remains focused on serving the communities that have become his home.
