Our Leadership Debra F. Sukin, MHA, PhD, FACHE

President

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As President of Texas Children’s, one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive pediatric and women’s health care organizations, Dr. Debra F. Sukin oversees all administrative and clinical areas of the Texas Children’s system including its three hospital locations — Texas Children’s Medical Center Campus, Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus and Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands. 

Shortly after assuming the role of President, Dr. Sukin will also oversee Texas Children’s newest pediatric and women’s hospital in North Austin — the first located outside the Houston area — when it opens in February 2024.

With more than 30 years of health care experience, Dr. Sukin looks forward to advancing health care through life-changing, high-quality treatments that will transform the trajectory for children and women who need Texas Children’s expertise. In her new role, she hopes to continue promoting the elevation and integration of translational research in the clinical care setting, and expanding access to care for all patients across the globe. 

Prior to joining Texas Children’s, Dr. Sukin served as Executive Vice President of Houston Methodist, where she was responsible for five suburban hospitals in addition to having system responsibility for the neuroscience service line and the Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center. She also served as CEO of Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital, and was involved in the planning and design of the Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital, which was deemed a “Smart Hospital of the Future,” integrating the latest in telehealth and technological innovations. 

A Houston native, Dr. Sukin is an active community advocate and public speaker. Dr. Sukin serves on the Texas Hospital Association (THA) Board, THA HOSPAC Board and the Angelman Syndrome Foundation’s Medical Advisory Board. She is a member of The Greater Houston Chapter of the Young Presidents’ Organization. Dr. Sukin has also received many honors and awards for her leadership and contributions to health care excellence including her recognition as an “Outstanding Business Leader in Healthcare” for Women Who Mean Business and “Business Woman of the Year” in 2017 by Houston Business Journal. Most recently, Dr. Sukin was named the 2023 “Healthcare Leader of the Year” by the Greater Houston Women's Chamber of Commerce. 

Dr. Sukin earned a PhD in Health Policy and Health Management from The University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. She received her Master of Healthcare Administration degree from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. She is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.

She resides in The Woodlands, Texas with her husband, Steven Sukin, MD, and their two sons, Jacob and Eli.