Memorial Hermann Hospitals Katy and Cypress locations will have a new senior vice president and chief operating officer come Sept. 13 according to a Memorial Hermann Press Release. Jerry Ashworth will step in to take the reins of the two hospitals as current CEO Heath Rushing moves on to a new position within the hospital system.

“Jerry has been an outstanding leader in our health system for a number of years, and I am pleased he has accepted the opportunity to further his career with Memorial Hermann,” said Memorial Hermann Presdident and CEO Dr. David L. Callender.

Ashworth is currently transitioning out of his position as senior vice president of TIRR Memorial Hermann and Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital – Katy. The press release said that under Ashworth’s leadership over the last six years, TIRR has grown admissions by 35% and reduced hospital stay lengths by 13%.

Rushing, who served in the position prior to Ashworth’s promotion, has been promoted to senior vice president of service lines for the Memorial Hermann Hospital System, the press release said.

Under Ashworth’s leadership, TIRR Memorial Hermann was ranked third among the nation’s top rehabilitation hospitals according to “U.S. News & World Report’s” best hospital rankings for 2020-21 – a distinction maintained since 2014.

Ashworth holds a bachelor’s degree from Le Teourneau University and an MBA from the University of Texas at Tyler along with a master’s degree in Health Care Administration from Trinity University.

“I am excited and honored about the opportunity to lead the Memorial Hermann Cypress and Katy. I am committed to working alongside our physician partners, leaders and employees to improve the health of our community by providing high quality and safe care,” Ashworth said.