Dear Friends,

At Baylor Health Care System, our commitment to serving this community has never been stronger. Our mission - "to serve all people through exemplary health care, education, research and community service" - is as important today as it was when Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas opened its doors 103 years ago.

But new realities in the health care market challenge our commitment at every turn.

From vital services such as our Level I trauma center to programs that bring health care to the under-served and uninsured, Baylor is and has always been motivated by more than the bottom line.

As one of North Texas' largest employers, with 16,000 employees, Baylor is a major benefit to the regional economy. At the same time, Baylor furthers the humanitarian goal of health care access for all. And we provide that care with innovation and evidence-based practices targeted to improve patient care. The public consistently ranks Baylor above all its competitors in quality of care and other key measures, including best doctors and best nurses.

The foundation of Baylor's community service is its strong medical education and research programs. Every day, Baylor provides for the future health needs of our community by training physicians, nurses and other clinicians. And at Baylor Research Institute, patient-centered research is underway through hundreds of basic science and clinical trials.

Our leadership is committed to serving this community. Each of our board members generously gives his or her unique talents and valuable time to further the healing ministry that carried Baylor through its first century. How those leaders will steer Baylor through the second century is this report's focus. I invite you to read it. You will see that the time has never been more challenging - or more important - for Baylor's mission.

Sincerely,






Joel T. Allison
President and Chief Executive Officer
Baylor Health Care System