Mr. Ellis led the health system for nearly 33 years, retiring in February 2018, just before the organization was acquired by Nashville, Tenn.-based Ardent Health Services and Austin-based University of Texas System. The organization is now called UT Health East Texas.
Mr. Ellis joined the East Texas Medical Cemter health system in 1968 as an assistant hospital administrator. The organization grew into a multihospital health network under his leadership. He also led the development of East Texas Medical Center EMS, a nonprofit ambulance service.
He was a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and former chairman of the Texas Hospital Association. He won the Texas Hospital Association’s Earl M. Collier Award for Distinguished Healthcare Administration in 2006.
Mr. Ellis is survived by his wife, son, daughter, three stepchildren and six grandchildren. His funeral is July 30 at Green Acres Baptist Church Chapel in Tyler.
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