Leadership

Chief Executive Officer

Elias M. Armendariz, FACHE, joined HCA Houston Healthcare Pearland as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in December 2024.

He has more than 30 years of healthcare experience and most recently served as the chief operating officer (COO) and ethics and compliance officer at HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake. During his more than four years at HCA Houston Clear Lake, Armendariz made an undeniable impact by assembling one of the strongest operations leadership teams in the hospital’s history. Because of his efforts, HCA Houston Clear Lake has seen incredible growth in the cardiac, neuroscience and trauma services. Under his leadership, the hospital received approval for the master campus expansion plan in excess of $100 million in capital improvements.

Before joining HCA Houston Healthcare, Armendariz was a member of the senior leadership teams at Methodist Hospital Northeast and Methodist Children’s Hospital in San Antonio, which are part of the HCA San Antonio Division. He also previously served as Chief Nursing Officer, COO and Vice President of Operations at El Paso Children’s Hospital, and Director of cardiovascular and critical care services at University Medical Center of El Paso.

Armendariz received his bachelor’s degree in nursing from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and a master’s in nursing systems management from The University of Texas at El Paso. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives® (FACHE), which recognizes his expertise and leadership in the healthcare field.

Chief nursing officer

Jeanette Pennick was appointed chief nursing officer (CNO) at HCA Houston Healthcare Pearland in January 2022. In this role, she oversees patient care, quality, clinical initiatives, and nursing operations.

Serving as a nurse and leader over critical care and emergency services for two decades before moving into executive leadership, Pennick is experienced in organizational development, change management, Six Sigma, and lean process development. She has developed strong clinical teams, has been a supportive mentor, and most importantly, a transformational servant leader.

Pennick began her nursing career in Canada where she was born and raised. She earned her bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Alberta and her master of nursing administration from the University of Texas at Arlington. She holds multiple clinical certifications in addition to certification as an advanced nurse executive (NEA-BC). She was instrumental in the hospital achieving its Level IV trauma designation, primary stroke and chest pain center accreditation.