gaston_george_63003

Posted: 6/27/03

Baptist Health taps Gaston as v.p.

SAN ANTONIO–Baptist Health System has named George Gaston III as its vice president for ministry to oversee the spiritual direction of the system and its five San Antonio hospitals.

The new position was created by Vanguard Health Systems after acquiring the hospitals earlier this year. The system had been an institution of the Baptist General Convention of Texas before being sold to the for-profit corporation.

Gaston currently is pastor of First Baptist Church of Corpus Christi. He previously served as assistant vice president for spiritual development and community outreach at Memorial Hermann Healthcare System in Houston.

At the Houston system, he supervised 15 chaplains and a Clinical Pastoral Education program. His major accomplishment there was to establish a comprehensive program for spiritual wellness.

From 1979 to 1983, Gaston served as assistant professor in pastoral ministry at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

“In his new position, Dr. Gaston will take the lead in assuring that the faith-based nature of our system remains a vital part of the Baptist Health System mission,” said Baptist Health System President Kent Wallace. “He will support the pastoral care team of chaplains and oversee the continued development of Clinical Pastoral Education. He will serve as the chief liaison between BHS and the faith community, and in particular, with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. In addition, Dr. Gaston will provide pastoral support to the BHS leadership team and will bring his spiritual outlook into the decision-making process at the executive level.”

Gaston is a graduate of Baylor University and Southwestern Seminary.

He and his wife, Susan, have two children and four grandchildren.