A Calling Fulfilled

“Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” 

It might be a cliché, but it couldn't be more accurate for Joel Allison, BA ’70. 

Allison was born and raised in Central Missouri, where he played football and basketball and ran track and field. He was also heavily involved in the school newspaper, serving as the executive editor his senior year. 

As he approached his graduation in 1966, he sensed a calling toward ministry. His mother greatly influenced his faith, and he felt God opening that door for him.

“I was very involved in our church while I was in high school,” Allison said. “I felt the Lord was calling me into some sort of ministry.” 

His mother was also determined for Allison to earn a college degree. He was interested in attending a Baptist school, but knew he would need a scholarship. Some schools had shown interest in his football abilities, so Allison decided if either Baylor University or Wake Forest University offered, he would accept. 

At the Lord’s direction, Allison was offered an athletic and academic scholarship from Baylor. He left for Waco, where he was part of the Baylor Football team all four years—lettering in 1969—and studied religion and journalism. 

“The best thing that ever happened to me was getting that scholarship with the Lord’s will,” he said. “I received a great education. I found my wonderful and beautiful wife, Diane. And I found my calling for what my life’s work would be.” 

That calling turned out to be the ministry of healing. After graduating from Baylor in 1970, Allison joined the United States Marine Corps, serving on active duty for six months and in the reserves for five and a half years. Allison credits his time in the Marines for teaching him loyalty and how to lead others, respecting all levels of the organization. 

While in the reserves, Allison started a master’s degree in healthcare administration at Trinity University in San Antonio. The program required one year of on-campus courses and another year of administrative residency, which Allison served at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene, Texas. 

Allison worked under Boone Powell Jr., BBA ’59, the CEO of Hendrick, who served as Allison’s preceptor. After finishing his residency and the master’s program, Powell offered him his first position at Hendrick. He started as an administrative assistant overseeing a few support services. A year and a half later, Allison was promoted to vice president. 

Powell impacted his career in a significant way, Allison said. Powell wasn’t just his preceptor but his mentor and advisor. 

“He was a wonderful leader,” he said. “He is a wonderful person. He was a great influence as a Christian leader and businessman. I learned a tremendous amount working under Boone.” 

After 10 years at Hendrick, Allison stepped into his first CEO role at a hospital in Saint Joseph, Missouri. He was young and admits he didn’t know how to ask the right questions, but it was a great experience and he learned more about how a great team works. After a stop in Amarillo, Texas, Allison moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, to join Driscoll Children’s Hospital. 

“Every time, I felt like God was calling me to these places,” he said. “I found myself wanting to do the Christian ministry of healing and be able to express my belief about being in this ministry.” 

In 1993, Allison reconnected with Boone, who brought him to the Baylor Health Care System as the senior executive vice president and chief operating officer. In 2000, Allison was promoted to president and CEO when Boone retired. In 2013, Allison oversaw the merger of Baylor and Scott & White Healthcare into Baylor Scott & White Health. He was asked to stay on as CEO, which he held until his retirement in May 2017. 

In his more than 40 years of service, Allison achieved many feats and faced numerous challenges. What he loved most about his work was the people, he said. 

“Many of the physicians, the nurses, the clinical and support staff—they were there because they felt they were called,” Allison said. “It was their mission. They cared and wanted to take care of their patients.” 

That shared passion and drive inspired Allison each and every day, he said. It wasn’t about the work; it was about serving others. 

In 2010, while still in his career, Allison was contacted by Scott Garner, a faculty member at Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business (HSB). The Business School was starting a new healthcare administration program, the Robbins Healthcare MBA Program, to further health policy, research and education. Garner asked Allison to serve on the advisory board, which he gladly accepted. 

“I thought it was great that Baylor was going to offer this program,” he said. “I know anything Baylor offers is going to be high quality, and it is going to be the best. I was glad to help in any way that I could.” 

After he retired from Baylor Scott & White, Allison and his wife moved to Waco, where he began teaching leadership courses as a senior advisor. Doing so allowed him to stay connected to the industry, which he appreciated. 

During the summer of 2023, Baylor decided to create an executive-in-residence position for the Robbins Healthcare MBA Program. Allison was the first person named to the role. 

“I was humbled to do that,” Allison said. 

His responsibilities include mentoring the students and assisting the staff and faculty in any way that he can. He loves serving both groups, he said. He is inspired by their bright minds and approaches to healthcare issues. 

In the 54 years since he graduated from Baylor, Allison doesn’t believe he has worked a day in his life. He loved partnering with people to overcome challenges, find new solutions and heal others. Even now, in a different role than before, he is still approaching his job with a passion for others. He credits God with that drive to serve. 

“God has a plan for you, and our challenge is to find that plan,” he said. “I always felt like it was His plan for me to be in the ministry of healing.”