David Helfer, FACHE, CMPE

Prior to his retirement, Dave was the president of the Texas Institute for Surgery at Texas Health Presbyterian Dallas Hospital—an acute care, for-profit partnered entity between independent physicians and Texas Health Resources system. Now, Dave owns his own Coaching Company, Illumination from Within™, and can be reached at davidhelfer@illuminationfromwithin.com

He is a graduate of the Coach Academy International organization located in Dallas, which is a member of the Association of Coach Training Organizations. He holds board certification from the Center for Credentialing and Education as well as Associate Certified Coach level of certification from the International Coach Federation. He was named “Mentor of the Year” two years running by the ACHE of North Texas and has served as a mentor and career/executive coach for hundreds of clients over the past five years.

Despite an extensive background in healthcare, Dave has conducted private coaching and consultation services to leadership staff and those that wish to advance in the careers in almost every industry.

Dave is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He also holds a master’s degree in adult education and a bachelor’s degree in behavioral sciences, both of which were earned at National Louis University in Evanston, Ill.  Dave earned a certificate in Advanced Leadership and Management skills from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He remains a member of the University of Texas-Dallas Executive Healthcare Council and has taught there as an adjunct lecturer.

Dave has worked in healthcare for nearly thirty years as a clinician, manager, executive and consultant in small and large health systems throughout the U.S. Before joining the Texas Institute for Surgery, he was a senior vice president at a physician-owned consulting company and, before that, he worked as a divisional senior vice president and executive director with CHI St. Luke’s Health in Houston, operating Woodlands (Texas) Hospital. At the same time, he had executive responsibilities within the St. Luke’s Medical Center flagship hospital.

He possesses an extensive clinical background as a licensed emergency medical technician in Texas and Virginia, a registered cardiovascular technologist and a certified pulmonary technician. Dave has managed numerous clinical departments ranging from cardiovascular, emergency and surgical services. He has both domestic and international healthcare experience having worked on projects in Aruba, Guatemala, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Croatia.

Dave served in the U.S. Army between 1973 and 1976, and was stationed in Fort Bragg, 82nd Airborne Division and worked as a helicopter electrician. He was honorably discharged as a Sergeant E-5. His first job in a hospital was as a phlebotomist drawing blood on patients, before working his way up to president of a hospital.