Hospice of East Texas Names New CEO
ip staff report
Hospice of East Texas recently announced that longtime healthcare leader Christi Baggett will assume the role of President and Chief Executive Officer effective January 15, 2026. Current President and CEO Marji Ream will transition to the role of CEO Emeritus through late spring, supporting leadership continuity during the change.
Baggett brings more than 20 years of experience in healthcare operations, strategic growth, and organizational leadership, all with deep roots at Hospice of East Texas. She has served as Chief Operating Officer for the past seven years, where she led system- wide operations, guided organizational growth initiatives, and strengthened the patient and family experience through collaborative, cross-departmental leadership.
Throughout her tenure, Baggett has held several key leadership roles, including Vice President of Operations and Innovation and Director of Information Management, while also serving as the organization’s HIPAA Security Officer. Prior to joining Hospice of East Texas, she held management positions within Trinity Mother Frances Health System.
Baggett earned a master’s degree in executive healthcare administration and a bachelor’s degree in applied arts and sciences with a minor in Psychology from the University of Texas at Tyler, graduating with honors.
The leadership transition follows the retirement announcement of Marji Ream, who has served as President and CEO for 21 years. After Ream’s announcement in September, a transition committee composed of current and former board directors led a comprehensive search process to identify the organization’s next CEO.
About Hospice of East Texas
Chartered in 1982, Hospice of East Texas is a nonprofit organization providing compassionate hospice services to individuals facing life-limiting illnesses across 23 counties in East Texas, wherever they call home. The organization is dedicated to enhancing quality of life for patients and families while offering comprehensive support to those who are grieving. As the longest-serving hospice organization in the region, Hospice of East Texas has earned a 5-star Medicare rating for caregiver and patient care for the past two years and continues to set the standard for compassionate end-of-life care in East Texas.
Congratulations to Marji Ream on retirement and Christi Baggett on your new role at Hospice of East Texas from the infinitieplus Magazine team!
