Commencement Speaker Profile

Joe B. Riley, MHA, RN, FACHE serves as chief executive officer for McAllen Medical Center, a thriving health care facility with over 400 beds and a medical staff of more than 400 physicians representing over 50 medical specialties in one of the fastest-growing areas in the nation.

As the senior leader of McAllen Medical Center, Riley is responsible for all strategic, operational, and administrative activities in the largest of the five South Texas Health System facilities in the Rio Grande Valley and Hidalgo County’s only Lead Level III Trauma Center. Other South Texas Health System facilities include: Edinburg Children’s Hospital, Edinburg Regional Medical Center, Edinburg Regional Rehab Center, McAllen Heart Hospital, South Texas Behavioral Health Center and Cornerstone Regional Hospital.

Riley brings over 20 years of executive experience in the acute health care field to his role at McAllen Medical Center. Prior to joining the Rio Grande Valley’s premier health care team, he held the position of chief executive officer of Central Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Miss., where he led all operational aspects of the 473-bed acute care hospital.

Riley’s very familiar with South Texas tradition, culture and geography even after having returned to the Rio Grande Valley after 10 years. He lived in the Rio Grande Valley while serving as the chief nursing officer for Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen.

Riley is a “Fellow” of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), the nation’s leading professional society for health care leaders. He holds a Master of Science in Health care Administration from Trinity University in San Antonio. He also holds a Bachelor of General Studies from West Texas State University as well as an associate’s degree in nursing from Amarillo College. Riley resides with his wife Mary Ann and three children in McAllen, Texas.