On August 22, Tim Grigsby, CEO of Dallas 24 Hour Club, took the stage at the Lone Star HFMA Summer Conference as a key member of the Health Equity Panel. Alongside Heather Emmanuel Ormand (CEO of Nexus Recovery Center), Kyla Rankin (Project Director at Parkland), and Dr. David Atkinson (Associate Professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center and Medical Director of Teen Recovery), Tim addressed critical issues surrounding addiction and its impact on health equity.
Tim’s insights were both powerful and candid, highlighting the importance of open dialogue in
addressing addiction. “Well, guess what? We talk about it. We talk openly and freely about it. If it’s hidden, it’s never going to be confronted,” Tim emphasized, underlining the necessity of breaking the silence surrounding addiction.
During the discussion, Jamie Hill-Walters, President of HFMA Lone Star Chapter, shared a resonant message about the importance of changing perceptions: “That’s why I’m so passionate about raising awareness about alcoholism and normalizing the conversation. When we close our eyes and think about an alcoholic or someone who is homeless, we all think about someone under the bridge. Even me! I’m an alcoholic and that’s what I picture as well. The more we normalize talking about alcoholism and homelessness, we change our unconscious bias and practice compassion.”
Tim echoed this sentiment as he discussed the nature of addiction, noting its profound impact on those affected:
“…because once I start, I can’t control how much I take. It hijacks my brain.” He further described addiction as “an equal opportunity destroyer of lives,” stressing that no one is immune from its effects.
As the CEO of Dallas 24 Hour Club, Tim continues to lead the charge in providing support and resources for individuals battling addiction, making significant strides toward health equity in the community.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Jamie Hill-Walters, President of HFMA Lone Star Chapter, for including us in this powerful discussion about addiction and recovery, and for centering this panel around our mission. Her support has made a meaningful impact on our work and the lives we touch.
