TTU System Names Kara Crawford Vice Chancellor for Health Initiatives
June 16, 2026 | Kristina Woods Butler
The Texas Tech University System (TTU System) announced today (June 16) the appointment of Kara Crawford as vice chancellor
for health initiatives, a new executive leadership position created to strengthen
the system's health-related priorities and support continued growth across its universities.
Crawford will begin her role on June 22 and will be based in the TTU System’s Austin
office.
Health care represents one of the system’s most important missions and one of the most significant ways it serves Texas. Through its two health-related institutions, research enterprises, clinical operations and distinguished health education programs embedded throughout its component universities, the system is advancing patient care, preparing the next generation of health professionals and improving the health and well-being of communities across the state.
As vice chancellor for health initiatives, Crawford will lead strategic efforts to advance the TTU System’s health-related priorities, strengthen relationships with state and federal policymakers and support initiatives that expand access to care, advance health professions education and enhance the system’s impact on the communities it serves. She will work closely with the Office of Government Relations and serve as a resource for the system’s university presidents.
“Health care is one of the Texas Tech University System’s greatest responsibilities and opportunities to serve the people of Texas,” Chancellor Brandon Creighton said. “Kara’s exceptional experience in health policy, governmental relations and strategic leadership will strengthen our ability to advance innovative solutions, expand access to care and support the continued growth of our health-related institutions. She understands how to build partnerships, navigate complex policy issues and deliver meaningful results, and we are excited to welcome her to our leadership team.”
Crawford brings more than 18 years of experience in health care policy, governmental relations and strategic leadership across state government and academic health care. Most recently, she served as vice president for governmental relations at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, where she led legislative and regulatory initiatives and secured more than $100 million in new state funding to support behavioral health, public health and clinical workforce development.
In that role, she directed institutional engagement on more than 600 legislative proposals while serving as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on legislative strategy, policy risk and regulatory developments. She cultivated bipartisan relationships with elected officials, agency executives and key policy stakeholders while representing the institution on issues involving Medicaid finance, hospital funding mechanisms and health system regulatory frameworks.
Her career also includes senior leadership positions with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, where she served as chief of staff, and the Office of Governor Greg Abbott, where she served as senior budget and policy advisor. In those roles, she helped shape statewide health policy, coordinated implementation of the Texas 1115 Medicaid Waiver program and built a statewide coalition of more than 900 rural and urban hospitals to advance Medicaid reforms and strengthen hospital financing across Texas.
Crawford earned a Master of Public Administration from Texas State University, a Bachelor of Science in English Education from Metropolitan State College of Denver, and a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication from Kansas State University. She also serves on UTHealth Houston’s University Leadership Council, University Executive Council and Development Board.